ORLANDO, Fla. | The Rattlers travel to Orlando for the biggest game of the year - The Florida Classic. Florida A&M enters the game on a seven-game win streak and a top-25 ranking looking to end the Wildcats Florida Classic streak.
"We're looking forward to the Classic," said head coach Willie Simmons. "There's a ton at stake to keep our winning streak going and keep our playoff aspirations alive.
"We'll have to be focused, locked in, control our emotions, play fundamental football, and continue to do the things that have gotten us to this point to win the game."
Where to watch or listen:
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Rattler Sports Network, WANM 90.5 FM
Coaches in the game
Willie Simmons
Career Record, Conference Record: 44-20, 37-10
FAMU Record, Conference Record: 23-9, 18-4
Terry Sims
Career Record: 36-29
BCU Record: 36-29
Series History
The two teams met for the first time in 1925, which FAMU won 23-0.
FAMU and BCU have played each other 74 times, and the Rattlers lead the all-time series 49-24-1. BCU won the last meeting 31-27 (2019).
Elite Rattlers Defense
The Rattlers come into the game with the best defense in the nation (FCS), allowing only 135 points through ten games and 100 points in eight FCS games. The defense also ranks top 20 in the following categories:
• red zone defense (18)
• turnovers gained (14)
• fumbles recovered (11)
• rushing defense (9)
• scoring defense (8)
• team tackles for loss (7)
• 3rd down defense (7)
• 4th down defense (7)
• team sacks (6)
• 1st down defense (4)
• passing yards allowed (4)
• team passing efficiency defense (4)
• total defense (1)
Also, the Rattlers' defense has held their opponents to seven points or less in six of their ten games this season.
Sack Master
The Rattlers have the nation's leading sacker in Isaiah Land with 17 sacks. Land set a Rattlers single-game record recording five sacks versus South Carolina State, the second-most in a single FCS game this season.
Land is also first in the nation in tackles for loss with averaging 2.4 per game.
Ground Attack
The Rattlers have been at their best offensively when running the ball, and they look to continue their rushing success tomorrow versus BCU.
Bishop Bonnett leads the team and is second in the SWAC with 827 yards, which is also good for the 26th most in the nation. Bonnett is also 12th in the nation averaging 6.46 yards per carry. Bonnett and Terrell Jennings both have four rushing touchdowns each.
Jah'Marae Sheread Number One Punt Returner
Jah'Marae Sheread had a game for the ages a couple of weeks ago in Itta Bena, going for a combined 229 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. Sheread picked up 154 yards in the punt return game, including a 59-yard punt return touchdown. Sheread's 154 yards are the most in a single game this season.
Sheread currently ranks number one in the nation in yards per punt return averaging 21 yards per return. Sheread also ranks 11th in the nation, with nine receiving touchdowns. Sheread has caught a touchdown in five consecutive games.
Active Career Leaders
Wide receiver Xavier Smith is among the NCAA's best. Smith is ranked 4th in receptions per game for his career with 5.74.
Smith also ranks 7th in receiving yards per game with 78.4, 11th in receptions with 178, 11th in receiving yards with 2,430, 33rd in all-purpose yards per game with 94.35, and 36th in receiving touchdowns with 16.
Markquese Bell ranks 14th in solo tackles per game with 4.24 and 15th in forced fumbles per game with .19.
Isaiah Land ranks 1st in sacks per game with .95, 1st in solo tackles for loss per game with 1.25, 2nd in total tackles for loss per game with 1.43, 12th in solo sacks with 18, and 14th in total sacks with 19.
Rasean McKay ranks 30th in passing efficiency with a rating of 137.65.
Jose Romo-Martinez ranks 11th in field goals with 37 and 11th in field goal attempts with 53.
Jah'Marae Sheread ranks 12th in punt return yards per game, averaging 11 and 13th in punt return yards with 357.
Scouting the Wildcats
• The Wildcats offensive strength is the air attack as they rank 42nd in the nation
• Defensively, the Wildcats have struggled all season as they rank 112th allowing 449.8 yards per game.
• Their biggest offensive threat is their tight end, Kemari Averett, as he has 812 yards and eight touchdowns off 45 receptions.
• On the defensive side, linebacker Untareo Johnson is a tackling machine as he's ranked 39th in the nation and first in the SWAC, averaging 8.9 tackles per game.
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