Florida A&M University left no room for doubt on Saturday evening. Rattlers outmatched the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University, 34-7, for their thirteenth straight win at home.
Caught in the Snake Pit
As expected, the ‘Dark Clouds’ defense of the Rattlers was on full display for the 10,699 reported fans at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee. However, arguably the best home-field advantage in HBCU football was on full display as well. Newly renovated, the iconic venue hasn’t witnessed the Rattlers lose to an opposing team in four years. That said, MVSU’s storied football program has never defeated FAMU at all.
When Dark Clouds Gather (Again)
After allowing the Devils a single-scoring drive in the opening minutes of the game, five different Rattlers recorded sacks on the hapless quarterback from Itta Bena, Mississippi. Isaiah Major and Kortney Cox led the way with five key tackles each, and other key contributions to an effort that held the visiting team scoreless for three quarters. MVSU ended the day with 139 total yards of offense.
On the offensive side of the ball, FAMU’s 400+ yards of offense, including 200+ on the arm of starting quarterback Jeremy Moussa, was more than enough for MVSU, while still being an achievement for the talent-rich program. Celebrating a streak of his own, Xavier Smith of Haines City (Ridge HS), has now scored a touchdown in three straight game, and eclipsed his season total from last year. Despite this, Head Coach Willie Simmons made no secret of his disappointment with the offense’s first-half effort.
“Offensively, we struggled, didn’t take advantage of a lot of situations. I really challenged the guys at halftime to be the offense that we are capable of being.”
Next week’s contest will certainly be a harder test for Coach Simmons’ team than winless Mississippi Valley State. But for now, the streak continues, and the FAMU faithful seem united behind one goal:
Just don’t lose at Bragg.
On October 8th, the Rattlers travel to a far-less accommodating venue, while seeking their first road win of the season at Olive C. Dawson Stadium against the defending Celebration Bowl champion South Carolina State Bulldogs.
THE CONVERSATION.