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CHAMPIONSHIP RAIN AT BRAGG: FAMU claims first SWAC football title in stormy weather | Takeaways
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- CHAMPIONSHIP RAIN AT BRAGG: FAMU claims first SWAC football title in stormy weather | Takeaways
Make room for Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse's trophy case.
The Florida A&M Rattlers are the Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Champions .
FAMU (11-1), ranked fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll , hosted and defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers (6-6) 35-14 Saturday on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium .
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It was the Rattlers' first postseason home game since the 1998 Division I-AA (now FCS) First Round .
"A great day for Tallahassee, FAMU, and these young men," FAMU head coach Willie Simmons , who won his first conference title, said.
"It warms my heart to celebrate a goal we set for ourselves long ago."
FAMU had 14,628 fans watch through the rainy conditions and two game delays due to lightning. However, a poised and determined FAMU won its 20th consecutive home game to secure its first SWAC Championship in its third year in the conference.
Additionally, FAMU's streak at Bragg is the longest in the nation as Montana State fell to North Dakota State 35-34 in the FCS Quarterfinals .
FAMU, which also beat PVAMU in its homecoming game Oct. 28 , outgained the Panthers 448-274.
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Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings led the way with 17 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns. His performance got him the SWAC Championship's Offensive Most Valuable Player.
FAMU defensive back Javan Morgan had five tackles and two interceptions, earning the Defensive MVP.
To determine the Black College Football National Champion, FAMU will play Howard (6-5), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference winner, in the HBCU Celebration Bowl .
The game is on Dec. 16 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium .
"I look forward to the matchup," Simmons previewed the FAMU-Howard game. "We're going to make sure we bring it home for the SWAC this year.
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FAMU offense maintains balance to outmatch Prairie View
FAMU football defeats Prairie View A&M 35-14 to win the SWAC title game at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023
The Rattlers' offense clicked on all cylinders.
FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa completed 13 of 22 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target was Marcus Riley , who had five catches for 132 yards and a touchdown.
"Marcus has battled many injuries this season," Simmons said. " [FAMU receivers coach Antonio Carter] said it was the best week of practice he had all year.
"[Riley is a] big-time player for us, and you just saw he was going to be able to come in and play a great game."
Jennings' performance made him the single-game 100-yard rusher this season.
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"I want to give thanks to my offensive line. I read my keys and ran behind the big boys," Jennings said.
"It was God's plan, and I did what I did."
FAMU's top-ranked Dark Cloud Defense gathers over the Prairie View
FAMU football defeats Prairie View A&M 35-14 to win the SWAC title game at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023
The Rattlers boast the top total defense in the FCS .
And it showed.
FAMU's Dark Cloud Defense held PVAMU to 274 yards, two touchdowns, and forced three turnovers. The Rattlers interceptedPVAMU quarterbacks Trazon Connley , Chris Herron , and Kenneth Patterson once apiece.
Morgan had two first-half interceptions, while fellow defensive back Deco Wilson secured a pick in the fourth quarter.
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"We took it one play at a time," Morgan said of his MVP performance. "We played them before, so it was nothing new."
The Rattlers have forced a turnover in 11 of 12 games.
Tallahassee weather slows down the FAMU and Prairie View SWAC title game
FAMU football defeats Prairie View A&M 35-14 to win the SWAC title game at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023
It was some nasty weather at Bragg due to rain and lightning.
First, the game's 4 p.m. kickoff got delayed by 32 minutes.
The game also paused early in the third quarter during the second half's opening drive by the Rattlers.
The SWAC title's initial 30-minute delay was restarted after lightning was detected in the area again.
"It was just a little adversity," Jennings reflected. "Coach Simmons preaches that. We took that in and bonded in the locker room."
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After FAMU got held on a fourth down run by Kelvin Dean Jr. , PVAMU responded with a two-play, 43-yard drive punctuated by a 35-yard rushing touchdown by Ahmad Antoine .
But the Rattlers outscored the Panthers 14-7 in the second half with second-half touchdowns by Riley and Jennings.
"I went in my office and closed the door," Simmons said of what he did during the delay.
"We couldn't control when the lightning would hit. Those guys locked in immediately, and it showed the maturity of this football team."
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: No. 5 Rattlers win first-ever SWAC Championship | Takeaways
