The game announcer repeatedly proclaimed “The Rattlers are back” as the FAMU football team defeated the North Carolina A& T Aggies for the first time since 1998.
After watching Saturday’s game, you can’t help but to maintain faith in our Rattlers.
“The Rattlers are back.”
It was great to watch the team maintain determination and amount victorious in a hard fought battle.
Although not playing their best game against the Aggies (three fumbles, one interception, two blocked punts), the team’s performance was respectable.
Coach Billy Joe’s Gulf Coast Offense proved effective and the Rattler running game made a comeback.
Going on the road next week, the Rattlers are almost guaranteed a win at Norfolk State. The Spartans (0-4 MEAC, 2-4 overall) fell victim to the venom last season, losing 47-9.
But more difficult contests loom in the future for the team. Returning to Bragg Stadium for the homecoming game against Hampton, the Rattlers will have to focus on team mistakes to guarantee a victory over the inferior but potentially threatening Pirates.
After homecoming, the Rattlers hit the road to face Division I-A opponent Troy State. The Trojans, who fell 24-7 to Marshall Saturday, may threaten the Rattler defense with their running game. But unless the Troy State defensive backs are on the ball, the Rattler offense should be able to overcome the Trojan defense.
Florida Classic XXIII will be one of most exciting games of the season. Although the Rattlers lead the series 43-11-1, this season’s match-up against Bethune-Cookman (4-0 MEAC, 8-0 overall) looks threatening.
The Rattlers, who edged out a 31-21 victory over the Wildcats last season, have not lost to Bethune-Cookman since Coach Joe’s first season with the team in 1994.
Keep faith in FAMU football because “The Rattlers are back.”
-Elizabeth Broadway, 19, is a sophomore newspaper journalism student from Alpharetta, Ga. She is The Famuan’s sports editor. She can be reached at thefamuansports@hotmail.com.