BY TED TAYLOR

The Rattlers of Florida A & M got a taste of big time college football on Saturday evening in Tampa, but it was not a good taste. The University of South Florida Bulls crushed the Snakes to the tune of 70-17, in Raymond James Stadium before a crowd of 50,128.

USF took the opening kickoff and marched 64 yards in six plays scoring on a 43-yard bomb from quarterback B. J. Daniels to receiver A. J. Love in just 1:46.  From there the romp was on.

USF followed with first quarter touchdowns on runs of 6 yards by running back Darrell Scott and 5 yards by Daniels. Each drive took less than two minutes.

Things finally started to look up for FAMU when quarterback Austin Trainor hit running back Lavante Page on a 4-yard toss.  The key play was a 48-yard interception return by cornerback Devontae Johnson.

USF was not fazed, however, answering quickly on a 56-yard run by Scott.  FAMU scored again on its next drive on a Trainor 32-yarder to receiver Edmund Baker. USF scored 21 unanswered points for a 49-14 halftime lead.

The second half began as the first half ended.  After going nowhere on the opening drive, FAMU saw USF tally again on a run of 30 yards by Scott.  The 56-14 lead was enough for the starters to retire for the evening.  Later in the quarter, Andre Davis blocked and ran in a FAMU punt from 11 yards.

The reserves scored on a 2-yard run by Marcus Shaw. FAMU second-string quarterback freshmen Damien Fleming engineered a drive that led to a 34-yard field goal by Trevor Scott.

FAMU travels to Atlanta next weekend for a battle against Southern University in the Atlanta Classic.  Southern, of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, replaces longtime opponent Tennessee State.

Pictured: The family of the late Lee Roy Selmon participated in the coin toss during Saturday night’s game at Raymond James Stadium. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)