27 
31 In one of the most explosive Florida Classic matchups of the decade, Bethune-Cookman outlasted Florida A&M, 31–27, in a back-and-forth battle at Tampa Stadium.
Bethune-Cookman amassed 411 total yards and used a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally past the Rattlers, who were buoyed by big plays of their own, including a 98-yard kickoff return.
Florida A&M struck first when Billy Wilson capped the opening drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, though the PAT failed. Moments later, B-CC responded with the game’s longest offensive play: Bernard Hawk hit Remi Watson in stride for an 80-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats in front, 7–6. Maurice Freeman’s 32-yard field goal gave FAMU a 9–7 lead after one quarter.
The teams traded scores in the second. B-CC regained the lead on a 6-yard touchdown run from Green, only for the Rattlers to answer with a momentum-shifting strike—Mike Kelly connected with Roger Campbell for a 45-yard touchdown, and Kelly then found Carl Williams for the two-point conversion. The Wildcats tied the game at 17–17 just before halftime with a Manny Manolas 32-yard field goal.
After the teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, Bethune-Cookman grabbed control in the final period. Hawk delivered again, hitting Sebastian Brown for a 17-yard touchdown to push the Wildcats ahead 27–20. FAMU responded instantly when Billy Wilson raced 98 yards on the ensuing kickoff to tie the game.
B-CC answered with the game-winning drive, capped by Charles Graham’s 1-yard touchdown run, and the Wildcats’ defense held firm in the final minutes to secure the 31–27 victory.
Remi Watson was the afternoon’s standout, piling up 175 receiving yards on five catches, including the 80-yard score. Hawk finished with 257 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
FAMU was powered by Tony Barber’s 109 rushing yards on 19 carries, while quarterback Mike Kelly passed for 159 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception.
Despite being outgained, the Rattlers stayed in striking distance through timely scoring and special teams heroics, but Bethune-Cookman’s balanced attack and late push lifted the Wildcats to a hard-earned rivalry win.