Nov. 17, 2007

Final Stats

Orlando, Fla. - by Dan Ryan

Justin Brannon rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown, and Bethune-Cookman capitalized on four Florida A&M turnovers for a 34-7 victory in the Walt Disney World Florida Classic Presented by State Farm Saturday evening before a Florida Citrus Bowl of 65,367.

Brannon, a senior from Jacksonville, Fla., keyed a 336-yard rushing effort for the Wildcats (5-6), who snapped a two-game losing streak to the Rattlers (3-8) in the season finale for both teams. He also caught one pass for 25 yards.

Bethune-Cookman turned the four fumbles into 21 points, including a 36-yard fumbled punt return by Ben Ballard that gave Bethune-Cookman a 21-7 halftime lead.

The Wildcats extended their lead to 31-7 after three quarters on the strength of the first of two Lucas Equivel field goals and a 27-yard run by back-up quarterback McKinson Souverain with 4:50 remaining in the third period.

Staring quarterback Jimmie Russel threw for 78 yards in addition to rushing for 54 yards and one touchdown. The senior from Jonesboro, Ga., became just the third B-CU quarterback in history to beat archrival FAMU twice, joining Reggie Beverly (1973 and 1974) and Allen Suber (2002 and 2003).

Paul Kirkland added 81 yards on six carries, mostly on end around plays

B-CU's defense, anchored by 12 tackles from Ronnie McCullough and Ballard's seven tackles and two fumble recoveries, limited the Rattlers to nine first downs and 158 yards. The Wildcats held possession for 41:36 to just 18:24 for the Rattlers.

Ben Ballard returns a fumble for TD [photo by Sideline Sports]

FAMU's lone score was a 24-yard pass from Eddie Battle to Jarvis Funderbirk with 4:01 remaining in the first half. Battle finished 8 of 13 for 57 yards, while Phil Sylvester gained 73 yards rushing on seven carries.

The Rattlers turnover troubles began on the opening kickoff, when Ballard recovered a fumble at the FAMU 31. However, the Wildcats came up empty when Equivel shanked a 26-yard field goal.

Later in the first quarter, B-CU took over at the FAMU 42 when Josh Ballon recovered a FAMU fumble at the Rattler 42. A roughing the kicker call and Joe Singleton's 18-yard run set up Brannon's 1-yarder on the opening play of the second quarter.

Russell orchestrated a nine-play, 78-yard drive - all on the ground - to give B-CU a 14-0 lead on his keeper with 5:46 left in the half. Brannon had a 26-yarder on the drive and Kirkland a 20-yarder.

FAMU, which had just 104 total yards in the first two periods, assembled its own offensive run when Eddie Battle went 4-4 on a six -play drive, including his 24-yarder to Jarvis Funderbirk that cut it to 14-7 with 4:01 remaining.

Ballard's return, set up by a hit from Dennis King, gave the Wildcats both the momentum and a 14-point lead back.

A Chris Dirskz fumble recovery initiated B-CU's 67-yard drive that included a 22-yard Russell to Victor Johnson pass. Back-up McKinson Souverain rushed 27 yards to make it 31-7 with 4:50 remaining.

Esquivel's fourth-quarter field goal concluded the scoring and helped him tie the Wildcats' single-season record for field goals (12).