Sunday, September 15, 2002
Florida A&M breezes in River Front Classic
By Dave Schutte
Enquirer contributor
If the Cincinnati Bengals are sincere about picking up an offense-generating quarterback, Casey Printers could be the man.
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Florida A&M senior turned in an eye-opening performance at Paul Brown Stadium, leading the Rattlers to a 34-16 victory over Morgan State in the Procter & Gamble River Front Classic.
Before transferring to Florida A&M following the 2001 season, Printers played three years at Texas Christian, completing 324 passes for 4,621 yards and 37 TDs. He is the Horned Frogs' third all-time leading passer.
“My ambition is to play professional football,” Printers said. “I wouldn't mind playing in Cincinnati. The people here are nice, and this is a great stadium.”
Printers suffered a severe left ankle sprain two minutes before halftime and didn't play in the second half.
“I don't know what happened on the injury,” Printers said. “I threw the ball and was rolled by a defender. When I got up, the ankle was sore, but I'll be back next week.”
Printers was reluctant to discuss his reason for transferring from TCU.
“I don't know what to say or how to put it,” Printers said. “But I will tell you I picked A&M because the no-huddle offense fits my style. It doesn't make much difference where you play. The pros will find you if you're good enough.”
Reggie Hayes took over at quarterback in the second half, leading the Rattlers (2-1, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) to a touchdown and field goal.
Printers completed 15 of 29 passes for 195 yards, including a 27-yard TD to Dennis Bonga with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter.
Printers was also effective running the ball when needed. He carried five times for 21 yards, scoring Florida A&M's first TD on a 7-yard run with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter.
Juan Vasquez followed with a 34-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.
Since joining the MEAC in 1982, the defending conference champion Rattlers have won 16 of their 18 league openers.
Florida A&M free safety Levy Brown intercepted three Morgan State passes, two inside the Rattler 20 to thwart drives.
Withrow graduate B.T.Sherman, a senior wide receiver, scored the Bears' second touchdown, taking a 24-yard pass from Lejominick Washington with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 31-16.
Morgan State center Aaron Johnson, a Princeton graduate, wasn't pleased with the outcome, but he was happy with the Bears' second-half performance.
“We fell behind early, which made it tough,” Johnson said. “But we didn't quit and the team fought hard in the second half.”
Florida A&M rushed for 294 yards and passed for 254, while Morgan State (0-3, 0-1) rushed for 252 and passed for 204.
Florida A&M 10 14 7 3 - 34
Morgan State 0 0 16 0 - 16
F-Printers 7 run (Vasquez kick)
F-Vasquez 34 FG
F-Pompey 4 run (Vasquez kick)
F-Bonga 28 pass from Printers (Vasquez kick)
M-Shiancoe 73 pass from Littlejohn (Stallings run)
F-Hayes 13 run (Vasquez kick)
M-Sherman 24 pass from Washington (Stallings run)
M-Vasquez 41 FG
Records: Florida A&M (2-1, 1-0 MEAC), Morgan State (0-3, 0-1).
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Florida A&M breezes in River Front Classic