The Rattlers are looking to remain undefeated at home when they take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.
FAMU (3-4, 3-1 MEAC) defeated the Savannah State Tigers last week 44-3. This week, the Rattlers switch their attention to South Carolina State (2-5, 1-3 MEAC), a team that has won at least five conference games each season dating back to 2003.
Head football coach Joe Taylor said there is more parody in the MEAC this year and that it isn’t so much South Carolina State having a down year. Taylor doesn’t want the team to take this game lightly.
“You must button your chin strap every Saturday, or someone will get you,” Taylor said.
The Rattlers have a lot to build on. FAMU won all three phases of the game last week: offense, defense and special teams and the team plans on carrying this momentum into Saturday’s matchup.
Running back Eddie Rocker, a fourth-year criminal justice student, rushed for 171 yards on 17 carries last weekend. Rocker said the offensive line was hungry and that the linemen wanted to redeem themselves for their performance the previous week against Howard University.
After running through Savannah State’s defense, Rocker is looking forward to another outstanding performance.
Last week, the defense shut down Savannah State’s offense. However, it will have it hands full with the Bulldogs. The S.C. State offense is based on a power rushing attack.
Cornerback Marvin Ross, a fifth-year sociology student, is excited for Saturday’s game. Ross said the Rattlers have to be prepared for the Bulldogs to come on strong. Last year they upset the Bulldogs in Orangeburg, S.C., 27-24.
“Be there in all black on Saturday,” Ross said. “We are going to put on a show.”
The Rattlers have two more home games and the Florida Classic in Orlando Nov. 17. The team will play conference opponents for the remainder of the season. FAMU can win the MEAC championship if the team goes undefeated the rest of the way.
The game is a “blackout” and the will also be broadcast live on ESPNU.