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FAMU's mind-set changes

The Rattlers travel to WKU with last year's playoff letdown in mind.

By JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 25, 2000

Jauron Dailey won't be taken by surprise this post-season. Neither will his Florida A&M teammates.

So he swears.

"We can't count anybody out until it's really over," the FAMU defensive end said after his team's 31-28 win over Bethune-Cookman in the Nov. 18 Florida Classic. "We can't afford to take anymore chances. We can't take anyone lightly. We know what happened last time."

That "last time" for FAMU was last season, in the Division I-AA semifinals against Youngstown State. Holding a 24-13 lead in the fourth quarter, the offense lined up on the Penguins 4-yard line, attempting to put the game out of reach and advance to the championship game.

But quarterback Quinn Gray, who came off the bench in the second half, misread the defense and threw an interception that sparked a 14-point Youngstown State rally.

The 27-24 loss was a devastating defeat for a FAMU team that had climbed so high.

Today, the I-AA playoffs being anew. FAMU is paired with Western Kentucky in today's opening playoff round at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky.

Seeded in FAMU's bracket is Troy State, Appalachian State (which FAMU defeated to advance to last year's semifinal) and Youngstown State, perhaps setting the stage for a rematch of that '99 heartbreaker.

As Gray goes, so go the Rattlers. He has completed 194 of 370 passes for 2,417 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. But those interceptions fueled FAMU's two-game losing streak, threatening the team's post-season ambitions.

But it is the interception he threw almost a year ago that still haunts Gray.

"I think about it all the time," he said. "I let my teammates down, and now it's up to me to make sure that doesn't happen again."

FAMU (9-2) won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and an automatic bid to the playoffs.

Western Kentucky (10-1) is a tough first-round opponent. Western Kentucky's lone loss this season was 30-24 to South Florida on Nov. 4 at Raymond James Stadium.

FAMU vs. W. Kentucky

WHEN/WHERE: noon; L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

TV: Sunshine.

RECORDS: FAMU 9-2; WKU 10-1.

COACHES: FAMU -- Billy Joe (63-22, seventh season; 214-84-4 overall). WKU -- Jack Harbaugh (70-60, 12th season; 95-87-3 overall.)

AT STAKE: A chance at the national championship in this first meeting of Division I-AA powers. Western Kentucky, ranked No. 7 in the Sports Network I-AA poll, hasn't been to the I-AA playoffs since '97, while No. 13 FAMU is trying to win its first national title since winning the inaugural I-AA championship in 1978. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to meet Troy State or Appalachian State.

REMEMBER WHEN: FAMU advanced to the semifinals in '99 for the first time in 21 years, held a 24-13 lead over Youngstown State and in the fourth quarter was within 4 yards of securing a berth in the I-AA title game. But Quinn Gray threw an interception on third and goal, and the Penguins won 27-24, taking the lead with 44 seconds left. Western Kentucky's lone loss came Nov. 4 against South Florida.

LEADING MEN: Gray is still looking to redeem himself after last season's critical playoff error. This season he has completed 194 of 370 passes for 2,417 yards, 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Western Kentucky's power running game is keyed by DeWayne Gallishaw (172 rushes, 874 yards, 9 touchdowns) and Keith Brooks (88 carries, 523 yards, 8 touchdowns).

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