Courtesy of FAMU Athletics
ATLANTA, Ga. —— Florida A&M (FAMU) rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to beat Norfolk State 24-23 on the road on Saturday night in the 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, the opening game of the 2024 HBCU football season.
The win improved Florida A&M’s record to 1-0 on the season while the Spartans fell to 0-1.
Daniel Richardson led the FAMU passing attack with 286 yards through the air, tossing three touchdowns without throwing an interception as he was named the game’s most valuable player. Earning himself an HBCU player of the week from BOXTOROW.
Kelvin Dean totaled 49 yards to lead the Rattlers’ ground attack in the game, picking up 4.5 yards per carry along the way. Thad Franklin Jr. also tacked on 38 yards on the ground, picking up 4.8 yards per carry, as well as 39 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Jamari Gassett reeled in eight catches for 110 yards and two scores.
Nay’Ron Jenkins showed out for the Florida A&M defense, totaling six tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack.
The Florida A&M offense did a good job extending drives, converting on 50 percent of third-down attempts.
Defensively, FAMU held up fairly well against the Norfolk State passing attack, holding the Spartans to 142 yards through the air.
How It Happened
After Norfolk State jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Florida A&M responded with :55 remaining in the first quarter to narrow the margin to 14-7 after Richardson connected with Franklin Jr. on a 20-yard touchdown. The Rattlers then scored again, narrowing their deficit to 14-10.
FAMU followed with a 55-yard touchdown reception from Gassett at the 12:37 mark in the third quarter and took a 17-14 lead in the process. Norfolk State came back to tie the game at 17-17, but the 2023 HBCU National Champions answered back with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Gassett to retake the lead at 24-17. Florida A&M’s defense stepped up stopping the Spartans on a 2-point conversion after giving up a touchdown to hold on to a 24-23 lead.
Game Notes
» Florida A&M outgained Norfolk State 403-369, including a 286-142 advantage through the air.
» FAMU had their highest scoring quarter in the third period, when they put up 14 points.
» Florida A&M converted 4 of 8 third downs while Norfolk State was successful on 6 of 11.
» The Rattlers had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Andre Powell Jr., who had eight.
» FAMU didn’t allow a sack in the contest.
» Daniel Richardson completed 73.3% of his passes on the day, going 22-for-30 while averaging 9.5 yards per attempt.
» Jalen Daniels led the Spartans passing attack, completing seven of his nine attempts for 142 yards.
» Kevon King led the Norfolk State rushing attack with 146 yards and two touchdowns.