Wins have been difficult for Florida A&M Rattlers football team this season and that could continue to be the case. The Rattlers will face Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Savannah State, in a matchup of winless teams.
Early mistakes and miscues on offense and defense have hurt the Rattlers chances in games this year, and they look to correct those issues.
As the Rattlers continue their uneven play head coach Earl Holmes feels that the team can win this weekend against the Tigers.
“I think this is the game that we finally breakout and play collectively as a group,” Holmes said. “I see the potential, I see players stepping up and continue to look at the positive and once we get that first win we’re going for that snowball effect.”
Starting nine freshman has had its difficulties, but senior quarterback Damien Fleming expressed the improvement within the team and sees progress.
“The younger guys come in and bring the mindset and the will to the game…I feel comfortable with those guys in the game,” Fleming said. “We just have to work on little thing like communication.”
One positive for the Rattlers this year has been redshirt senior kicker Chase Varnadore. He was named MEAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Morgan State, which included a school record 53-yard field goal.
The Rattlers also have a solid rushing attack with freshman running back Gerald Hearns, who has two 100 yard rushing performances on the year. He is the feature back for the Rattler and explains his role in the offense for Saturday’s game.
“Here I’m getting the ball more and I have adjusted to the running back mentality, Hearns said. “I’m more patient in the backfield and I’m able to identify different defenses and picking up blitzes.”
FAMU has won the last six meetings dating back to 2004. The Rattlers have a chance to not only to win their game of the season, but earn their first win at Bragg Memorial Stadium since 2012.
Kick-off is set for 5 p.m.