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FAMU football has its chances, but falls to Troy Trojans in FCS vs FBS game | Takeaways
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- FAMU football has its chances, but falls to Troy Trojans in FCS vs FBS game | Takeaways
This story was updated to add new information.
Florida A&M football fought but couldn't get the win over Troy .
The Rattlers (2-2) fell to the Trojans (1-3) 34-12 in Saturday's Football Championship Subdivision versus Football Bowl Championship game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.
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The Trojans outgained the Rattlers 507-343 before the Week 4 crowd of 29,024.
The Rattlers kept it close, trailing as low as two points, but never could take the lead from the Trojans. FAMU trailed 14-9 at halftime and were outscored by Troy 18-3 in the second half.
"When you put yourself to win the football game, you're right there ― play here, play there ― as the game went along, small things became big things. We didn't play very good situational football at times," FAMU head coach James Colzie III said.
Saturday was FAMU's second consecutive loss, falling to two FBS teams, Miami and Troy.
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FAMU football offense moves, but can't get in the endzone
Florida A&M running back Thad Franklin Jr. carries the ball against the Troy Trojans in a Week 4 game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
FAMU's offense moved down the field.
But it couldn't muster any touchdowns.
The bright side of the Rattlers' performance was that they reached the redzone five times. Of those five redzone drives, FAMU got points off of field goals by kicker Cameron Gillis four times.
"Great job with our field goal unit, but when you're playing these FBS opponents, you're going to need touchdowns," Colzie said.
Daniel Richardson did well quarterbacking the Rattlers offense again, completing 25 of 39 passes for 288 yards. Richardson's favorite target was wide receiver Jamari Gassett , who nabbed 10 catches for 141 yards.
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Richardson was sacked twice on Saturday.
FAMU had 55 rushing yards, led by Thad Franklin Jr.'s 46.
FAMU football's defense falls to the big play by the Troy Trojans
The Florida A&M Rattlers take on the Troy Trojans in a Week 4 game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
FAMU's defense only allowed Troy to reach the redzone twice.
However, the Trojans could score at the Rattlers' expense on big plays.
Four of five of Troy's touchdowns were over 20 yards. The Trojans' scores were exclaimed by a 98-yard touchdown pass by Goose Crowder to wide receiver Devonte Ross.
"We knew [Ross] was going to get the football. And we had some coverages set up for it," Colzie said. "Seven [Ross' jersey number] was better than us tonight."
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The Rattlers' defense didn't force any turnovers and haven't in any of their four games this season.
FAMU linebacker Nay'Ron Jenkins led the Rattlers with eight tackles and a sack. Jenkins also had a tackle for loss.
FAMU football's loss to the Troy Trojans could've very well been a win
Florida A&M wide receiver Jamari Gassett lines up against Troy cornerback Trent Henry in a Week 4 game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
FAMU missed opportunities to score.
The most significant chance the Rattlers had was when they elected to attempt a fourth-down conversion instead of kicking a redzone field goal in the second quarter.
FAMU, in a 4th and 4 situation on Troy's 28-yard line, was stopped short on a pass from Richardson to running back Kelvin Dean Jr.
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The Rattlers could have taken a 9-7 lead over the Trojans if they allowed Gillis to take the field goal.
Colzie explained the rationale behind the decision, stating the ball placement and how the Rattlers were without their distance kicker Michael Smith.
"It wasn't at [Gillis] spot. That's why we decided to go for it," Colzie said. "I thought it was a good call. We expected them to be in man-to-man, but the corner came off and made a really good play.
"But for us, the ball has to be at a certain spot for Gillis to kick. Michael Smith was not with us tonight. So, Cameron Gillis was the only one."
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The Rattlers had 13 penalties for 95 yards. Seven of FAMU's penalties were pre or post-snap.
"We got a little bit in our feelings," Colzie said. "We were frustrating them and retaliating once they did something to us. We got to be better than that."
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 runs out of gas against Troy Trojans in FCS vs FBS game
