With two minutes left to play, Florida A&M leads by 15 points. And then Howard scores. In one minute and 27 seconds, Howard secures a 29-28 win at Bragg Stadium after being down 21 points in the fourth and capping one of FAMU’s biggest homecoming collapses ever.
Bragg Memorial Stadium is the place to be at 4:36 p.m. The Rattlers have a commanding 21-0 lead over the ninth-ranked team in the conference. Victory is assured in the minds of the 23,400 fans in attendance.
Halftime starts and the stands are rocking to the sounds of the incomparable Marching 100. It’s an event of unparalleled jubilation for the Tallahassee community, especially when your team is feasting on a hated MEAC opponent.
The third quarter was uneventful as both defenses held the opposing team scoreless for the entire period.
The fourth quarter can only be explained in play-by-play, since there are no words that are descriptive enough to paint a picture
13:23 left to play- Howard gets its first score of the game on a 3-yard run by Aquanis Freeman (FAMU 21 Howard 7). 10:32 left to play- Greg McGhee catches a 54-yard touchdown pass from Willie Carter. Parker Munoz misses the extra point (FAMU 21 Howard 13). 08:23 left to play-FAMU’s Lavante Page 2-yard touchdown run (FAMU 28 Howard 13).
This next sequence of events can be explained. At this point in the game, half the stadium is empty because everyone figured the contest was over and the band is finished.
01:27 left to play- Brandon Drayton scores on a 10-yard pass from McGhee. The Bison changed kickers because of the two misses by Munoz. Matthew Jacobs comes in and misses his extra point attempt. (FAMU 28 Howard 19)
On the ensuing kickoff, Howard attempts an onside kick. FAMU gets an offsides penalty and Howard gets another shot at the kick. This time, they recover the ball after FAMU touched it. Bison ball on the FAMU 45.
A five-play drive is capped by a one-yard Andra Williams touchdown run (FAMU 28 Howard 26). The kick is good by Jacobs. Now only 26 seconds remain.
The FAMU returner signaled a fair catch on the next kickoff, stopping the clock.
After a loss of two on a run, the Rattlers face 2nd and 12. Fumble. Howard’s ball on the FAMU 15.
With four seconds left, Parker Munoz gets his chance at redemption and delivers with a 21-yard field goal to seal the game for the Bison.
Game over. FAMU homecoming ruined.