Florida A&M football opened its Southwestern Athletic Conference slate victorious.
The Rattlers (3-2, 1-0 in SWAC) beat Alabama State (2-3, 1-1 in SWAC) 28-13 in Montgomery. FAMU outscored Alabama State 21-6 in the second half.
Saturday marked FAMU's 17th consecutive SWAC win, which dates to the 2022 season.
The Rattlers are on a bye week and returns to action at the Jackson State Tigers on Oct. 19.
The Rattlers have breathing room.
FAMU receiver Goldie Lawrence caught a 10-yard pass from Richardson to move the Rattlers up 21-10 over Alabama State.
4Q | 8:56 | FAMU 21, Alabama State
FAMU's safety Deco Wilson secured the Rattlers' first defensive turnover by intercepting Alabama State quarterback Zach Sims.
The Rattlers scored immediately with Richardson and Cobb connecting again - this time for 35 yards.
3Q | 9:38 | FAMU 14, Alabama State 7
The Rattlers and the Hornets are at a halftime stalemate, tied at 7-7 during the break.
FAMU is outgaining Alabama State 172-142.
The Rattlers have a balanced attack, but relying on their passing. Quarterback Daniel Richardson has completed 11 of 18 passes for 101 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
All of Alabama State's yards are on the ground, with Jamarie Hostzclaw leading with 114 yards on 10 attempts.
Alabama State knows FAMU has an issue stopping the run.
The Hornets have rushed six times for 102 yards. Jamarie Hostzclaw leads with three attempts for 93 yards.
Alabama State scored on a direct snap to Tacaris Bozeman for a 3-yard touchdown.
1Q | 3:24 | Alabama State 7, FAMU 7
The Rattlers' passing attack is troubling Alabama State.
FAMU quarterback has completed six of nine passing attempts for 67 yards. His latest completion was eight-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ace Cobb.
1Q | 4:12 | FAMU 7, Alabama State 0
FAMU: White helmets, white jerseys, orange pants
Alabama State: Gold helmets, black jerseys, black pants
FAMU is visited Alabama State's homecoming.
The Rattlers haven't visited another team's homecoming since 2017 when they lost at Norfolk State 35-28. FAMU went 3-8 that season, making it an easy target for homecoming games.
The Rattlers plan on spoiled Alabama State's homecoming festivities.
"Obviously, [Alabama State] scheduled us for a reason. So, we're going to make it our homecoming," said FAMU offensive lineman TJ Lee at Tuesday's practice.
83 degrees, Sunny
Expected weather at 3 p.m. ET kickoff: 84 degrees, partly cloudy
Date: Saturday, October 5
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: ASU Stadium (Montgomery, Alabama)
TV channel: Not on traditional TV.
Streaming: ESPN+
Florida A&M vs. Alabama State can be seen exclusively on ESPN+ in Week 6 of the 2024 college football season. It will not air on traditional TV.
The 2024 Rattlers are led by quarterback Daniel Richardson , a grad student who transferred from Florida Atlantic. FAMU has seven preseason All-SWAC selections: offensive lineman Ashton Grable, defensive backs Kendall Bohler and Deco Wilson and kicker Cameron Gillis on the first team, and running back Kelvin Dean, receiver Jamari Gassett and defensive lineman Allen Smith on the second team.
The 2024 Hornets have six players on the preseason All-SWAC first team: offensive lineman Arelious Dunn, defensive lineman Treqwan Thomas, linebackers Rico Dozier and Demarkus Cunningham, defensive back James Burgess and return specialist Robert McMinn.
Series record: Tied 20-20-2
FAMU's last win: September 23, 2023 (23-10)
Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat : FAMU 26, Alabama State 17
"FAMU and Alabama State had slugfests the last two seasons they've met. Expect more of the same on Saturday. FAMU's offense can be electric with Richardson under center. And Alabama State has one of the best defenses in the nation. FAMU will best Alabama State again and raid the Hornets' homecoming festivities."
As of Friday, there were no game lines or odds from BetMGM .
FAMU had no injuries to report.
Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body injured his shoulder in the season opener and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Backup QB Jonah O'Brien is also out, leaving freshman Zach Sims as the starting quarterback.
Weather.com predicts 85 degrees with mostly cloudy skies at kickoff in Montgomery. Winds are expected to blow out of the east about 8 mph. The forecast calls for next to no chance of rain.
August 24: vs. Norfolk State in Atlanta (W, 24-23)
August 31: vs. South Carolina State (W, 22-18)
September 7: at Miami (L 56-9)
September 14: Open
September 21: at Troy (L 34-12)
September 28: Open ( rained out by Hurricane Helene )
October 5: at Alabama State, 3 p.m.
October 12: Open
October 19: at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m.
October 26: vs. Southern, 7 p.m.
November 2: vs. Texas Southern, 4 p.m.
November 9: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
November 16: vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m.
November 23:vs. Bethune-Cookman, 3:30 p.m. in Orlando
November 29: vs. Alabama A&M
Record: 2-2
September 1: vs. North Carolina Central in Miami Gardens, Florida (L 31-24)
September 7: vs. Miles College (W 24-3)
September 14: at Samford (L 12-7)
September 21: Open
September 28: at Bethune-Cookman (W 26-21)
October 5: vs. Florida A&M, 3 p.m.
October 12: vs. Mississippi Valley State, 3 p.m.
October 19: Open
October 26: at Alabama A&M, 3:30 p.m.
November 2: at Alcorn State, 5 p.m.
November 9: at Grambling State, 3 p.m.
November 16: vs. Jackson State, 3 p.m.
November 23: vs. Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
November 28: vs. Tuskegee, 2 p.m.
Record:2-2
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football at Alabama State: Final score, stats, game recap
