TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Rattler football travels to Tampa, Florida, to play their only FBS opponent this season, the South Florida Bulls.

"It'll be a great experience," said head coach Willie Simmons. "Jeff Scott and I have had multiple conversations since he took over at South Florida.

"It's always great to play against your friends and compete against your brothers … but make no mistake about it, this is business." 

Where can you watch or listen? 
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Rattler Sports Network, WANM 90.5 FM

Coaches in the game 
Willie Simmons 
Career Record, Conference Record: 37-19, 31-10 
FAMU Record, Conference Record: 16-8, 12-4

Jeff Scott
Career Record: 1-10
USF Record: 1-10

Series History 
The two teams met for the first time in 2005, which USF won 37-3.

FAMU and USF have played each other three times, and the Bulls lead the all-time series 3-0. 

Elite Rattlers Defense

The Rattlers come into the game with one of the best defenses in the nation (FCS), allowing only two touchdowns total through two games. The defense also ranks among the best in the following categories:

Fumbles Recovered – 1st
Turnovers Gained – 3rd
Defensive Touchdowns – 4th
Red Zone Defense – 4th
Scoring Defense – 4th
Rushing Defense – 9th
3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense – 11th
Total Defense – 14th

"We've created turnovers, we've gotten sacks, we've been an opportunistic defense … that is the formula to winning football.

"This will probably be our defense's stiffest challenge against South Florida up to this point of the season."

The defense also scored a touchdown on a Nadarius Fagan 45-yard fumble return in the 34-7 win versus Fort Valley State. The Rattlers also look to extend their 12-game forced turnover streak.

Quarterbacks

The Rattlers have seen three different quarterbacks receive game time in both games and two different quarterbacks start through two games, but head coach Willie Simmons will roll with Rasean McKay to start the game this Saturday versus the Bulls.

"Saturday he (McKay) made good decisions and threw the ball a lot better … he had a high completion percentage, didn't turn the ball over, and moved the ball. That's what he's capable of doing."

Junior Muratovic started last week before Coach Simmons made the change to McKay. Muratovic had one touchdown and two interceptions before McKay led the Rattlers on two touchdown scoring drives.

Playmakers

The Rattlers have some of the nation's best playmakers in Xavier Smith and Bishop Bonnett.

Expect Smith to make an impact whether it's through the air, on the ground, or on special teams as he ranks 65th in the nation for all-purpose yards. Smith has specifically been one of the biggest return threats as he ranks 10th in kickoff returns.

Bonnett looks to continue to be a force on the ground as he currently ranks 16th in yards per carry with 6.04. Bonnett also ranks 30th in total rushing yards and 34th in rushing yards per game.

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