Key Takeaways
- A defensive mismatch: Alcorn State leads the FCS in scoring at 43 points per game, a major concern for a Florida A&M defense that has struggled this season.
- FAMU’s offense is showing progress: Quarterback Armond Parker has thrown for more than 260 yards in consecutive games, while Corey Petty is coming off his first 100-yard receiving performance of the season.
- Home-field advantage: Alcorn State is 3-0 at home and enters Saturday following a 52-17 victory over Mississippi Valley State.
FAMU faces a difficult assignment this afternoon, traveling to Mississippi to take on an Alcorn State offense that has been among the most productive in the FCS.
The Rattlers (2-7, 1-4 SWAC) will meet the Braves (5-4, 3-2) at 3 p.m. Eastern at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium in Lorman. The game will stream on SWAC TV.
Alcorn State leads the FCS in scoring, averaging 43 points per game, a particularly daunting matchup for a FAMU defense that has struggled to contain opposing offenses this season. The Braves are 3-0 at home and are coming off a 52-17 rout of Mississippi Valley State.
FAMU, meanwhile, has shown signs of improvement through the air. Parker has surpassed 260 passing yards in each of his past two games, while Petty recorded his first 100-yard receiving performance of the season. The problem is the Rattler defense has been one the FCS' most generous, and has particularly struggled against stopping the run.
That offensive progress will be important if the Rattlers hope to keep pace with Alcorn State. But slowing the Braves could prove to be the bigger challenge.
The teams have split their two previous meetings. FAMU won the most recent matchup, 33-28, in Tallahassee last season.
The Rattlers now face the task of replicating that result on the road against a Braves team that has been particularly difficult to beat at home.