ORLANDO -- All good things must end, even nine-game winning streaks.
A promising Bethune-Cookman start faded at Saturday's Florida Blue Florida Classic as 25
th-ranked Florida A&M snapped the Wildcats' nine-game series victory streak with a 46-21 victory before a Camping World Stadium crowd of 54,198 and a national ESPN audience.
Florida A&M (9-2) scored on two third-quarter fumble returns as the Rattlers broke open a 13-7 halftime game with 30 points, with another seven coming off a B-CU turnover.
B-CU started the game strong, with Devon Black connecting with Darryl Powell on an 82-yard strike on the first play of scrimmage.
FAMU answered with Xavier Smith's 48 yard pass from Rasean McKay, but the Wildcats blocked the PAT to keep the lead
at 7-6.
Jaylen McCloud gave FAMU a 13-7 lead with
3:44remaining in the first quarter.
The teams were scoreless in the second quarter, with two Ben Lennon punts keeping the Rattlers pinned deep in their territory.
Black, who finished 10 of 13 for 231 yards, connected with
Kemari Averett on a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns and was named B-CU's MVP.
Powell also had receptions of 43- and 39 yards to finish the day with 164 yards receiving. Averett finished with six catches for 64 yards.
Defensively,
Malik Franklin had a team-high 10 tackles, with
Omari Hill-Robinson, Cal Sutherland and Henry Miller posting six each.
B-CU finishes the 2021 season with a 2-9 record.