Holmes field disaster !

Rattlers fall to Howard 21-10

The Rattlers (2-5, 1-2) dropped their third straight game at Bragg Memorial Stadium this season with a 21-10 homecoming loss against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Howard University (2-6, 1-3). Head Coach Earl Holmes minced no words in expressing his disappointment.

“It was an ugly game and I am very disappointed,” Holmes said.

Howard bolted to a 13-0 lead in the first period. Kicker Chase Varnadore put FAMU on the board with six seconds left in the first period with a 33-yard field goal for a 13-3 score.

In the second period, the visiting Bison extended their lead with 10:57 left in the half on a one-yard burst by Anthony Philyaw, which capped a 75-yard drive. Philyaw then ran for the two-point conversion to vault Howard ahead, 21-3.

FAMU closed the game’s scoring at the 5:19 mark, as Lemond Buice tallied on a two-yard run to make the score 21-10 at the half.

The Rattlers did not score again for the rest of the game.

Holmes, who picked up a 27-14 conference win against Savannah State last week, is ready to get back on the practice field to retool for another critical MEAC matchup at home against North Carolina A&T in six days.

“We have to continue to work hard to improve and begin playing good, solid Rattler Football,” he said.