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RECAP: FAMU football beats Prairie View A&M to capture first SWAC Championship

The Florida A&M Rattlers are hosting the Prairie View A&M Panthers on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The teams meet for the second time this season as they battle for the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. FAMU bested PVAMU 45-7 in Week 9.

The Rattlers (10-1) are ranked fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision’s Coaches Poll while riding a nine-game winning streak. The Panthers (6-5) have won three consecutive games, not losing since their first matchup with FAMU.

The SWAC Championship winner earns a bid to the HBCU Celebration Bowl, which determines the Black College Football National Champion on Dec. 16 in Atlanta.

Keep scrolling for updates, and refresh the page to stay up to speed.

8:59 p.m. | FAMU wins SWAC Championship

The Rattlers defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers 35-14.

It is FAMU's first SWAC Football Championship.

Running back Terrell Jennings led the way with 17 carries for 113 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.

FAMU will play in Dec. 16's HBCU Celebration Bowl versus MEAC Champions Howard on Dec. 16.

8:32 p.m. | FAMU running back Terrell Jennings does what no one has done all year

FAMU running back Terrell Jennings has become FAMU's first single-game 100-yard rusher of the season.

He scored on a 33-yard touchdown to extend the Rattlers' lead.

Altogether, Jennings has 13 rushes for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

4Q | 13:29 | FAMU 35, PVAMU 14

8:22 p.m. | FAMU and Prairie View entering fourth quarter

The Rattlers are one quarter away from being SWAC Champions.

FAMU has done well with having a balanced attack.

Wide receiver Marcus Riley leads the receivers with four catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Running back Terrell Jennings has 16 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown.

END OF 3 | FAMU 28, PVAMU 14

7:59 p.m. | Prairie View closing in on FAMU

After an hour lightning delay, FAMU gave PVAMU a short field by failing to convert on a fourth down.

The Panthers made the drive quick, only taking two plays to go 43 yards.

PVAMU running back Ahmad Antoine broke away for a 35-yard rush.

3Q | 7:35 | FAMU 21, PVAMU 14

7:13 p.m. | Weather delays FAMU-Prairie View game in third quarter

Rain poured and lightning immediately struck after FAMU kicker Cameron Gillis missed a 41-yard field goal at the 11:38 mark in the third quarter.

For the second time, teams have cleared the field and fans are advised to depart the stadium due to a lightning delay. FAMU has opened the Al Lawson Center for fans to seek shelter.

Under current NCAA policy, play will be suspended if there is lightning within 8 miles of the stadium. It requires a 30 minute delay, but this may vary because the time count will restart if a lightning strike occurs within the 8 mile radius.

FAMU received the kickoff to open the third quarter, driving to the Prairie View 24.

The start of the game was delayed 32 minutes by lightning.

Projected game resume time: 7:50 p.m.

6:09 p.m. | Prairie View shows sign of life before halftime

PVAMU scored on an 8-yard rush before the break to get on the board.

The Rattlers still outgained the Panthers 187-150.

Additionally, FAMU has forced two turnovers with interceptions by defensive back Javan Morgan.

The Dark Cloud Defense is ranked first in FCS total defense and has forced a turnover in 11 of 12 its games.

5:29 p.m. | FAMU moves the ball well

The Rattlers have done well by gradually moving the ball.

All team's scores have been for a yard with running back Jaquez Yant scoring on a rush.

FAMU has scored on three of its first four drives while shutting out PVAMU.

2Q | 10:48 | FAMU 21, PVAMU 0

5:13 p.m. | FAMU leads after first quarter

The Rattlers and Panthers had different second quarters.

FAMU has passed the ball well. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa has converted on six of nine passing attempts for 75 yards.

PVAMU is struggling for completions. Panthers quarterback Trazon Connley has completed two of eight passes.

PVAMU also is 0 for 3 on third downs.

Altogether, FAMU outgains PVAMU 120-54.

End of 1 | FAMU 14, PVAMU 0

4:41 p.m. | FAMU taking over early

PVAMU had the first possession. But FAMU struck first.

Rattlers defensive back Javan Morgan intercepted Panthers quarterback Trazon Connley.

Despite the rain, FAMU relied on its passing. Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa completed two passes; one to Marcus Riley for 60 yards and another to Jah'Marae Sheread for six yards.

Running back Terrell Jennings punched in the touchdown for a yard.

1Q | 10:41 | FAMU 7, PVAMU 0

4:07 p.m. | FAMU SWAC Championship game update

Weather has impacted the SWAC Championship at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The 4 p.m. kickoff between the Rattlers and Panthers was initially delayed to 4:40 p.m. due to lightning in the area.

The start time has now been adjusted to 4:32 p.m.

Players are coming out for warmups.

Fans have been allowed back into the stadium. Game officials originally advised fans to leave their seats due to lightning.

Weather: 67 degrees, rain

More: FAMU football delayed by lightning before SWAC Championship Game

3:03 p.m. | Team threads

FAMU: White helmets, orange jerseys, white pants

PVAMU: Gold helmets, white jerseys, purple pants

2:24 p.m. | Tallahassee weather update

67 degrees; heavy rain

Bring your raincoats and ponchos.

Where can I watch the FAMU football game today?

  • Time: 4 p.m. Saturday, December 2

  • Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida

  • TV: ESPN2 (Channel 209 on DirecTV, Channel 143 on Dish)

  • Streaming: WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

FAMU and Prairie View A&M kick off the SWAC Championship Game at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 2 from Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.

Florida A&M vs. Prairie View A&M will air on ESPN2. Tiffany Greene will be the play-by-play announcer with Jay Walker working as analyst and Lericia Harris reporting from the sideline.

Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

FAMU football schedule 2023

Date

Opponent

Sunday, Sept. 3

vs. Jackson State* (in Miami Gardens): W 28-10

Saturday, Sept. 9

at USF: L 38-24

Saturday, Sept. 16

vs. West Florida: W 31-10

Saturday, Sept. 23

vs. Alabama State*: W 23-10

Saturday, Sept. 30

at Mississippi Valley State*: W 31-7

Saturday, Oct. 7

at Southern*: W 26-19

Saturday, Oct. 14

BYE

Saturday, Oct. 21

at Texas Southern*: W 31-21

Saturday, Oct. 28

vs. Prairie View A&M*: W 45-7

Saturday, Nov. 4

at Alabama A&M*: W 42-28

Saturday, Nov. 11

vs. Lincoln (CA): W 28-0

Saturday, Nov. 18

vs. Bethune-Cookman* (in Orlando): W 24-7

Saturday, Dec. 2

SWAC Championship Game

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

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football SWAC Championship versus Prairie View A&M final score