FAMU grinds one out to stave off Alabama State in SWAC East home opener | Takeaways

The Florida A&M Rattlers' home streak lives to fight another game.

The Rattlers (3-1, 2-0 SWAC), ranked No. 23 in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll, hosted the Alabama State Hornets (1-2, 0-1 SWAC) at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium for a Southwestern Athletic Conference East game Saturday.

The Rattlers survived and advanced, winning 23-10 before a crowd of 18,858 to remain No. 1 in the division.

FAMU outgained ASU 353-303, and its 14-3 first-half lead helped the team stay ahead of the Hornets to secure the win.

“We expect to get everyone’s best shot," FAMU head coach Willie Simmons said after the win. “And because of that, we have to be prepared for whatever may come our way.

“We're still trying to find that perfect game. But, proud of the guys."

The Rattlers’ win extended their active home winning streak to 17, which is the second-longest in the Football Championship Subdivision behind Montana State’s 22.

FAMU will be on the road for its next game in a SWAC East contest against Mississippi Valley.

FAMU offense clicks early, but hits snag in the second half

The Rattlers built a first half lead, fueled by two touchdown passes by quarterback Jeremy Moussa to receivers Marcus Riley and Jamari Gassett.

The offense totaled 190 yards in the first half and held a 14-3 lead at halftime.

But, the FAMU offense scored just three points in the second half on a 34-yard field goal by Cameron Gillis.

The Rattlers also lost fumbles by Moussa and running back Jaquez Yant in the third quarter.

“We have to figure out a way to protect the ball," Simmons said.

“Yant is too good of a football player to continue to put the ball on the ground. And ‘Moose' has to do a better job when he feels the pocket collapsing to protect the ball.

“Turnovers are things we have to eliminate, or we won’t be as dominant as we can be.”

Moussa completed 25 of 40 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. His top target was receiver Jah’Marae Sheread, who caught nine passes for 72 yards.

FAMU Dark Cloud Defense comes up big with backs against the wall

The Rattlers’ defense got placed in unfavorable situations but didn’t fold.

Alongside a first quarter field goal, FAMU allowed one Alabama State touchdown on a tipped pass from quarterback Damon Stewart that landed in the hands of receiver Asa Gregg for a 47-yard score.

FAMU didn’t give up any points off two turnovers but scored a touchdown of its own with a 40-yard interception return by linebacker Isaiah Major to seal the game in the fourth quarter.

It was the Rattlers’ first defensive touchdown of the season. Additionally, Major led the defense with 12 tackles.

“We may bend a little bit, but we don’t break,” Major said. “We’re together, and it allows us to keep playing ball.

“Everybody on the defense takes it personally, even if it’s a field goal.”

FAMU takes pride to defending home turf and utilizing the homefield advantage

Bragg had an electric environment for the Rattlers’ conference home opener.

The bleachers were filled with FAMU and Alabama State fans, including the school’s 'Mighty' Marching Hornets band. Gameday operations also appeared to go much smoother after issues that included delayed entry into the stadium for the Rattlers' home opener last weekend.

Simmons says the division matchup and its heavy attendance is a testament to the budding SWAC feud between FAMU and ASU.

"One of our goals is to beat our natural rivals for bragging rights," Simmons said. “Tonight was a packed house and we take great pride in winning and playing at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

"Rattler Nation always supports us and always shows up. Every time we take the field, we’re blessed to look up and see a packed house. The chat boards are going to be on fire. And Rattler Nation is going to do what they always do — write some more checks that I got to go cash next week.

“I love it, and I just embrace what being the head coach of a school like FAMU is."

Major, a graduate student, called Saturday’s game versus ASU one of the most enjoyable games of his college career.

His fourth quarter interception was the first of his college football career, from his time at Central Oklahoma and Independence Community College until now.

“This was probably my most fun [game] at Bragg, to be quite honest,” Major said.

“This atmosphere was one of the best ones I’ve seen yet. The stadium was packed out. The bands were going at each other. [ASU] was chirping, and it was kind of a close game.

"The lights were on. It gave that old thrill, and being out there was amazing."

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers repels Alabama State Hornets in SWAC home opener