FAMU Spring Game 2008

[Big Dawg]

FAMU coach Taylor downplays score of Orange and Green game
By Doug Blackburn
DEMOCRAT ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Joe Taylor era at Florida A&M is off to a perfect start.

Taylor, the Rattlers' new head football coach, guided the first-stringers to a resounding 54-0 win on Saturday in the annual Orange & Green game.

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Even the weather was faultless, though there was a 12-minute downpour shortly before the 1 p.m. kickoff that may have kept the crowd at Bragg Stadium to about 300.

Philip Sylvester, the freshman sensation from Marianna, rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Green team. Those gaudy numbers don't include an 82-yard touchdown run that was nullified by a penalty.

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[Big Dawg]

Coach Taylor grading all players after FAMU's spring game
Column by St. Clair Murraine
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Just before FAMU's Green squad scored its fourth touchdown, the band played. The horns were still blaring when Philip Sylvester scored for a 27-0 lead.

The band will play on during the season. That won't change.

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Though the fact that there were members of the Marching 100 there was a change. Coach Joe Taylor wanted it, and so for the first time in 20 years the band showed up at Bragg Stadium on Saturday for the Orange and Green game.

"We wanted a game-like atmosphere," Taylor said. "We wanted to see how the guys react with the officials, with the crowd, with the band. Whenever we line up on the field (the Marching 100) has got to be here because they're the 12th man. I know it's going to benefit us."

Taylor was more focused on routes and contact on a muggy afternoon than the marching band, though. He seemed to be putting a lot of thought into every play.

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