FAMU running back Bishop Bonnet gets in the endzone against Savannah State on Saturday
Sydne Vigille | The FAMUAN
The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Savannah State Tigers 31-13 on Saturday thanks to a career game by sophomore running back Bishop Bonnet.
The Rattlers were able to score 28 points in the second half, thanks in large part to Bonnet’s offensive explosion in the third quarter.
With 6:51 left in the game, the Rattlers were down 7-3 when Bonnet took a pass out of the backfield from quarterback Ryan Stanley and zipped down the field for a 69-yard touchdown. Bonnet was effective on the ground as well against the Tigers, rushing for 89 yards and a TD on nine carries.
This moment was like a dream for Bonnet, as he explained after the game that he had been waiting all his life for this moment.
“I could only dream of moments like this,” said the redshirt sophomore. “I promise I’ve been dreaming of moments like this, since my freshman year, to come in here (the press conference room) after the game and being able to speak. For that, I’d like to thank God because without him I wouldn’t even be here today. We got a win.”
The defense was also a crucial part of the Rattlers win against SSU, as they limited the Tiger to 7 points in the first half and only six points in the second half.
“I feel like we came out strong, especially as a defense,” said FAMU safety Terry Jefferson. “We had our offense’s back the whole game. When they’re not going (the offense), we keep ourselves motivated to keep going. If you guys (the offense) get going, we have an easier chance to win.”
FAMU was having a tough day on offense before Bonnet’s eruption in the second half, only managing to score three points and throwing two interceptions.
Head coach Willie Simmons commended his offense, and the entire team, for not giving up and coming back in the second half of the game.
“I’m proud of these guys, I’m proud of the way they responded,” Simmons said. “At halftime, down three to seven, it would have been easy for these guys to drop their heads, to stop believing in one another and our ability to come back and win games, but they’re a resilient group. I tip my hat to the leadership that was provided at halftime. I didn’t have to say much, I just told them to ‘go out and play.’ They did that.”
The Rattlers will head to North Carolina in their next game to take on the North Carolina Central Eagles on Saturday Sept. 29.