Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor suspends four players, including top defender and receiver

NORMAN — Florida A&M and Oklahoma, opponents that aren’t at all evenly matched for Saturday’s game  in Norman, don’t have much in common when it comes to football.

But they now share this unfortunate characteristic: Both will be missing important players due to suspensions.

The game against the No. 5 Sooners was already going to be all but impossible for the Rattlers, a Football Championship Subdivision program, but after Tuesday’s news that coach Joe Taylor has suspended four players, including the team’s best defensive back and best receiver, things look even more bleak for FAMU.

From the Associated Press:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M heads to fifth-ranked Oklahoma this weekend minus a few of its top players.

Coach Joe Taylor announced the suspension of four players Tuesday, including cornerback Devontae Johnson, who led Florida A&M defenders last season with five interceptions.

Florida A&M officials say the suspensions are for an undisclosed violation of team rules and are only for Saturday’s game at Oklahoma (1-0), one of the perennial powers in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Wide receivers Lenworth Lennon and Dewayne Harvey were also suspended along with Daniel Lennon, a backup offensive lineman. Lenworth Lennon was the Rattlers’ leading receiver a year ago with 45 catches.

The Rattlers (0-1), a member of the smaller Football Championship Subdivision, lost their opener last weekend at Tennessee State.