Despite HU sophomore quarterback Herbert Bynes setting a new school record after throwing for over 400 yards against the Rattlers of Florida A&M on Saturday. Bynes, originally slated to back up T.J Mitchell, had thrown for 2,670 yards on the year, and recorded his second 400-yard passing game of the season.

The Rattlers and the Pirates went head-to-head at Bragg Stadium on the campus of Florida A&M with ESPN’s GameDay present. The game for which the crowd was waiting was worth the wait, as it was an all-out war between the two teams. There was plenty of fire being displayed as the Pirates faced off against their former head coach Joe Taylor. The Rattlers came out on top by a score of 45-24 and with the win, FAMU improved to 8-3 overall, standing at 4-3 in MEAC play, while the Pirates fell to 5-5 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.

The Pirates defense got off to a great start holding the Rattlers to just 56 yards of total offense in the first half alone and they refused to allow FAMU to get on the scoreboard by blocking two field goal attempts. Hampton would strike first by getting on the board first on a 7-yard pass from Bynes to receiver Justin Brown. The Pirates would then rely on kicker Carlo Turavani to nail a 40-yard field goal to put Hampton ahead by 10 as they wrapped up the first quarter.

Shortly into the second quarter, the Rattlers came to life by scoring 21 points in the second quarter alone and all off the legs of quarterback, and Kentucky transfer, Curtis Pulley, who ran for three of FAMU’s touchdowns in the second quarter. Pulley had runs of: 11 and 14 as well as 30 yards for touchdowns in the second quarter to put the Rattlers ahead 21-10 at the half.

In the second half, the Pirates mounted a rally, but it seemed to be too little too late as the Pirates were only able to score 14 points in the second half, while the Rattlers rallied to score 24 points. Bynes would throw two more touchdown passes in the second, one to Dennis Mathis for 15 yards and then one with no time left to Jeremy Gilchrist for two yards to end the game. Phillip Sylvester scored twice for FAMU, while Isaac West caught a 49-yard pass from Pulley and kicker Trevor Scott hit a 43-yard field goal to seal the deal for the Rattlers.

Hampton finished the game with 387 yards of total offense and 401 yards passing on the day. Florida A&M finished the game with 416 yards of total offense and 249 yards rushing on the day. The Pirates were led by Bynes, who had his second 400-yard passing game. He threw three touchdowns on the day while connecting on 29 passes. On the defensive side of the ball, it was Chris Baker [Penn State transfer] leading the way for the Pirates with 11 total tackles with a half of sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss of 8 yards on the day.

The Rattlers were led by Pulley, Quarterback Curtis Pulley who ran for 132 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to lead Florida A&M to a 45-24 win over Hampton. Pulley tossed 49-yard touchdown, as the Rattlers overcame an early 10-0 deficit. Philip Sylvester added 92 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Florida A&M. The Rattlers have won five of their past six games, while Hampton has lost four in a row. Herbert Bynes completed 29 of 61 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns for Hampton. Justin Brown caught 10 passes for 147 yards.

Alvis Graham was the guy on defense, as he had 7 total tackles with 4.0 sacks for a loss of 39 yards and 4.5 tackles for a loss of 40 yards on the day.

Florida A&M

QB #11 RS Junior Curtis Pulley 6'3.6" 204 4.64 has many qualities in common with Randall Cunningham, though he is less straight-line fast and much less polished as a passer, it's unlikely that he will have the chance to even be a reserve QB in the NFL, however with the popularity of direct snap "Wildcat" plays he may intrigue a team, I'll wait to see if next season a team takes a chance on him in the hopes that he can excel at that as well as becoming a Brad Smith, Josh Cribbs utility player. Priority UDFA projecting to WR or FS. PUDFA with a long shot at the last 2 rounds.

TB 30 Philip Sylvester 5'9.5" 188 4.41, is only a Sophomore he is very quick and has cutback ability, [think Allen Pinkett] his size means he's likely a 3rd down back at the next level so he needs to learn blitz pickup and to catch the ball when not facing the QB. Could be a 4th/5 rounder one day.

Defense

#44 MLB Vernon Wilder 5'10.7" 248 4.91 He has not had the mindblowing final campaign he would have needed to be a 7th rounder, just seemed a step or 2 slow to each play had 1 assist. UDFA based on last years tape.

SLB #41 Only a RS Freshman Alvis Graham 6'1.2 226 4.72 Was the best prospect on FAMU's defense that game, stronger than his weight suggest, plays fast and should only get better. PUDFA with a long shot at the last 2 rounds.

HU
QB #12 Herbert Bynes was a revelation only a sophomore at 6'3.3" 236 4.87 he has NFL measurables and can make all the throws, he does stare down his targets and holds the ball low and too long at times, however all of that is fixable, he and Long at SC amight be the best MEAC QB prospects since Alan Hooker and Jay Walker.

#23 RS Jr. TB LaMarcus Coker a 5'10.5 204 4.46 Tennessee Transfer was shut down in 10 carries he only netted 25 yards with only 1 good carry, a 17 yarder that showed burst and power and 1 12 yard reception. With a big senir year he could be a 4th/5th rounder.

WR #19 Jeremy Gilchrist 5'9.6" 176 4.49 The more I look the more I see Troy Brown, a very good return man and likely a slot receiver had 5 catches for 67 yards 1 TD with a long of 23 yards, also 19 yards on a KOR and 1 very impressive 31 yard punt return that shwcased his vision and slipperiness. His size and dealing with more physically strong DBs are the 2 questions, likely a 5th rounder.

WR #81 Justin Brown 6'1.3" 201 4.58 is the big target of the 'firm of Brown Gilchrist and Teel' may actually have the best hands of the 3 though he is much less quick and not as solid in the running of routes. Great game 10 catches 147 yards 1 TD and 47 yarder that showed he Eric Moulds-type upside. UDFA who may stick if given a chance to grow into his talent.

WR #16 Kevin Teel 5'7.7" 159 4.57 is the "smurfiest" of the trio and his only shot is as a returner he had no catches but had 3 KORs for 81 yards. PUDFA.

OG #65 Dennis Conley 6'1.6" 304 5.36 Despite the hype only was impressive on 6 or so snaps and got stalemated by only so-so opposition too often. UDFA who will need a good pro day to even have some options.

Defense

#99 Penn State transfer Chris Baker was a MONSTER, looking like the only truly draftable prospect on HU's defense, Anthony "Booger" McFarland only with a bigger frame, already 6'1.6" 308 and about 5.11 in the 40 but very explosive, he drips potential. He piled up 5 solos 6 assists, 1/2 a sack and 1.5 TFL. He is playing 3-4 DE and did not look bad but he is a protype 4-3 DE.

SLB #49 Wakeem Goode 5'11.1" 227 4.73 Is a classic 'Will' playing out of position he had 2 solo 5 assists, 1 TFL, he is a UDFA who will need to impress with his play on special teams.

Jackie Bates and Sam Pope both played but did nothing to impress me, however #29 junior Punter Jahmal Blanchard 6'2.5" 187 4.83 was one of the 4-6 best punters I have seen all year, he has power, but can place the ball too, had 7 punts for a 44.3 yard average.

Awesome info, Bill!

I am surprised you aren't a tad more optimistic about Pulley's chances though.

What year is Chris Baker? I definitely need to add him to the PRs.

TIA.

I'd like to be more optimistic, but Bruce Eugene, Barrick Nealy Willie Totten, Alan Hooker, Kevin Murphy were all much better passers and none got more than a sniff, Marcus Vick had as good an arm, was faster and see where he is now, Pulley needs a HUGE year as a senior and to really work on his mechanics and reading defenses. Baker is a RS junior.

Thanks, Bill. Baker is in.

True...I still am surprised that Eugene and Nealy didn't get a longer look. Both were better passers than a Heisman Trophy winner or two who did get longer looks, IMHO...

Bates wears #1... He has not played in 5 weeks...

Other than race what did Eric Crouch and Jason White have that the other 2 didn't? The playing field is not yet 100% at that position.

I couldn't agree more, Bill. We've made some progress in the past 10-15 years, but we still have a ways to go....

Jackie Bates the transfer from Oregon has been battling a hamstring, he will need to run at or below the 4.47 level to have a shot at the draft he has gone in the high 4.3s, when hand-timed on a fast surface, as well as a 4.09 20-Yard Shuttle and 38.6 Vertical Jump: he'll also need to allay concerns about durability, having missed nearly a season and a half due to injury as well as character question marks about his suspension back in Beaverton.

hey look back at the film or something Bates didn't play and Pope was injured after halftime--- what were you looking at???

I am fully aware of the Bates and Pope injury situation, however neither one, even when healthy has played to preseason expectations.