The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Rattlers defeated the Alabama State University Hornets in a final score of 23-10 on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The Hornets quarterback Damon Stewart got his first start of the season, but the struggles on offense continued. The Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa is one of the best quarterbacks in the SWAC.
The Hornet offense got the ball to start the game, and it was an ideal start for them. Wide receiver Kisean Johnson caught a catch for a big gain, getting the Hornets into Rattlers territory. It was followed up by a screen pass to running back Ja’Won Howell for another first down. Stewart threw a screen pass to running back Jaylen Stutton, but the opposing defense tackled him for a loss of nine yards. Rattlers linebacker Allen Smith sacked Stewart on third down, forcing the Hornets to punt the ball away.
The Rattlers and their offense went to work.Moussa found wide receiver Marcus Riley down the field for a 24-yard touchdown. A healthy balance of run and pass helped the Rattlers march 94 yards down the field.
The Hornets could not get in rhythm. Stewart threw a near interception on the next play. On second down, he fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by an offensive lineman for a huge loss. At the end of the first quarter, the Rattlers were up 7-0. Moussa was 8-10 for 91 passing yards, while the Rattlers held the Hornets to 20 rushing yards.
Stewart escaped the pocket and managed to get a first down to start the second quarter. Wide receiver Demontrez Brown caught a 13-yard pass to put the Hornets in the red zone. Tight-end AJ Lewis was wide open in the endzone but dropped the pass. The offense had to settle for a field goal to make the score 7-3.
The Rattler had a quick 3-and-out, punting the ball back to the Hornets. Johnson had two big catches to move the chains, but the drive stalled after the Hornets could not convert a fourth and one and turned the ball over.
Florida A&M moved the ball down the field quickly, attempting to score before halftime. On third and two, Moussa found tight-end Jeremiah Pruitte for a gain of 20 yards. On the next play, Rattlers wide receiver Jamarri Gassett had a catch and run for a 36-yard touchdown to increase their lead 14-3 heading into halftime.
The Hornets finally scored a touchdown in the third quarter. Wide receiver Asa Gregg caught a pass after it was deflected off of two Rattlers defenders hands. He raced to the endzone 47 yards to cut the Florida A&M lead to 14-10.
The Hornets started gaining momentum. Defensive lineman Jon Smith-Cobb stripped the football out of the quarterback’s hand, and the fumble was recovered by defensive lineman Andrew Ogletree. The Hornet offense moved the ball into the red zone but came up empty handed after kicker Jayden John missed a short field goal, wide right.
The Rattlers started with the ball to begin the fourth quarter. Rattlers wide receiver Jah’Marae Sheread had a catch for 15 yards. Running back Jaquez Yant lost the football on a run, and it was recovered by Hornets linebacker Demaurez Bellamy. The Hornets could not capitalize off the turnover and quickly went 3-and-out after Stewart overthrew a wide open receiver for what would have been a first down.
Pruitte caught a pass all the way to the Hornets’ 25-yard line. They could not score a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal, pushing their lead to 17-10 with 6:34 left in the fourth quarter.
The Hornets took their time driving down the field, attempting to score a late touchdown. Rattlers cornerback Isaiah Major intercepted the ball and ran into the endzone to seal the win 23-10.