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| Kendall Bohler returns blocked field goal for a TD on final play of the game. |
The FAMU Rattlers (8-2, 6-1 SWAC) managed to win their eight-straight victory, and keep their playoff hopes alive, Saturday afternoon, with a thrilling 21-14 nail bitter against conference foe Alabama State (6-4, 4-3 SWAC) in Montgomery, AL.
To say the finish was dramatic, would be the understatement of the year. The Rattlers, holding on to a 15-14 lead, had possession of the ball with 37 seconds remaining in the game, but managed to go four and out and give ASU the ball back with 29 seconds left in the game.
ASU used 27 seconds to complete three quick passes to the side line to move the ball from their 38 yard line to the FAMU 35. Then attempted a 52-yard field goal with two second remaining in the game. The field was blocked by FAMU and returned by Rattler defensive back Kendall Bohler who sprinted 52-yards for a touchdown as time ran out to secure the win.
The Rattler offense moved the ball throughout the game, finishing with 384 yards (277 passing and 107 rushing), but struggled in the red zone, only converting 2 of 6 trips into points, and throwing three interceptions. The FAMU defense held the ASU offense to just 138-yards offense.
"We fought when adversity was against us when the chips were down. We didn't get calls (we thought we should),” said Head Coach Willie Simmons . “When we thought the game was over, you know, when we stopped them the first time, our guys kept fighting. When we got down for them to kick the game-winning field goal, we kept fighting, and that's the sign of a championship football team. That's the sign of championship individuals, and that's what I'm most proud of."
"If we can learn to keep that same fight that we showed tonight, then we're going to (continue) to be successful in life. Every day ain't perfect, and every game ain't perfect. We played as poorly as we could play at times, but we found a way to get it done.”
The Rattlers travel to Orlando, Florida, this week for the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic versus the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Saturday, November 19, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.