KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A historic setback: Southern defeated FAMU, 42-12, ending the Rattlers’ winning streak against the Jaguars that dated to 2011.
- A disappointing home crowd: Just 10,224 fans attended the game at Bragg Memorial Stadium, the smallest crowd of the season.
- A season slipping away: FAMU dropped to 2-7 overall and 1-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while Southern improved to 4-5 and 2-3.
The FAMU Rattlers' season continued to unravel Saturday, and this time the disappointment came at the hands of a familiar conference rival.
Southern University rolled past FAMU, 42-12, at Bragg Memorial Stadium, handing the Rattlers their third consecutive defeat and delivering a historic blow to a program already struggling to find its footing. The loss marked Southern's first victory over FAMU since 2011, ending a streak of Rattlers' dominance in the series. It was also the Jaguars' first victory at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 25 years.
For FAMU, the defeat was another difficult chapter in a season that has fallen well short of expectations.
The disappointment was reflected not only on the scoreboard but also in the stands. A season-low 10,224 fans attended the game, an indication of the growing frustration surrounding a Rattlers team that has struggled to produce consistent results.
FAMU fell to 2-7 overall and 1-4 in the SWAC. Southern improved to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
The 30-point margin underscored the distance between the two teams on this afternoon, as Southern controlled the outcome and left Tallahassee with a victory that had eluded the Jaguars for more than two decades.
For the Rattlers, the stakes now extend beyond a single game. With three consecutive losses and a losing conference record, FAMU faces mounting questions about its ability to finish the season with momentum. The loss to Southern was particularly difficult given the history between the programs. FAMU had long maintained an edge in the rivalry, especially at Bragg, where Southern had not won in a quarter-century.
That history ended Saturday.