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Will FAMU football avoid an upset vs Albany State? Keys to victory, prediction for Week 3 game
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- Will FAMU football avoid an upset vs Albany State? Keys to victory, prediction for Week 3 game
Florida A&M football will attempt to earn its first victory for the 2025 season's home opener when Albany State visits Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 13.
The Rattlers (0-2) are coming off a 56-14 road loss to NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team Florida Atlantic Owls in a Week 2 "money game" last Saturday, Sept. 6, in Boca Raton. Meanwhile, the Golden Rams (2-0) are perfect after traveling to beat Kentucky State 49-21 last week.
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FAMU football has an advantage over Albany State.
The Rattlers are a Division I Football Championship Subdivision team of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Golden Rams compete in Division II's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
However, FAMU football shouldn't overlook Albany State . Last time these teams played, Albany State challenged FAMU, but faltered 23-13 in the 2022 matchup in Tallahassee.
Here's how the Rattlers can repeat history by beating the Golden Rams and the official game prediction for Saturday's game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. and can be streamed on SWAC TV and listened to on 96.1 JAMZ .
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FAMU football must start fast vs Albany State
The Rattlers can't give the Golden Rams any hope.
Albany State is riding high after two blowout victories over Shaw University in Week 1 (51-7) and Kentucky State in Week 2.
"We're going to respect Albany State. They've played two games and won two games decisively," FAMU head coach James Colzie III said of his team's next opponent on the SWAC football coaches' availability on Monday, Sept 8.
Conversely, FAMU is trying to find its footing after dropping its first two contests to Howard (10-9) and FAU.
The Rattlers must flex their Division I muscle and build an early lead to deflate the Division II Golden Rams. If FAMU allows Albany State to linger, it could place the Rattlers on upset alert and potentially create more unease in their slow-starting 2025 season.
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"To be a good football team, there are some things we need to sure up," Colzie explained. "If we don't sure those up, this game can be close. And they can mess around and win the football game. We've got to go out there and impose our will. If we don't play well, we could be in trouble."
QB RJ Johnson, FAMU football offense must play better vs Albany State
Can the FAMU offense awaken in its Week 3 game versus Albany State?
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback RJ Johnson III (12) drops back to pass versus the Florida Atlantic Owls in a Week 2 NCAA football game on Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Led by starting quarterback RJ Johnson III , FAMU has been mostly lethargic, posting just 11.5 points per game. The Rattlers' rushing attack averages just 79 yards, led by Preseason HBCU All-American running back Thad Franklin Jr. , who has 24 attempts for 95 yards.
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After struggling against Howard and the first half of the FAU game, the FAMU offense showed signs of life with Johnson leading the charge .
In the second half of FAMU at FAU, the Rattlers scored their first two touchdowns of the season with Johnson finding Jamar Taylor Jr. and Jordan Edwards for passing scores after being shut out in the first half.
Florida A&M wide receiver Jamar Taylor (13) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of a 56-14 victory over Florida A&M at FAU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Boca Raton, FL.
Johnson finished the FAU game, completing 18 of 28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
"It's going to be about what we do in getting our quarterback in a great rhythm and make sure we can get the ball to the people we need to get the ball to," Colzie previewed the FAMU versus Albany State game. "If we're able to do that, we'll have success. If we don't, it could be a tough football game for us."
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FAMU wants its offense to be balanced. But it needs a healthy balance.
Albany State, under defensive coordinator Chris Cash, will look to stop that with players who "do a heck of a job of getting to the football" and have rangy defensive backs like Aydin Henningham, Luke Rose, and more.
Albany State allows 14 points per game.
"They're doing some different things as far as coverages," Colzie said. "With a young quarterback, it could pose some problems. But [FAMU offensive coordinator Henry Burris] and the offensive staff understand that it's not going to be about Albany State."
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FAMU football has to neutralize Albany State star QB Isaiah Knowles
Albany State quarterback Isaiah Knowles (6) throws during a game against Central State in Rochester, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. The game was played at the Rochester Community Sports Complex as part of the Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic Weekend of Hope.
Albany State head coach Quinn Gray knows a thing or two about a good quarterback.
Gray, a former recording-breaking quarterback at FAMU, has a dog running his offense in dual-threat Isaiah Knowles.
A season removed from being named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year, Knowles has completed 38 of 55 passes for 473 yards and seven touchdowns against one interception. The Tampa native has added 26 rushing attempts for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
Last week, Knowles completed 25 of 34 passes for 304 yards, six passing touchdowns, and one rushing score against an interception in the Golden Rams' rout over Kentucky State. Knowles was named the SIAC Player of the Week and BOXTOROW's HBCU National Player of the Week for his performance.
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FAMU has to prevent Knowles from extending plays with its pass rush. The Rattlers have three sacks on the season, led by Antonio Camon's two and Latarie Kinsler's one.
"They've got a quarterback that can spin it and a guy that can run it. So, you've got to be able to contain the quarterback even when he's back to pass," Colzie said of Albany State and its quarterback, Knowles.
Knowles' top target is wide receiver Javion Jackson, who has 10 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Other receivers in Albany State's arsenal are Omari Stewart and Corey Petty.
Golden Rams 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end Xavier Herndon leads the team with three touchdowns and has six receptions for 81 yards.
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"They're going to be a high-tempo offense ― try to get the ball to their athletes," Colzie said.
Gerald Thomas, III Score Prediction: FAMU 21, Albany State 12
Florida A&M (0-2) vs. Albany State (2-0)
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When: Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
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Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
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TV/Radio: SWAC TV, 96.1 JAMZ
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football vs Albany St. prediction: Rattlers must stop QB Isaiah Knowles
