39 
19 Bethune-Cookman used a fast start and a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away from Florida A&M, earning a 39–19 victory in the 2016 Florida Blue Florida Classic at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
Quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. turned in a composed, efficient performance to earn MVP honors, completing 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown. His steady command of the Wildcats’ offense helped B-CU control the game’s tempo from start to finish.
FAMU struck first with a 33-yard field goal from Colby Blanton, but Bethune-Cookman answered quickly. Brihm found Frank Brown for a 14-yard touchdown, and moments later, Tupac Isme punched in a 2-yard score to give the Wildcats a 14–3 lead after the opening quarter.
B-CU extended the lead to 21–3 in the second quarter when Jamaruz Thompkins powered in from one yard out, but Florida A&M responded before halftime. Devin Bowers connected with Desmond Noird on a 27-yard trick-play touchdown pass, trimming the margin to 21–10 at the break.
The Rattlers pulled within one possession early in the third quarter after a 26-yard Blanton field goal, but the Wildcats tightened defensively and controlled the rest of the game with their running attack.
The fourth quarter belonged to Bethune-Cookman.
Backup quarterback Akevious Williams ignited the Wildcats with a 7-yard touchdown run, then broke free later for a 43-yard scoring burst, stretching the lead to 33–13. Though FAMU’s Devin Bowers answered with a 3-yard touchdown run, the Wildcats sealed the game late in the quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run from Jamaruz Thompkins, his second score of the afternoon.
B-CU wore FAMU down with a balanced, physical ground effort, piling up chunk plays in the final period to put the game out of reach.
Thompkins led the Wildcats on the ground with 66 yards and two touchdowns, while Frank Brown’s 68 receiving yards and an early touchdown paced the passing attack.
Florida A&M’s offense struggled to find consistency, with missed opportunities and late drives stalling as Bethune-Cookman pulled away.
Behind Brihm’s efficiency and a dominant fourth quarter, the Wildcats claimed another decisive win in the storied rivalry.