Sports | October 26th, 2023
FAMU Hosts Prairie View for Homecoming
By: Michael McCarty
With a 31-21 win last week against Texas Southern University, Florida A&M is just days away from its annual homecoming game against Prairie View A&M.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Saturday at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
This match-up before a sold-out crowd could be a preview of the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game. Prairie View is one of the teams in the SWAC West fighting for a playoff berth.
On the other hand, the Rattlers, 5-0 in the conference, sit on top of the SWAC East, FAMU is 6-1 overall.
Despite it being homecoming, the Rattlers are in control of their own destiny when it comes to playing for a championship, even if that means eliminating all distractions.
According to tallahassee.com, FAMU Head coach Willie Simmons preaches to the team that staying focused on the task matters most for them.
“We do not get to live our lives like everyone else does. There is a full-time commitment to this football thing,” Simmons said. “ While everyone gets to enjoy [homecoming] all week, we enjoy Saturday ― the football game. After the game, that is our one night to blow it out if we see fit.”
FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa is ready to lead his team to victory Saturday. During last weekend’s win, Moussa completed 17 of 32 passes for 180 yards with just one interception.
Moussa threw a pass to Jamari Gassett for a 58-yard touchdown just before halftime against Texas Southern. He is completing just 57 percent of his passes and leading the SWAC in passing yards.
Moussa said that even though this is his second homecoming with the Rattlers, his mindset remains the same as if it was just another game.
“I am locked in and ready to play this game,” Moussa said. “All the guys have the same mindset because it is no different for us. There will be a lot of energy on campus and a couple more people on Perry Street and Wahnish Way.”
Photo Courtesy: FAMU Athletics Instagram Page
On the other hand, FAMU’s “Dark Cloud Defense” is among the best in the nation, led by sophomore defensive lineman Anthony Dunn, Jr. and senior linebacker Isaiah Major.
FAMU’s defense looks to hold off Prairie View A&M’s offense.
Defensive back Kendall Bohler knows what is at stake Saturday, so his only focus is to be in sync with his teammates.
“There are a lot of distractions from Sunday to Sunday. We have to focus on the main goal, winning the homecoming game, because we might see [PVAMU] again soon. So, we got to play our best game,” Bohler said.
PVAMU, Southern and Alcorn State are in a three-way tie for first place in the SWAC West.
The Rattlers are on a five-game winning streak and look to keep going this weekend.
If FAMU can come up with a win, they may be in the driver’s seat as far as playing in the SWAC championship game on Dec. 2.
