FINAL
20 
25 GAME LEADERS
1 INT
1 INT
November 24, 1979
Bethune-Cookman used a strong rushing attack and a key second-half push to edge Florida A&M, 25–20, in the 1979 edition of the Florida Classic at Tampa Stadium.
Florida A&M controlled much of the early action, outgaining B-CC 378–330 and piling up 300 rushing yards, but the Wildcats capitalized on timely scoring and a pair of fourth-quarter stops to secure the victory.
Bethune-Cookman opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal from Dennis Daniels, but FAMU struck back quickly. Bobby Hawkins powered in a 5-yard touchdown run, then added a 2-yard score early in the second quarter to give the Rattlers a 14–3 lead.
B-CC responded with momentum of its own. Rickey Claitt capped a drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and though the extra point was missed, Daniels later connected on a 37-yard field goal to pull the Wildcats within 14–12. FAMU extended its lead late in the half when Earl Solomon broke free for an 11-yard touchdown run, putting the Rattlers ahead 20–12 at the break.
The second half belonged to the Wildcats.
B-CC quarterback Nathaniel Harris found Robert Young for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, trimming the margin to 20–18. Claitt then delivered the game’s decisive score with a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, pushing Bethune-Cookman ahead 25–20 after the Daniels extra point.
Despite FAMU’s statistical edge—including a 199-yard rushing performance from Archie Jones—the Rattlers were shut out in the second half. Quarterback Sammy Knight finished 5-of-14 for 78 yards with one interception.
Bethune-Cookman countered with a powerful ground game of its own, racking up 291 rushing yards. Claitt led the way with 79 yards on 17 carries, while Pete Lang added 28 passing yards and an interception.
A stingy second-half defensive effort and timely scoring allowed Bethune-Cookman to secure the come-from-behind victory, adding another dramatic chapter to the storied rivalry.