The Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. era at FAMU began with a win.
Before a Bragg Memorial Stadium crowd of 14,047 on Saturday night, the Rattlers defeated Albany State 20-7.
FAMU scored first with 4:26 left in the opening quarter to a 7-0 lead, then stretched it to 10-0 before the period ended. A field goal early in the fourth made it 13-0, and another score pushed the margin to 20-0. Albany State managed only a late touchdown.
The Rattlers controlled the game at the line of scrimmage. They out gained Albany State 260-163, including a 70-3 edge on the ground, and won the turnover battle 1-0 after recovering a fumble. The defense recorded 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Albany State converted just 2 of 11 third downs. Punter Bobby Engstler averaged 46.4 yards on five kicks and pinned the Golden Rams inside their 20 three times.
Yet the offense remains a work in progress under starting quarterback Isaiah Knowles, an Albany State transfer. Highlight catches by wide receiver Corey “Deuce” Petty and tight end Xavier Herndon provided sparks, but the Rattlers struggled to finish drives even after big plays and short fields created by the defense and special teams.
One third-quarter sequence captured both the promise and the unfinished business. Herndon made an impressive 27-yard reception while falling in double coverage. On the next play, FAMU attempted a reverse. Knowles appeared ready to pitch the ball, then fumbled. The drive stalled.
“I thought he did a good job commanding the offense,” Gray said of Knowles. “I trust that guy with everything I got.”
The coach kept the result in perspective. “A win is a win,” Gray said. “Like I said early this week, it’s not a tune-up game. Albany State has some talent. And it was obvious today.”
For FAMU, the night was an introduction. The defense can overwhelm. The special teams can pin opponents deep. The offense still has chapters left to write.