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16 Florida A&M leaned on a dominant rushing attack and a stout defensive effort to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 16–6, in the 1986 Florida Classic at Tampa Stadium.
The Rattlers pounded out 301 rushing yards on 58 attempts and held B-CC without a touchdown, controlling the game despite the Wildcats’ advantage through the air.
FAMU struck first in the opening quarter when Tony Barber capped a methodical drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. Maurice Freeman’s PAT put the Rattlers ahead 7–0. Bethune-Cookman responded in the second quarter with a 40-yard field goal from Manny Manolas, cutting the deficit to 7–3 at halftime.
Manolas added another long field goal—this one from 43 yards—in the third quarter to bring the Wildcats within 7–6. But just moments later, the game’s defining play swung the momentum back to Florida A&M. Reggie Jones broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run, pushing the Rattlers’ lead to 13–6 after the missed extra point.
FAMU continued to control the clock and the trenches throughout the fourth quarter, adding a 23-yard field goal from Freeman to extend the lead to the final margin.
Jones was the offensive star for the Rattlers, finishing with 146 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Barber also contributed with hard running and 20 receiving yards, while quarterback Oscar Williams managed the offense efficiently.
Bethune-Cookman found success through the air—Anthony Thomas threw for 162 yards—but the Wildcats were hampered by three interceptions and a rushing attack held to just 81 yards. Kevin Finnie led B-CC on the ground with 62 yards, and Stevie Thomas added 75 receiving yards on four catches.
Florida A&M’s ball-control offense and opportunistic defense proved too much, securing a steady, workmanlike rivalry win in the 1986 Classic.