BY TED TAYLOR

The Tennessee State Tigers returned to Bragg Stadium for the first time since 1997 to spoil the home opener for Florida A & M University.

The longtime rivalry took a detour through Atlanta from 1998-2010, resuming last year in Nashville. On Saturday afternoon, the Tigers used the Florida heat, scoring with every phase of the game to wear down the Rattlers 27-7, before 14,237. From the outset, TSU sent a message to FAMU when defensive back David Van Dyke returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown on the fifth play of the game.

On its next possession, runningback Tim Broughton used a 10-yard dash to increase the first quarter lead to 14-0. Early in the second frame, FAMU quarterback Damien Fleming found wide receiver Lenworth Lennon in the end zone to cut the lead in half. The momentum lasted no longer than the timeout as Mart Stevenson returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards up the middle for a 21-7 lead that stood to halftime.

TSU went on a 13-play, 76-yard, 7:00 drive to open the second half, to stretch the lead to 27-7. The point-after kick was no good. The Rattler offense remained in hibernation having the ball for only 3:13 in the third quarter, and just a minute more in the fourth. Despite not scoring anymore, TSU was in control as they wore down the Rattler defense for 105 rushing yards on 15 attempts in the fourth quarter. FAMU was held to 22 yards on the ground on 24 attempts while TSU gained 268 yards on 45 rushes.

Also, FAMU was held to 9 first downs. The Rattlers will be at home again next weekend against Stamford University of Birmingham, Alabama. It will be the first meeting ever between the two schools.