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How FAMU football is game-planning for MVSU as QB Daniel Richardson, others battle injuries
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- How FAMU football is game-planning for MVSU as QB Daniel Richardson, others battle injuries
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
The injury bug has hit Florida A&M football .
Especially on offense.
Nine games into the season, integral pieces to the Rattlers (5-4, 3-2 in SWAC) are battling injuries entering their Week 12 Southwestern Athletic Conference game against the visiting Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (0-10, 0-6 in SWAC) .
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Most notably, FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson is being evaluated for a concussion he sustained in the first quarter of the Rattlers' 31-12 loss at Prairie View A&M. Junior Muratovic stepped in for Richardson and completed 16 of 29 passes for 150 yards and threw a touchdown and two interceptions.
Muratovic will likely start for the Rattlers this Saturday versus the Delta Devils if Richardson is not cleared to play.
Among other injuries is FAMU running back Kelvin Dean Jr. , injured versus Prairie View A&M, and Rattlers wide receiver Jamari Gassett .
Dean practiced on Wednesday. Richardson and Gassett didn't.
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"Every player on our roster needs to be prepared to play on Saturday," said FAMU assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Joseph Henry . "Nothing should change whether you're in contention for the starting spot or feel confident you're a backup. Everybody on the roster is one or two plays away from being the next man up.
"We got to be ready for our moment."
Florida A&M offensive coordinator Joseph Henry coaches up campers at James Colzie III's prospect camp at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Thursday, June 20, 2024.
FAMU typically utilizes a running back by committee with Dean, Thad Franklin Jr., and Bo Summersett. If Dean wasn't to play, the Rattlers might look to reserve running back Dorian Collier to get increased touches.
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Collier has five carries for 31 yards.
If Gassett doesn't practice or play versus MVSU, it would likely move Quan Lee to the Rattlers' lead receiver. Lee has 16 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown.
Other FAMU receivers to pay attention to are young transfers Marquez Bell and Goldie Lawrence .
Florida A&M wide receiver Quan Lee (21) rushes the football in the Rattlers' Week 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference game at the Prairie View A&M Panthers in Prairie View, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
FAMU's tight ends may be leaned on even more, too, with Koby Gross leading the pack with 20 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
"You got to go with who's there and the guys ready to play," said FAMU head coach James Colzie III . "Mississippi Valley's not going to take it easy on us. So, it's important for whoever it is, the next person up, getting themselves ready to play."
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Mississippi Valley State is winless.
But that doesn't mean FAMU is overlooking the Delta Devils as the Rattlers prepare for possible key players' absences.
FAMU and MVSU will kick off at 1 p.m. on HBCU Go and the Rattlers Plus mobile application.
"They play with fire, fly around the field, and work hard to force turnovers," Henry said. "They're an aggressive defense. So, we got our work cut out for us."
Florida A&M vs Mississippi Valley State ― Week 12, SWAC
When: Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium; Tallahassee, Florida
Broadcast: HBCU Go, Rattlers Plus
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Tickets: Purchase Here
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: How FAMU football is working through injuries to QB Richardson, others
