TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Rattler football returns to Bragg Memorial Stadium looking for their first win in the SWAC versus Alabama State, Saturday at 6 p.m.
"We're excited to get back into conference play," said head coach Willie Simmons. "It's been a few weeks, and we're excited about this opportunity to compete for a SWAC championship."
Where can you watch or listen?
Watch: FAMU Athletics Facebook
Listen: Rattler Sports Network, WANM 90.5 FM
Coaches in the game
Willie Simmons
Career Record, Conference Record: 37-20, 31-10
FAMU Record, Conference Record: 16-9, 12-4
Donald Hill-Eley
Career Record: 69-93
ASU Record: 18-17
Series History
The two teams met for the first time in 1909, which ASU won 65-0.
FAMU and ASU have played each other 39 times, and the Hornets lead the all-time series 20-17-2. The Rattlers won the last meeting 30-20 (2008).
Elite Rattlers Defense
The Rattlers come into the game with one of the best defenses in the nation (FCS), allowing only 52 points through three games. The defense also ranks top 30 in the following categories:
• Rushing Defense (30)
• Total Defense (26)
• Team Passing Efficiency Defense (20)
• 1st down defense (18)
• Turnovers Gained (18)
• Scoring Defense (17)
• 3rd Down Defense (13)
• Defensive TDs (13)
• Red Zone Defense (11)
• 4th Down Defense (9)
• Fumbles Recovered (2).
The Rattlers also look to extend their 13-game forced turnover streak.
Quarterbacks
The Rattlers have seen three different quarterbacks receive game time in both games and two different quarterbacks start through three games, but head coach Willie Simmons will roll with Rasean McKay to start the game this Saturday versus the Hornets.
McKay will make his second straight and third start of the season following the game versus the Bulls, in which he went 25-49 for 248 yards and threw one touchdown.
Playmakers
The Rattlers has one of the nation's best playmakers in Xavier Smith as Smith ranks top 40 in the following career leader categories:
• 1st in receptions per game for his career with 6.2
• 3rd in receiving yards per game with 84.6
• 10th in receptions with 155
• 11th in receiving yards with 2,114
• 20th in all-purpose yards per game with 101.4
• 21st in receiving touchdowns with 16
• 25th in yards per catch with 13.6
• 39th in all-purpose yards with 2,535
Smith also ranks top 35 in the nation this season in the following categories:
• 3rd in receptions per game (8.7)
• 20th in yards per kickoff return (25.8)
• 35th in all-purpose yards per game (115).
Bishop Bonnett looks to get back on track after a down game versus the Bulls as he was averaging 6.04 yards per carry before the Bulls.
Terrell Jennings and Jaylen McCloud also look to continue to put up big numbers on the ground after both of them had strong performances versus the Bulls. Jennings ran for 93 yards and a touchdown on six carries. McCloud ran for 61 yards on ten carries.
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