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Rattlers bite dust in I-AA playoffsTwo-time defending I-AA champion Georgia Southern turned up the defensive pressure, roaring back from a 28-27 halftime deficit to score 33 unanswered second half points, including three defensive touchdowns to knock off MEAC champion Florida A&M 60-35 in a first round playoff game in Statesboro, Ga. Saturday. Billy Joe's Rattlers threw a scare into the second- seeded Eagles, jumping out to a 21-7 first quarter lead behind a running attack led by Kelsie Lordeus who totalled 107 yards on 17 carries on the day. His four- yard scoring run was one of three first quarter touchdowns the Rattlers scored en route to taking the lead at the break. But the second half belonged to GSU, a program that has won a record six I-AA national titles and is seeking its unprecedented third championship in a row. All-American running back Adrian Peterson, who finished with 153 rushing yards and two rushing TDs, began the second half onslaught with a 45- yard run to paydirt with 8:14 left in the third stanza. But other than two Scott Shelton field goals, that would be the all the second half points scored by the Eagle offense. Instead, the defensive unit returned two fumbles and a Quinn Gray interception for scores while building a 60-28 lead. The Rattlers scored the last points of the game on a one-yard O. J. Marchbanks run for the final margin. The Rattlers racked up 545 yards of offense on the day but could not convert on any of 12 third down opportunities. Gray finished with 15 completions on 35 attempts for 219 yards but threw three picks. The Rattlers also lost three fumbles. The Rattlers, making their six straight playoff appearance, finish the season with a 7-4 record. © 2001 Azeez Communications, Inc.
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