37 
10 Bethune-Cookman dominated defensively, capitalized on turnovers, and exploded late to defeat Florida A&M, 37–10, in the 2002 Florida Classic at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Wildcats set the tone early with a pick-six and controlled the game from start to finish, using a balanced attack and a 20-point fourth quarter to pull away. Quarterback Lawrence McCloud earned B-CC MVP honors with an efficient passing performance, completing 7 of 9 throws for 162 yards and a touchdown while adding 51 rushing yards.
Bethune-Cookman struck immediately when Trevor Merritt returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 7–0 lead. Jonathon Thomas later added a field goal to extend the margin to 10–0 at the end of the first quarter. Akevious Williams pushed the lead further with a 14-yard touchdown run early in the second.
Florida A&M briefly gained momentum with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Stanley to Marcus Williams, trimming the deficit to 17–7. But B-CC responded before halftime when Williams found Steffon Francois for a 28-yard touchdown to make it 17–3 at the break.
The Rattlers cut the lead again in the third quarter when David Manigo hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Stanley, but the missed PAT kept B-CC ahead 24–10. FAMU continued to move the ball—finishing with 505 total yards—but turnovers killed drives, as Reggie Hayes threw three costly interceptions while also leading the team with 76 rushing yards.
Bethune-Cookman took full control in the fourth quarter. Thomas added a 25-yard field goal, and Isaac Washington followed with a 15-yard touchdown run. Lomant Finnie then delivered the knockout blow with a 98-yard touchdown run—one of the longest in Classic history—pushing the Wildcats firmly ahead.
Erik Lash starred for the Wildcats, finishing with 160 receiving yards on six catches, while McCloud efficiently guided the offense and protected the football.
Despite outgaining B-CC, the Rattlers couldn’t overcome turnovers and missed opportunities. Andrae Harrison led FAMU with 126 receiving yards on two receptions, while Stanley and Hayes combined for 294 passing yards.
Bethune-Cookman’s opportunistic defense and explosive playmaking down the stretch secured a convincing rivalry win in Orlando.