Rattlers end 9-game losing streak to B-CU

ORLANDO

Welcome home, BJ Bohler.

The former Ocoee High star, who transferred from Mercer to Florida A&M in 2019, returned to Orlando for the Florida Classic on Saturday, and he made it a personal showcase.

The FAMU defensive back had a first-half interception that led to an eventual touchdown, stripped a Bethune-Cookman receiver, recovered the ball and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown.

Bohler’s takeaways were just a part of FAMU’s big day at Camping World Stadium, as the Rattlers (9-2) rolled to a 46-21 victory and stopped a nine-game losing streak in the rivalry and kept themselves alive for a postseason playoff invitation. The FCS playoff pairings will be announced Sunday.

There was a flurry of momentum plays from the start. Bohler was in the middle of it, and that included a 30-point third quarter for the Rattlers.

The first five minutes featured an 82-yard touchdown pass, Bohler’s interception that led to a 48-yard touchdown pass and a blocked extra point that was returned the other way for a two-point score but was wiped out because of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

All that made for an early 7-6 lead for Bethune-Cookman (2-9). Then the Wildcats fell apart — three straight fumbles, three straight touchdowns.

FAMU had a pair of traditional touchdown drives and then another fumble by B-CU led to Bishop Bonnett’s 38-yard touchdown run. Bonnett finished with 128 years on 19 carries.

Another B-CU fumble was recovered by FAMU’s Gentle Hunt and returned 46 yards for a touchdown.

In just over one minute, FAMU turned a 22-7 lead into a 43-7 laugher with still another quarter left to play.

Bethune cranked things up early. Receiver Darryl Powell Jr. (three catches, 164 yards) slipped behind the defense and quarterback Devin Black hit him in stride for an 82-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage.

FAMU answered. Rasean McKay connected with Xavier Smith (six catches, 82 yards), and he juked a B-CU defender for a 48-yard touchdown.

B-CU’s Mason Hall blocked the point-after attempt and Devuntray Hampton returned it for what appeared to be 2 points. Hampton, however, was flagged for doing a flip across the goal line, negating the return as the Wildcats maintained a 7-6 lead.