HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University football team looks to get back into the win column as the Bulldogs entertain Florida A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) showdown on Saturday at Louis Crews Stadium. Kickoff against the Rattlers is set for 1 p.m.
Florida A&M, ranked No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Top 25 and No. 15 in the STATS FCS Poll, has already clinched the top spot in the SWAC East Division after defeating Prairie View A&M last weekend.
Alabama A&M (4-4 overall, 2-3 SWAC) struggled to get the offense in gear last week as the Bulldogs fell in the 82
nd Annual Magic City Classic, 31-16, to rival Alabama State. AAMU came into that game as the top offense in the SWAC and was held to 290 total yards of offense. The Bulldogs surrendered a punt return for a score, a blocked field goal returned for a score and a Hail Mary in the loss to the Hornets.
Florida A&M (7-1, 6-0) has been on cruise control for nearly three seasons, racking up a 25-6 overall record and 20-2 mark in conference play. The Rattlers enter Saturday's game riding a 13-game SWAC winning streak. FAMU celebrated homecoming last weekend and winning the SWAC East title with a 45-7 rout of PVAMU. The Rattlers are nearly perfect in the 17 previous meetings over the Bulldogs, winning 15 games, with Alabama A&M's victories coming in 1971 and 1979.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ as Santaria Black and Ossie Clark will have the call. Fans can listen to the broadcast on WJAB 90.9 FM as Ted Dixie will have the call.
Alabama A&M head coach
Connell Maynor knows Saturday's game will be tough as Florida A&M comes into the game with one of the best defenses in the FCS.
"We were disappointed in the way we played last weekend," Maynor said. "I think everybody left with a sick feeling in their stomach after that game (Magic City Classic). We didn't play very good, especially in special teams. We weren't pleased with how we played, but at the end of the day, you can't live off last week. You've got to get ready for your next opponent.
"Our next opponent is Florida A&M, the best team in the conference. They are ranked and they are going to come in here ready to play, and we've got to match that. It's a great opportunity and we look forward to it."
LAST MEETING
Alabama A&M jumped out to a quick first-quarter lead as
Gary Quarles scored on a 2-yard run and
Victor Barbosa booted a 42-yard field goal as the Bulldogs controlled the first and took a 10-0 advantage into the second.
The Rattlers trimmed the deficit to 10-7 after a Terrell Jennings 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, but a safety and a
Donovan Eaglin 1-yard touchdown run pushed the margin to 19-7 with 1:26 left in the first half.
However, the Rattlers took some momentum into second half as Xavier Smith caught a 20-yard pass from Jeremy Moussa with 15 seconds remaining as FAMU closed the gap to 19-14 at the break.
The touchdown before the half sparked 31 straight points by the Rattlers as Florida A&M seized control of the game midway through the final quarter, leading 38-19.
A 29-yard touchdown pass from
Xavier Lankford to Cameron Young closed the scoring with 34 seconds left as Florida A&M celebrated the home win, 38-25.
SERIES HISTORY
- Alabama A&M and Alabama State will be meeting for the 18th time
- Florida A&M owns the all-time series, 15-2
- The series dates back to 1932, a 54-7 victory for Florida A&M
- Alabama A&M's victories have come in 1971 (14-13) and 1979 (19-14)
- FAMU is 2-0 over AAMU since joining the SWAC in 2020
- The Rattlers are riding a three-game winning streak in the series
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
- Alabama A&M must protect the quarterback
- AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
- The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties
ALABAMA A&M NATIONAL STATISTICS
- The Bulldogs rank second in fourth-down conversion percentage defense
- AAMU is third in the FCS in punt returns
- Alabama A&M is ninth in the country fumbles recovered
- The Bulldogs are 11th in the FCS in blocked kicks
- Terrell Gardner ranks second nationally in punt returns and third in punt return touchdowns
- Jamarion Ellis is sixth in the country in fumbles recovered
FLORIDA A&M NATIONAL STATISTICS
- The Rattlers rank tops nationally in total tackles for loss
- FAMU is second in the country in winning percentage
- Florida A&M is third in the FCS in scoring defense
- The Rattlers are fourth third down conversion percentage defense and total defense
- FAMU ranks fifth in the FCS in defensive touchdowns
- Florida A&M is seventh nationally in team sacks and rushing defense
- Marcus Riley is fourth in the FCS in kickoff return touchdowns
- Allen Smith ranks sixth in the country in fumbles recovered
- Jeremy Moussa is ninth nationally in passing touchdowns
- Anthony Dunn Jr. ranks seventh in the country in sacks
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT
- The Bulldogs visit Bethune-Cookman for their final road trip of the season on Nov. 11
- Since the Wildcats have joined the SWAC, Alabama A&M is a perfect 2-0
- AAMU defeated 35-27 last season inside Louis Crews Stadium
- Despite the perfect record in the SWAC over BCU, Alabama A&M trails the all-time series, 11-6-1, which dates back to 1924
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics) and Twitter (@_aamuathletics).
