ORLANDO, Fla. - The Wildcats look finish off the 2023 season with three straight victories as they face the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Florida Classic rivalry game. The matchup will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.


Saturday, Nov. 18
Opponent: Florida A&M (9-1, 7-0 SWAC)
Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
Location: Camping World Stadium
Live Stats: https://famuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Watch: ESPNU
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/cateyenetwork



Bethune-Cookman rushed for a season-best 412 yards and four touchdowns Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats defeated visiting Alabama A&M, 31-14 at Daytona Stadium.
 
Three Wildcats recorded 100 yards or more rushing on the day, led by Walter Simmons III with a game-high 165.
 
Alabama A&M led 14-7 at the half.
 
Bethune-Cookman cut into the lead midway through the third quarter off the strength of a four-play drive, culminating in a 27-yard field goal from Cade Hechter. The Wildcats trailed 14-10 with 1:55 remaining in the period.
 
The Cats would outscore the Bulldogs 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
 
Alabama A&M punter Austin McCready placed a kick inside the one-yard line, leaving BCU to drive 99 yards for the potential go-ahead score. Eight plays later, running back Mar'Kai Shaw took a Walter Simmons III handoff up the middle racing 52 yards to the end zone. The extra point from Hechter was good, allowing the Maroon and Gold to take a 17-14 lead. On the drive, the Cats ran seven of eight plays, including four runs from Robinson.
 
The Bulldogs were forced into a three-and-out on the next drive, as the BCU defense upped the intensity throughout the final 30 minutes.
 
On the ensuing BCU drive, the Wildcats went 80 yards for the score on another eight-play drive that took 4:06 off the clock.
 
Walter Simmons – having entered the game behind center in the first half after an injury to starting quarterback Tylik Bethea, scampered 47 yards on a quarterback keeper for a touchdown. Earlier on the drive, Robinson took a handoff around the right side for 18 yards.
 
Omari Hill-Robinson stepped in front of a Quincy Casey pass at the AAMU 48-yard line for what was the AAMU quarterback's second interception of the afternoon. It would take just three plays for Simmons to tack on his second score of the day with a 22-yard rush right up the middle to extend the Wildcats lead, 31-14.
 
Alabama A&M opened the game's scoring following one of BCU's three fumbles in the game. Casey quickly responded with a 19-yard touchdown strike down the middle to Cameron Young for the 7-0 advantage – following the extra point from Victoria Barbosa.
 
One play into the second quarter, backup quarterback Xavier Lankford accepted the snap and rushed left into the end zone untouched for the 14-0 Bulldogs lead.
 
BCU immediately answered with a long drive (10 plays) with the Wildcats going 62 yards to halve the deficit. A heavy dose of Simmons and Robinson concluded with Simmons charging up the middle for the score and bringing the hosts into the game at 14-7.
 
AAMU was led on the day by Casey with 57 yards rushing, while teammate Donovan Eaglin finished with 42 yards on the ground. Casey would complete the day 17 of 31 passing for 171 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Cameron Young was the leading receiver with six receptions for 68 yards and a score.
 
The Bulldogs defense was headlined by Jordan Mitchell with 14 tackles (seven solo) and Kaleb Dawson with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
 
BCU looked towards Simmons with 165 yards rushing and three scores. Robinson had 137 yards rushing, while teammate Shaw had 109 yards on the ground with a touchdown of his own. Seven different receivers hauled in a catch in the game, including two apiece from Omari Stewart and Nebanye Moore.
 
The defense of the Wildcats used nine tackles from Dearis Thomas with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Joshua Thornhill had eight tackles, a quarterback sack and an interception.
 



Florida A&M has gone undeated in SWAC play and has already clinched the conference's best record. They are currently on an eight-game winning streak that spans back to September 16th. Their lone loss came against UCF.

The Rattlers top the SWAC in scoring (30.9 ppg) and are tied for first in fewest points allowed (15.0 ppg). They are also number one in fewest yards allowed, fewest rushing yards allowed, and sacks.

Their passing offense, led by graduate quarterback Jeremy Moussa, also ranks atop the conference. Moussa has thrown for 2266 passing yards with 18 touchdowns, both ,ead the league.

FAMU takes a running back by committee approach, with three players having over 300 rushing yards. Graduate Terrell Jennings leads the team with 436 yards and five touchdowns, while redshirt junior Jaquez Yant has contributed five touchdowns of his own.

Defensively, the Rattlers have 14 players with at least one sack this season. Sophomore Anthony Dunn Jr. is the team leader with eight sacks along with 11 tackles-for-loss. Gentle Hunt is second with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss. FAMU also has nine players with one interception.

FAMU has yet to allow 30 or more points in a game this season, and they have scored 20+ points in every game.

• Both teams have played at a neutral site this season. The Wildcats lost their game against Southern at Everbank Stadium, while the Rattlers defeated Jackson State at Hard Rock Stadium.
• B-CU has not won three straight games since 2019.
• B-CU's 412 rushing yards against Alabama A&M was the highest total in any SWAC game this season.
• Florida A&M has not trailed in a game since October 21st against Texas Southern.
• A Rattlers' win would make it three straight seasons in which a team has gone 8-0 in SWAC play.
• Newcomer of the Week Mar'Kai Shaw has a touchdown (one passing, one rushing) in both of his appearances for Bethune-Cookman this season.

The historic rivalry between Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M spans all the way back to 1925. The Rattlers lead the all-time series between these two teams, 24-41-1 and have won the previous two contests.

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