Bulldogs to close out home campaign against Rattlers

NORMAL — Alabama A&M looks to close out its home slate on a high note Saturday when Florida A&M visits Louis Crews Stadium on Senior Day. Kickoff against the Rattlers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup is 2 p.m.

Saturday’s game marks the 15^th edition of the matchup since 1965 with Florida A&M owning a 12-2 record in the series.

Alabama A&M (4-6 overall, 1-5 SWAC) started strong last weekend at home against Prairie View A&M, scoring the first five points on a field goal by David Faulk and a safety, but the Panthers closed out the scoring with 48 unanswered points in the 48-5 victory.

“We’ve been able to get out to a good start in the first quarter in a lot of our games,” Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade said. “We haven’t been able to hold on to those leads.

“We’re still searching for what’s missing from our team and we have to be able to play a complete game.”

Florida A&M (4-5, 3-2 SWAC) enters the contest riding momentum after a thrilling 31-28 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Rattlers boast one of the league’s most balanced offenses, powered by quarterback RJ Johnson III and running back Thad Franklin Jr. Johnson has passed for 1,787 yards with 11 touchdowns, while Franklin leads the ground attack with 554 yards and five scores.

The game will be carried on SWAC TV with Mo Carter (play-by-play), Stan Becton (analyst) and Symone Stanley (sideline) on the call. Fans can tune into WJAB FM 90.9 and hear Maurice Brooks (play-by-play), Thai Floyd (analyst) and Chauncy Sanders (pregame and postgame) bring the action.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Alabama A&M and Florida A&M will be meeting for the 15th time
• Saturday’s game is Senior Day and Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Day
• The Bulldogs enter having dropped five out of their last six games
• The Rattlers have won three out of their last four games
• This will be the first meeting between AAMU head coach Sam Shade and FAMU head coach James Colzie III

BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M has lost five of its last six games, including classic matchups against Jackson State and Alabama State
• The Bulldogs are coming off a 48-5 home loss to Prairie View A&M last weekend
• Kicker David Faulk is perfect this season on field goals since taking over the duties on Sept. 20 (7-for-7)
• The Bulldogs have scored in the opening quarter in 15 straight games, dating back to Nov. 2, 2024 vs. Southern
• Alabama A&M ranks third in the FCS in fourth down conversion percentage defense (first in SWAC), fourth down conversion percentage (second in SWAC) and 29^th in red zone offense (second in SWAC
• Keon Handley Jr. is second in the country, first in the conference, in fumbles recovered

RATTLERS AT A GLANCE

• Florida A&M enters the game off a 31-28 road victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last weekend
• Quarterback RJ Johnson III has thrown for 1,787 yards, along with 11 touchdowns and just one interception
• The backfield duo of Thad Franklin Jr. (554 yards, 5 TDs) and Jamal Hailey provides balance.
• Wide receiver Kenari Wilcher is the top target at 404 yards 404 yards
• FAMU is allowing 34.4 points per contest as opponents convert more than 50% on third downs
• Florida A&M ranks second in the FCS in fumbles lost (first in SWAC) and seventh in turnovers lost (first in SWAC)
• Kicker Daniel Porto ranks third in the country in field goals per game (first in SWAC) and 10^th in field goal percentage (second in SWAC)

SERIES HISTORY

• Alabama A&M and Florida A&M will meet for the 15^th time
• The Rattlers lead the all-time series, 12-2
• Florida A&M has won the past four meetings
• Alabama A&M’s last win in the series came in 1979 (19-14)

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M needs to protect the line of scrimmage
• AAMU needs to win the turnover battle
• The Bulldogs must avoid committing a ton of penalties