The Rattler football team will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face the Ohio State University Buckeyes on Sept. 7, 2013.This game will be the first-ever meeting between the two institutions on the gridiron.
FAMU will be paid an $850,000 guarantee for the contest.
Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes' home, will be the largest the Rattlers have ever played in. In 2003, the Rattlers played before 90,000 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the University of Florida Gators. Ohio Stadium's 102,000 seat stadium, which consistently sells out, will be a new experience for the Rattlers.
The Rattlers and Buckeyes have a several connections. Legendary FAMU Head Coach A.S. "Jake" Gaither, was a graduated of Ohio State, as was Rudy Hubbard, another FAMU Hall of Fame coach. In addition, Ohio State Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes, attended a coaches camp led by Gaither.
Costa "Pop" Kittles, a former FAMU head baseball coach and quarterbacks coach for Gaither earned his master's degree from Ohio State.