In a game defined by grit, clock management, and the relentless churn of cleats on turf, the FAMU Rattlers leaned on their oldest identity—a powerful, punishing run game—to secure a 31-28 road victory over SWAC foe Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions on Saturday afternoon.
The win, sealed in the final minutes at Simmons Bank Field, wasn’t about style points. It was about survival. In a contest that saw both offenses trade blows in the closing minutes, the Rattlers (4-5, 3-2 SWAC) ultimately imposed their will where it matters most: in the trenches.
“A win in this conference on the road, it’s never clean, it’s never easy,” said FAMU head coach James Colzie III, who remains on the hot seat. “But our guys showed tremendous character and resilience. We knew we had to run the football to win, and that’s what we did.”
The ground attack was the undeniable engine of the FAMU victory, churning out 206 yards. Senior running back Thad Franklin Jr. was the workhorse, battering the UAPB defensive front for 122 hard-earned yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, setting a physical tone that lasted all afternoon.
“The offensive line, they were moving people all game,” Franklin said, mud caked on his jersey. “We knew if we could just keep feeding it, keep getting four, five yards a pop, we’d wear them down. That’s Rattler football.”
But it wasn’t a one-man show. Jamal Hailey provided the lightning to Franklin’s thunder, exploding for 76 yards on just seven carries—a blistering 10.9 yards per attempt—including a critical 28-yard touchdown scamper that showcased his breakaway speed.
While the run game controlled the tempo, quarterback RJ Johnson III provided the necessary balance. He efficiently managed the game, completing 17 of 25 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His favorite target, Goldie Lawrence, was a constant big-play threat, hauling in five catches for 95 yards and a score.
“We took what the defense gave us,” Johnson said. “They were stacking the box to stop Thad and Jamal, and that opened up some shots for us downfield. Goldie made some huge plays.”
The game was a nail-biter until the end. UAPB quarterback Christian Peters put on a dazzling performance of his own, throwing for 333 yards and three touchdowns, relentlessly targeting receiver D'Avery Robinson (95 yards, 1 TD). The Golden Lions (3-6, 2-4) converted 9 of 14 third downs, keeping drives alive and the FAMU defense on its heels.
Yet, when it mattered most, the Rattlers’ defense made the key stops. Brian Norris was everywhere, recording a team-high seven tackles, including a sack, while Antonio Camon also brought down the quarterback. The defense’s most crucial statistic was their stifling of the UAPB run game, holding them to a mere 95 yards and making them one-dimensional.
The victory keeps FAMUU’s hopes for a strong finish to the season very much alive. In a game of slim margins—FAMU outgained UAPB offensively by a single yard, 441-440.
It was a win built not on flash, but on foundation. And for a team looking to build momentum for a final push, that foundation, laid brick by brick on the ground, proved to be rock solid.
The Rattlers head to Normal, AL, next to take on the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M on November 15 at 3 pm EST.