They brought their famous marching band, their ``Vann-tastic'' return man, Leroy Vann, and plenty of Rattlers pride.

And regardless of Saturday night's outcome against the 11th-ranked University of Miami, Florida A&M's fans were still planning on leaving Land Shark Stadium happy.

``We came here to be competitive, to see how we fit on the field with a team of this caliber,'' said Jamie Gilmore, 34, who drove from Ocala to support his son, FAMU freshman running back Eddie Rocker.

``If they blow us out, it's no big deal. They're Miami. Truth is, we're still a really good team. You have to like what coach Joe Taylor has done.''

Taylor, 13-3 entering Saturday night's game, has brought excitement and confidence to FAMU's football program. The Rattlers, who haven't been to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs since 2001, came in ranked 22rd in the FCS Coaches' poll.

The Rattlers' football success has been a welcome breath of fresh air for an athletic program trying to distance itself from tough times. Along with the school's publicized financial woes, FAMU has had plenty of internal troubles during this decade. Last week, the school's athletic director resigned and two assistant ADs were fired, effective in December.

But Taylor is giving parents of recruits and Rattlers fans a feeling of stability.

``I'll be honest -- I was concerned when Eddie told me he liked FAMU,'' Gilmore said.

``I heard their athletic program was down and kids were being left out to deal with problems on their own. But everything Coach Taylor told us before has come true. He's making fine young men.''

Mickey Clayton, the executive director for the Rattlers Booster Club, said ``a lot more positive things are happening at FAMU.''

``I've been involved with the booster club for three and a half years, and we're a lot more functional booster club than we were before,'' said Clayton, a former FAMU basketball star and fourth-generation Rattler.

``We went from raising $1,200 when I got here to $249,000 this year alone. Our student population numbers are up -- and most of them are from Miami.''

Curtis Holcolmb, who intercepted a pass thrown by Jacory Harris in the second quarter, said he is excited about the addition of a video scoreboard at Bragg Memorial Stadium. It's supposed to be up in time for the Rattlers' homecoming game against Norfolk State on Oct. 24.

``From what I hear, it's going to be sweet,'' Holcolmb said.

Defensive end Joe Wims, a senior from Carol City, said he has seen a lot in his four years at FAMU. But he's glad he has seen more positive things happening in his final year.

``Last year, they finished the new basketball arena right next to the fieldhouse,'' Wims said. ``Good things are happening for us. It's about time.''

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