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FAMU puts forth complete performance in homecoming football game blowout | Takeaways
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- FAMU puts forth complete performance in homecoming football game blowout | Takeaways
The Florida A&M homecoming celebration wasn't just on Perry Street, as the Rattlers football team claimed a 45-7 homecoming victory over Prairie View A&M Saturday on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium .
Playing its first home game in a month, FAMU's win and Alabama A&M's loss to Alabama State means the Rattlers clinched the Southwestern Athletic Conference East championship, earning them a bid to the league's title game on Dec. 2.
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With an explosive display from the offense, FAMU extends its home winning streak to 18 games , the second longest in FCS behind Montana State 's 24.
Three games remain in the regular season, with the 14th-ranked FCS Coaches Poll Rattlers hitting the road next week to play Alabama A&M.
With that said, here are the takeaways from FAMU's homecoming victory.
FAMU offense hits stride, has most complete game of the season
The Rattlers' offense showed early signs of a big performance and an open playbook against PVAMU, scoring on the second drive of the game. Posting its highest point total of the season with 45 points, FAMU's offense put together a complete game with minimal hiccups.
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Utilizing different sets, including play actions, options routes, and trick plays, FAMU was able to attack the Panthers' defense in different ways. Using a balance of the pass and the run, the Rattlers put together arguably its best offensive display of the season, posting 453 total yards of offense.
"I thought for the most part the guys executed," FAMU head coach Willie Simmons said. "We were able to break some runs, we had a three-play, 97-yard scoring drive and had some big plays in the passing game — that's the form of success."
Quarterback Jeremy Moussa completed 14 of his 25 passes for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, with Jah'Marae Sheread being the primary receiver. Hauling in four catches for 76 receiving yards and a 52-yard touchdown on the third play of the second half, his second of the season, Sheread lived up to the 'RAC Boyz' name.
Posting 181 yards on the ground, led by Jaquez Yant and Terrell Jennings , all four FAMU running backs who had carries ran at least one play for 20 yards or more. Averaging just over six yards per carry, the Rattler running backs put together a dominant display and both Jennings and Kelvin Dean Jr. got into the endzone.
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"Hard fought game, the guys played really good," Simmons said. "We had some misses out there, but overall I thought offensively and defensively, that may have been our best game."
FAMU's Dark Cloud Defense's backend shows up after being challenged
Florida A&M defensive back Jalen Glaze (13) secured his first college interception against the Prairie View A&M Panthers at the Rattlers' homecoming football game at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Rattlers coach Simmons challenged his defensive backs to play more aggressively to end the season, and against PVAMU, they answered the call.
Catching three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown by defensive back Tevin Griffey , the FAMU defensive backs led the Dark Cloud Defense , allowing one touchdown against PVAMU. Jalen Glaze and Eric Smith joined Griffey in grabbing interceptions against the Panthers, with Glaze taking his back 59 yards late in the second quarter to set up a touchdown for FAMU right before halftime.
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"I thought the guys did a great job of blocking out the distractions and being able to take the field and play one of our most complete games," Simmons said. "Excited for that, but again, the work is not done. We got to continue to make good decisions and continue to sacrifice and do the things we need to do to accomplish our goals."
Allowing 280 yards on 66 plays, the Rattlers had three sacks and eight tackles for a loss against the Panthers, sealing arguably FAMU's best defensive game of the season. Shutting out PVAMU in the second half, this is the second lowest point total allowed by the defense all season, the other being in the 31-7 win over Mississippi Valley State in week five.
The defensive backs were not the only group to step up for the Rattlers' defense Saturday night, as linebacker Isaiah Major led the team in tackles with 11 against PVAMU, including two tackles for a loss and a quarterback hurry. Both the linebackers and defensive line were getting into the backfield with ease, forcing hurried throws from Panthers quarterback Trazon Connley .
"It all starts with what happens up front, I think most interceptions are errant throws or rushed throws," Simmons said. "Because of the pressure the d-line places on the quarterback, we're able to really put ourselves in a position to get those three interceptions."
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A historic first for FAMU and head coach Willie Simmons
Florida A&M head football coach Willie Simmons won his first divisional championship and FAMU's first Southwestern Athletic Conference East title as a head coach by beating the Prairie View Panthers 45-7 at the Rattlers' homecoming football game at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
For the first time in FAMU history, the Rattlers are SWAC East champions.
Joining the SWAC in 2021 , FAMU's first division title is another accomplishment to add to FAMU's lengthy legacy of winning.
"It's very hard to do something for the first time at this university, and at this point in 2023 if you say you're the first one to do something here that's a huge task," Simmons said. "There have been so many great things that have happened over our history. But we're able to say that with a very first SWAC East Divisional champion, and that's a special feeling."
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For Simmons, it is his first divisional title as a head coach, and it comes against the team that gave him his first head coaching role. He said it's a moment he'll never forget, and claiming the crown on homecoming and a night that honored former FAMU athletics champions made it that much better.
"It's an amazing feeling, you always remember your first. I remember my first win. I remember my first win here [Bragg] and now I'll always remember my first SWAC East championship right here at home," Simmons said.
"What better way to do it than right here on homecoming?"
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamroone y.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers win homecoming, claim SWAC East | Takeaways
