Game recap: FAMU football defeats Albany State 23-13 for first win of season
Takeaways: No place like home: FAMU gets in win column in home opener against Albany State
Having already played two games this season, Florida A&M football (0-2, 0-1 SWAC) hosted Albany State (1-0) to lead off three consecutive home games.
Saturday was the first game in the newly-upgraded Bragg Memorial Stadium in 315 days, when the Rattlers defeated Grambling State for homecoming.
Last week, FAMU suffered its worst loss to an HBCU in program history from the 59-3 rout against Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic.
FAMU's opponent, Albany State is the reigning Division II SIAC champions — going 10-2 in 2021.
Albany State won its season-opening contest 28-14 against Mississippi College, and then lost to FAMU 13-23.
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9:36 | FAMU clinches first win of 2022
Florida A&M enters its off week with a much-needed victory.
The Rattlers beat Albany State 23-13 in their home opener Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium for their first win of the season before a crowd of 18,870.
After dropping games against North Carolina and SWAC rival Jackson State and dealing with eligibility and NCAA certification issues, FAMU can exhale and continue to reset.
The Rattlers, off next Saturday, return to play at home against Alabama A&M at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.
While coach Willie Simmons stressed his team must play much better moving forward, FAMU turned in a complete-game effort against the Golden Rams.
More: Stats Package: FAMU wins first game of season, home opener vs. Albany State
The Rattlers out-gained the visitors 395-290.
"We have to get back to detailed-oriented football. If we do that we have the talent, we have the playmakers to be dynamic in all three phases," Simmons said." But again, it doesn't just happen... we have to practice that way and we have to focus and commit ourselves.
"But, all in all, definitely excited to get a win."
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Rattlers scored 23 unanswered points.
Albany State added a late rushing touchdown on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1 late in the game.
FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa completed 16 of 29 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown.
Rattlers receiver Xavier Smith had a game-high eight receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU extended its home winning streak to 11 dating back to 2018.
The Rattlers entered with the fourth-longest home game winning streak in the nation in the FCS behind Montana State (13), North Dakota State (11) and Kennesaw State (11).
"I thought they were able to kind of focus in on what we needed to do," Simmons said of his team's ability to bounce back from the emotional defeat to JSU.
"They really carried an emotional letdown of a big loss, which we had last week (JSU). They were able to bounce back. I thought especially in a short week the guys really did a good job of responding. We just have to get ourselves used to playing high-level football for 60 minutes."
9:17 | FAMU putting final touches on Albany State
FAMU has utilized a lot of clock in the second half by holding on to the ball for over 12 minutes.
Albany State drove the ball just short of the redzone before turning the ball over on downs.
With 4:46 left for the night, FAMU may tray to drain the rest of the time left to secure its first win of the season.
8:38 p.m. | FAMU slowing it down — but still gaining
FAMU is playing with a lead after taking 8:07 on its first drive.
The Rattlers have relied heavily on the run since the beginning of the second half.
The bulk of FAMU's carries went to Francis, who rushed six times for 23 yards. He has 14 carries on 77 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU is currently leading 20-7 with 3:40 left in the third quarter.
7:50 | Rattlers score 17 unanswered in 2nd quarter
After a 36-yard field goal by Jose Romo-Ramirez, FAMU held its first lead of the 2022 season.
The Rattlers also football forced their first turnover of the season from a Timothy Williams, Jr. interception.
Utilizing its passing game and up-tempo offense, FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa found Xavier Smith twice for 54 yards. The second reception by Smith was an eight-yard touchdown catch from Moussa to score 17 unanswered points.
FAMU didn't allow Albany State to cross the 50-yard mark all second quarter.
7:09 | FAMU defense forces first three and out of game for both teams
FAMU is forcing Albany State quarterback Dionte Bonneau out of the pocket on the pass rush.
Isaiah Land is beating his matchup at left tackle with speed to pressure the passing of Albany State.
6:54 | FAMU offense comes alive
The Rattlers used their passing to advance them about midfield.
They began to run through Jaylen McCloud, who broke away for a 17-yard run. Former Rickards standout DeAndre Francis is also being implemented as he's rushed for a 14-yard gain.
Francis converted a 1-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game up at 7.
6:16 | Golden Rams uses balanced attack to strike first on the Rattlers
Albany State drove the ball 81 yards on a mixture of passing by Dionte Bonneau and rushing by running backs Marcuis Fulks and Kam Ward.
Pushed back to the redzone, the Rattlers allowed the Golden Rams to score on a 7-yard by Fulks.
Drive: 12 plays, 81 yards, TOP 5:53
Despite the Rattlers winning 11 of the 14 meetings against Albany State, they are currently on a two-game losing streak against the Golden Rams.
Albany State won the last meeting 14-6 in 1993 and 34-2 in 1986.
5:59 | Albany State wins toss
Golden Rams elects to kick; FAMU will receive
5:20 p.m. | Teams warming up
Weather: 73 degrees, partly cloudy. It rained earlier Saturday but has stopped.
FAMU uniforms: White helmet, orange jersey, orange pants.
Albany State: Grey helmets, white jerseys, white pants.
FAMU has a new video board behind the north end zone
New signage Bragg Memorial: AT&T, Louisiana Hot Sauce and locally-owned Kraft Nissan
Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football live score: Rattlers vs. Albany State for home opener
