Delaware State 21, Florida A&M 17

September 3, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Delaware State scored the final nine points of the game to edge past Florida A&M, 21-17, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday night.

It was the season-opening and conference-opening game for both schools.

A crowd of 13,814 partisans witnessed Delaware State (1-0, 1-0 in MEAC), build a 12-0 lead by the mid-point of the second period, thanks to four field goals - 45, 43, 18 and 35 yards - by kicker Peter Gaertner.

The FAMU Defense, which held DelState to 202 total yards - 83 rushing and 119 passing - got the Rattlers back in the game, when senior safety Sammy Doughty scooped up a fumble and raced 51 yards for a touchdown, slicing the Hornets' lead to 12-7, with 4:53 left in the half.

Sophomore Wesley Taylor trimmed the deficit to two points, 12-10, when he connected on a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Senior tailback Rashard Pompey put the Rattlers ahead early in the third period, when he bolted 53 yards for a touchdown and a 17-12 lead with 11:57 left.

But moments later, the Hornets began their climb back, blocking a Wesley Taylor punt out of the end zone for a safety, trimming the FAMU lead to 17-14.

DelState regained the lead with 8:42 left, when running back Rodney Roy plunged in from two yards out to vault the Hornets ahead for good, 21-17.

Two FAMU possessions ended on downs in the closing moments, as the Rattlers tried valiantly to pull off a game-winning rally.