Protecting home field has been the one thing that has been most consistent for the Florida A&M football team.
They pulled out an exciting 28-22 victory over Ft. Valley State and exploded for a 34-7 win over the Deleware State Hornets.
Tomorrow, amidst the distractions of the homecoming festivities, the team’s primary focus will be to keep things as routine as possible.
Linebacker Demarius “D.J.” Folsom, who had 6 tackles (3 solo, 1.5 TFL) and an interception in the previous contest, said that maintaining the normal regimen won’t be as difficult as some would think. Especially for the seniors.
“Basically all we have to do is focus and stay discipline,” Folosom said. “Every week the goal is to focus and execute and if we do that then everything else should and will handle itself.”
Folsom also said that the emotions of this being his last homecoming as a member of the team will lead to an even greater effort from an individual standpoint.
“My emotions are going to run really high,” Folsom said. “I’m going to be high-wired, but overall I’m just going to have fun with it.”
Senior wide receiver Kevin Elliott, who was named to the 2012 BSN collegiate showcase watchlist, said that the growth of the team should aid in the team’s performance.
“Last week we executed way better than we did the week before,” Elliott said. “We were still beating ourselves last game. We left about 21 points out there on the field last week. So we are just trying to show improvement from game to game and we are looking forward to doing that this game as well.”
The Rattlers will be led by freshman quarterback Damien Fleming. In three games, Fleming is 22-of-43 for 357 yards with one touchdown.
Elliott also said that the trust between him and quarterback Damien Fleming on the field is beginning to take shape.
“The focus is always on you doing your job first. And his job as the quarterback is to get the ball out and to the open man, and he definitely has the ability to do that,” Elliott said. “He really reminds me of Curtis Pulley. He has a very strong arm and we have a lot of confidence in him. I can’t wait to work with him for the rest of the season.”
Howard will come with a familiar face. Gary Harrell, head coach of the Bison, is a former wide receivers coach for FAMU. He worked under coach Ruben Carter from 2006 to 2007.
The team is set for the 3 p.m. start of the contest.