FINAL
21 
21 MVP
GAME LEADERS
1 TD
1 TD
November 17, 2012
The 2012 Florida Blue Florida Classic ended in a rare stalemate, as Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman battled to a 21–21 tie at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Both teams traded scoring bursts and defensive stands throughout the afternoon, but neither side could break through late as the rivalry logged one of its few deadlocked finishes in history.
Bethune-Cookman rode the all-around play of MVP Isidore Jackson, who totaled 118 yards from scrimmage and a long touchdown run, while Florida A&M leaned on the poise and efficiency of quarterback Damien Fleming, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 166 yards and a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Florida A&M opened the scoring with a 20-yard field goal from Chase Varnadore before Bethune-Cookman answered on its next possession. Quentin Williams capped a short drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Poole to give the Wildcats a 7–3 lead. FAMU responded early in the second quarter with the game’s first big play — a 41-yard touchdown burst from James Owens — putting the Rattlers back in front 10–7.
Defense ruled the rest of the first half, with both teams trading punts and third-down stops to head into the locker room with FAMU holding its slim advantage.
Bethune-Cookman seized momentum early in the third quarter when Jackson broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown run, regaining the lead at 14–10. The Rattlers again answered, this time with a quick-hitting scoring drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown plunge from Androni Lovette to tie the game at 14–14 heading into the fourth.
The Wildcats struck first in the final period when Lovette scored again from 1 yard out, making it 21–14. But Fleming delivered under pressure on the ensuing drive, connecting with Dewayne Harvey on a 37-yard touchdown strike down the left sideline. The extra point, however, was blocked — a play that ultimately preserved the deadlock as neither offense found the end zone again.
Williams finished with 206 total yards for Bethune-Cookman (120 passing, 86 rushing), while Jackson added 77 yards on the ground. For FAMU, Eddie Rocker provided steady production with 69 rushing yards on 17 carries, and Harvey led the receivers with 50 yards.
In a matchup marked by long scoring runs, timely defensive stops, and clutch quarterback play, the 2012 Classic fittingly concluded without a winner — a hard-fought draw that reflected the evenly matched nature of the contest from start to finish.