FAMU runningback Devin Bowers stiff-arms a defender during his season high, 115 yards rushing performance. Photo courtesy of FAMU Sports Information
The Florida A&M Rattlers opened up Conference football play against rival Savannah State, Saturday night. The Rattlers managed to squeak by 20-14, to improve to 2-2 on the season.
The Rattlers found themselves in familiar territory with less than two minutes to go as SSU lined up on the 6 yard line only down six. Last year the Rattlers stunned the Tigers when they stopped them on the goal line with just seconds to go. As was the case last year, the Rattler defense held stout, and were able to keep the Tigers from ever encroaching the goal line.
On offense Rattler quarterback Ryan Stanley returned from a toe injury that kept him out against Tennessee State. The Redshirt Sophomore connected with wide-receiver Chad Hunter for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Stanley threw for a total of 214 yards, and also completed 68 percent of his passes.
Junior running-back Devin Bowers led the Rattlers in rushing, going for 115 yards on 21 carries. Though it was Senior running-back Tevin Spells who rushed in the go ahead touchdown for the Rattlers with just six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Rattler head coach Alex Wood stressed the importance of improving on offense earlier in the week during his press conference. Wood said " We need to score points. That's what you do on offense. And we've got to get that addressed obviously." Wood also added that he would have liked to have scored 28 points in the Tennessee State game, which FAMU also did not accomplish tonight. Though, with every win FAMU chalks up the culture is shifting in Tallahassee. FAMU broke a 15 game losing streak in September with their win Saturday night.
SSU was just the first of eight straight Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference opponents. In addition for the second time this season the Rattlers will take on an opponent with just 5 days preparation. Previously the Rattlers played Arkansas on ESPN after an 11 hour bus ride from Tallahassee. FAMU will host MEAC opponent North Carolina Central on ESPN, Thursday at 7:30 pm.