BY TED TAYLOR

Florida A & M University propelled a dominating first half into a 27-10, victory on Sunday afternoon in Orlando over Mississippi Valley State University of Itta Bena, Mississippi. This was the 9th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, a battle between the two major Historically Black Colleges and Universities athletic conferences, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The was a two-fold celebration as it also heralded the return of the famed Marching 100 band from a 21-month suspension resulting from the hazing death of a drum major following the Florida Classic in Orlando in 2011.

FAMU jumped to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 6-yard run by quarterback Damien Fleming. The second quarter began with a 1-yard run by reserve runningback Omari Albert, culminating a 16-play, 96-yard drive, using 8:07. The Rattlers made it a 20-0 halftime lead on field goals of 27 and 23 yards by Chase Varnadore. The Delta Devils’ offense was held to 86 yards in the half.

MVSU finally got on the board late in the third quarter on a 21-yard field goal by Cherchen Galon. Early in the fourth, backup quarterback Jeremy Collins scored on a 2-yard run to cut the score in half. Late in the game, FAMU added an insurance touchdown on a 15-yard scamper by backup tailback Al-Terek McBurse. The drive covered 75 yards in 12 plays, all running plays, consuming 6:40.

FAMU will entertain the Tennessee State Tigers in a non-conference home opener in Bragg Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The 0-1 Tigers of the Ohio Valley Conference lost a defensive battle to Bethune-Cookman University 12-9, on last Sunday night in Nashville.