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How FAMU football's third-quarter surge wore down Albany State in Week 3 home opener
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- How FAMU football's third-quarter surge wore down Albany State in Week 3 home opener
Florida A&M football is in the win column.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the Rattlers (1-2) defeated NCAA Division II team Albany State Golden Rams (2-1) 33-25 in their home opener on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
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FAMU outgained Albany State 462-321 before a Week 3 Tallahassee crowd of 14,370 at Bragg Stadium.
The Rattlers trailed the Golden Rams 14-10 at halftime. Once the teams returned from the locker rooms, FAMU outscored Albany State 23-11 in the second half.
FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III passed two touchdowns while running back Thad Franklin Jr. rushed for one during the surge.
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback RJ Johnson III (12) looks to pass. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Daniel Porto also made a 38-yard field goal during the comeback.
FAMU's victory over Albany State on Saturday was its first of the 2025 season after starting the year 0-2 .
"Good win for us. Needed it bad," FAMU head coach James Colzie III told the media in Saturday's postgame press conference.
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FAMU football utilizes multiple quarterbacks, both play well vs Albany State
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jett Peddy (8) passes to a teammate down the field. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Johnson and Jett Peddy both saw reps as FAMU's quarterback on Saturday.
Johnson got most of the reps, completing 17 of 22 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and taking three sacks.
Peddy appeared in the second quarter and showed his ability to move the offense downfield. He completed nine of 14 passes for 99 yards, but threw an interception, which was tipped off the hands of FAMU wide receiver A'Ceon Cobb.
"They both played well," Colzie assessed Johnson and Peddy's performances.
"Let's be honest, it's hard for them to go in and out and start over again. We're just trying to find a rhythm. [FAMU offensive coordinator Henry Burris] does a great job with both guys. You hate that you only have one quarterback."
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FAMU's top wide receiver was Kenari Wilcher , who had five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Armand Burris added five catches for 78 yards.
"Number seven [Wilcher] was our best playmaker tonight," Colzie said.
Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Kenari Wilcher (7) dodges defenders. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Franklin led the team with 15 rushes for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
"We look good on offense once we get a rhythm," Colzie explained. "Offense showed that we can score the football."
FAMU football defense gets control of Albany State, QB Isaiah Knowles
Things looked bleak for the Rattlers early.
Albany State jumped out to a first-quarter double-digit 14-3 lead over FAMU, led by dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Knowles .
Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Jalik Thomas (17) tackles an opponent. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
FAMU allowed Albany State to get 198 total yards in the first half. In the second half, the Golden Rams were held to 123 yards.
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Knowles completed 17 of 31 passes for 201 yards. He added seven rushing attempts for 35 yards.
"Got to give credit to Knowles. He did a really, really good job," Colzie said.
One of FAMU's top defensive stands was a stop in its territory, after Albany State defensive back Jonovan Carr caught an interception to set up the Golden Rams offense.
FAMU defensive back Jameel Sanders led the Rattlers with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.
FAMU football plagued with penalties, but not enough to prevent victory vs Albany State
FAMU had some costly penalties early on.
Some even led Albany State to score touchdowns to build an early lead on FAMU.
Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Ah'Mare Lee (19) keeps his eye on the ball as he tries to intercept the pass. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
One of FAMU's most notable penalties was an illegal blindside block, which stripped the Rattlers of a lengthy gain on a reception by tight end Miles Campbell from Peddy.
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"Everyone in the country knows those aren't the kind of blocks you can make," Colzie said.
The Rattlers had 11 penalties to lose 102 yards against the Golden Rams.
"Can't fall back into those bad habits we had last year," Colzie said. "We can't win like that. Just as a coaching staff, myself included, just got to make sure we harp on those in our bye week."
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: Florida A&M football comes back vs Albany State behind 3rd quarter run
