In a game defined by explosive plays and relentless offensive execution, the FAMU Rattlers unleashed a fourth-quarter barrage to secure a vital 43-35 road victory over Southern University on Saturday afternoon at A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA.
The Rattlers (3-4, 2-1 SWAC), who entered the contest seeking consistency, found it in the form of a dominant ground game and near-flawless quarterback play. The FAMU offense erupted for 21 points in the final period to turn a tight battle into a statement win, keeping their conference ambitions firmly alive.
The engine of the FAMU offense was junior running back Jamal Hailey, who carved through the Jaguars’ defense for 157 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging a staggering 8.3 yards per carry. His blend of vision and power wore down Southern’s front, particularly in the decisive final quarter.
“We knew we had to establish the run, and the offensive line was incredible today,” Hailey said. “Once we got rolling in the fourth, we felt like they couldn’t stop us. We just kept pushing.”
Complementing Hailey’s heroics was quarterback RJ Johnson III, who delivered a masterful performance in managing the game. Johnson was efficient and explosive, completing 22 of 32 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown through the air without an interception. He also added a crucial rushing touchdown, showcasing the dual-threat capability that kept the Southern defense off-balance all afternoon.
“RJ was poised, he was smart with the football, and he made the plays when they were there,” said FAMU head coach James Colzie III. “That’s the leadership we need from him. This was a complete team win against a very talented team in a tough environment.”
While the Jaguars (1-7, 0-4) were led by a stellar effort from running back Trey Holly, who galloped for 145 yards and two scores, they could not keep pace with FAMU’s offensive firepower. Southern’s passing attack was held to 197 yards, unable to consistently answer the Rattlers’ scores in the second half.
The game turned definitively in the fourth quarter. After Southern closed the gap to a single score, Johnson engineered two lengthy drives, both capped by Hailey touchdown runs, that stretched the lead and silenced the home crowd. Kicker Daniel Porto provided valuable stability, connecting on three field goals, including a 48-yarder.
Defensively, linebacker Jason Riles Jr. was everywhere for the Rattlers, racking up a game-high 12 tackles and serving as the anchor against Southern’s potent rushing attack. The unit’s ability to get key stops on third down—Southern converted 9 of 15—proved critical in a game where every possession mattered.
With the win, FAMU climbs to 2-1 in conference play and gains crucial momentum as they enter the heart of their SWAC schedule. For a team that has fought through early-season adversity, the performance in Baton Rouge—a total of 547 offensive yards and a nearly flawless execution when it mattered most—signals that the Rattlers are finding their form at a good time. FAMU will need to keep that same kind of energy and an even better performance this week as they host defending HBCU National/SWAC Champions Jackson State in Bragg on this Saturday.