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FAMU football celebrates homecoming with high-scoring win over Texas Southern | Takeaways
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- FAMU football celebrates homecoming with high-scoring win over Texas Southern | Takeaways
(This story was updated to add additional information.)
Saturday was a happy homecoming for Florida A&M football .
The Rattlers (5-3, 3-1 in SWAC) hosted and beat Texas Southern (3-5, 2-3 in SWAC) 52-28 in a Week 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
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FAMU outgained Texas Southern 531-164 before a sold-out Bragg Stadium crowd of 23,271. FAMU never trailed Texas Southern the entire game.
The Florida A&M Rattlers take on Texas Southern in homecoming matchup, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Saturday was also the Rattlers' 23rd consecutive home win, the second-longest active home streak in the Football Championship Subdivision.
"Excited for the homecoming win. I know many people are going home happy," FAMU head coach James Colzie III said.
"Still have some work to do. We'll cherish the victory."
Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson led FAMU to victory by completing 25 of 33 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns against two interceptions.
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FAMU offense puts on a high-scoring performance at homecoming vs Texas Southern
FAMU's offense had its first 50-point output since the 2019 season.
Twelve different receivers caught passes for the Rattlers. Richardson's five touchdown passes went to different players ― Jeremiah Pruitte, Jaylen Ward, Kelvin Dean Jr., Koby Gross, and Quan Lee.
Pruitte, a tight end, led all FAMU receivers with six receptions for 60 yards. FAMU wide receiver Jaylen Ward also had 60 receiving yards on four catches.
"JP Pruitte has been battling all year, and his hard work has been showing," Colzie said.
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FAMU's rushing attack also had its best performance this season, scampering 26 times for 236 yards (6.6 yards per carry). Bo Summersett led the running backs with six attempts for 75 yards. Dean added nine attempts for 62 yards.
Thad Franklin Jr. had 10 carries for 57 yards and the Rattlers' first rushing touchdown of the season.
"The run helps out the pass, and the pass helps out the run. It's complementary football," Richardson said.
FAMU football defense beleaguers Texas Southern
The Florida A&M Rattlers take on Texas Southern in homecoming matchup, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
FAMU's defense stymied Texas Southern for the most part.
Texas Southern only had seven first downs compared to FAMU's 25.
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FAMU held Texas Southern quarterback Jace Wilson to five of 13 completions for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Texas Southern running back Quintell Quinn had 15 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.
"We were mixing in some things, and it's evident," Colzie said. "They made some plays and made some things happen."
Texas Southern's offense scored three second-half touchdowns, with quarterback Wilson connecting with receiver Donald McKinney twice. Texas Southern running back Quinn scored an eight-yard touchdown on the Rattlers.
The Rattlers sacked Texas Southern quarterback Wilson four times, with James Ash, Nay'Ron Jenkins, James Gardner, and Clyde Pinder.
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FAMU defensive back Jordan Cumberbatch added an interception for the Rattlers.
FAMU and Texas Southern has some electric plays at each other's expense
It was some exciting football from FAMU and Texas Southern.
It most specifically happened in a 12-second stretch in the third quarter.
The Florida A&M Rattlers lead against Texas Southern 49-28 in the 4th quarter, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
FAMU kick returner Robert Lockhart scored a 91-yarder. Then, Texas Southern Chaunzavia Lewis immediately responded with a 90-yard return.
"Happy for Robert Lockhart, who's week in and week out, putting in the work, and then he gets a chance to show everybody in the stands what he's all about," Colzie said.
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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's has homecoming triumph over Texas Southern | Takeaways
