After three straight weeks on the road, the Rattlers return home for a two-game home stand hosting Delaware State (2-2, 0-1) this afternoon and Howard University (1-3, 0-2) for Homecoming, Oct. 8.
After that, its back to the road for two bouts at Savannah State (Oct. 15) and the nationally-televised Oct. 22 season showdown in Orangeburg, S.C., against league-leading South Carolina State.
GAME FIVE PREVIEW:
Florida A&M Ratttlers (2-2, 0-1 in MEAC) vs.
Delaware State Hornets (2-2, 0-1)
Saturday, October 1, 2011 * Bragg Memorial Stadium
Tallahassee, Florida * 6:00 p.m. * Radio: WHBX-FM (96.1)
The Rattlers and the Hornets have faced each other 26 times on the field with FAMU leading the series 18-8. FAMU currently has a two-game win streak against DSUwinning 17-14 in 2010 at Alumni Stadium and 21-12 in 2009 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. The last time the Hornets defeated the Rattlers was in 2008 with DSU winning, 35-28 in overtime in Delaware.
THE COACHING MATCHUP: Florida A&M’s Joseph “Joe” Taylor (Western Illinois,’72) is in his 29th season as a collegiate head coach, bringing a career record of 224-89-4 into the fifth week of the season…. Kermit Blount (WSSU, 1980) is in his first season as head coach of Delaware State and his 17th season as a collegiate head coach, bringing a career record of 92-89-3 into the fifth week of the season….. Blount is currently 1-4 all-time against Taylor.
RATTLERS AT A GLANCE (2-2, 0-1): FAMU is currently 2-2 and 0-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play as they picked up their second win of the season in a 38-33 decision over Southern University in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic last Saturday, ending a two-game losing streak.
HORNETS AT A GLANCE (2-2, 0-1): Delaware State is currently 2-2 and 0-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Hornets won their first two games of the season with a 24-21 win over the Virginia Military Institute and a 31-27 win over Shaw University. No. 7 Delaware handed DSU their first loss of the season in a 45-0 loss, then South Carolina State swatted the Hornets a69-0 last week in Orangeburg.
DSU’s Leading Men:
@ Jaashawn Jones is the Hornets top rusher as he has rushed for 143 yards on 39 carries with one TD. Behind Jones is Josh Bailey as he has rushed for 48 yards on 18 carries.
@ Nick Elko is the Hornets signal caller as he has completed 75-of-136 passes for 659 yards with six TDs.
@ Darius Jackson is DSU’s leading receiver with 150 yards on 15 catches through three games with two TDs.
@ Brandon Harvey leads the Hornets defense as he has tallied 26 tackles (18 UA, 8 A), 4.0 tackles for loss and one interception through three games, while Quentin Ferguson is the Hornets second leading tackler with 23 tackles (14 UA, 9 A), 2.0 tackles for loss, and one sack.