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52 In the highest-scoring Florida Classic ever played and one of the wildest games in the rivalry’s history, Bethune-Cookman outlasted Florida A&M, 58–52, in overtime in the 2004 Walt Disney World Florida Classic presented by State Farm at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The two teams combined for 1,152 yards of offense, 110 points, 14 touchdowns, and countless momentum swings before B-CU finally secured the win with a touchdown in the extra period.
Florida A&M surged ahead early behind quarterback Ben Dougherty, the Rattlers’ MVP, who delivered one of the greatest individual performances in Classic history. Dougherty threw for 462 yards and six touchdowns, including first-half scoring strikes of 53 yards to Roosevelt Kiser, 14 yards to Ronald Wright, 9 yards to LeVon Gorham, and 5 yards to Gerard Morgan as FAMU built leads of 21–7 and 38–14.
But Bethune-Cookman refused to fade.
The Wildcats answered with explosive plays of their own, beginning with an 88-yard touchdown pass from Jimmie Russell to Richar Woodbury and a 94-yard kickoff return from Kyle Herbert. B-CU continued chipping away as Eric Weems scored on a 10-yard run and Jesus Cortez drilled a 35-yard field goal, narrowing the halftime margin to 38–24.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth scoring avalanche.
Russell led the Wildcats on a scoring drive capped by Xavier Butler’s 4-yard run, but FAMU responded with another deep strike—Dougherty hit Kiser again, this time for a 66-yard touchdown. After B-CU tied the game with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Butler and Jonatha Summers, FAMU regained a brief lead on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Dougherty to Rashard Pompey.
Bethune-Cookman forced overtime when Russell powered in from 12 yards out with just minutes remaining.
In overtime, the Wildcats sealed the victory with a 15-yard touchdown run from Rodney Johnson. The Rattlers were unable to answer, giving B-CU the dramatic win.
Russell earned MVP honors for Bethune-Cookman after amassing 426 total yards—325 through the air and 101 on the ground—while accounting for two touchdowns. Weems added 116 receiving yards on nine catches.
For FAMU, Kiser was nearly unstoppable, catching five passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Pompey added 86 rushing yards and a receiving score.
Bethune-Cookman’s resilience, explosive playmaking, and overtime execution allowed the Wildcats to prevail in a record-setting shootout that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Classics ever played.