ORANGEBURG, S.C. | The Rattlers are back on the road looking for their first win away from Bragg in 2022 and face a familiar opponent in the South Carolina State Bulldogs, as this will be the 60th meeting between the two.
 
"We have a really stiff test and challenge this week going up to Orangeburg to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs, who are the defending MEAC and Celebration Bowl Champion," said Head Coach Willie Simmons. "We know all about this team being MEAC rivals for years, and Buddy Pugh is one of the best coaches out there, and he's going to have his team ready to play. And this is their first home game, so it should be a great crowd with a lot of excitement, and we're ready for the challenge."
 
Where to watch or listen: 
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Rattler Sports Network
 
Coaches in the game
Willie Simmons
Career Record: 48-23 (8th season, 2020 canceled due to COVID-19)
Record at FAMU: 27-12 (5th Season 2020 canceled due to COVID-19
 
Buddy Pugh
Career Record: 144-82 (21st season)
Record at SCSU: 144-82 (21st season)
 
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall: FAMU Leads, 31-26-2
First Meeting: SCSU won 21-7 (1930)
Last Meeting: FAMU won 30-7 (2021)
Streak: FAMU, 2
 
RATTLERS LOOK FOR FIRST WIN AWAY FROM BRAGG
Florida A&M is one of the most dominant teams at home with a 3-0 record and a 13-game win streak, but they are looking to pick up their first win on the road as they have lost their last three games away from Bragg, including the 2021 FCS Playoffs game.
 
JEREMY MOUSSA AMONG BEST IN THE NATION AND SWAC
Transfer quarterback Jeremy Moussa is among the best quarterbacks in the nation, ranking 18th in passing yards with 1,248 passing yards and 29th in passing touchdowns with 8. Moussa ranks second in the SWAC in both categories.
 
XAVIER SMITH AMONG BEST IN THE NATION AND SWAC
Xavier Smith continues to be one of the most elite offensive players in the nation as he is ranked second in the nation (first in SWAC) in receptions per game (8.6), 3rd in the nation in receiving touchdowns (first in SWAC) with six, 13th in the nation in receiving yards (first in SWAC) with 449, and 20th in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (second in SWAC) with 124. yards per game.
 
RATTLERS LOOK TO EXTEND WIN STREAK VERSUS BULLDOGS
The Rattlers and the Bulldogs are no strangers, as this will be the 60th meeting between the two. The Rattlers look to win and extend their current win streak versus the Bulldogs to three after a dominant 30-7 win in Bragg last season and a 42-38 shootout in Orangeburg in 2019. 
 
TOP PUNTER
The Rattlers possess one of the top punters in the nation in Chris Faddoul, as Faddoul has the 15th-best average in the nation this season, averaging 43.4 yards per punt.
 
ACCURATE KICKING
Jose Romo-Martinez ranks first in the SWAC in field goal percentage at 88.9%.
 
Romo-Martinez also ranks 8th in the nation and first in the SWAC in field goals per game with 1.6.
 
RATTLERS PASSING GAME THRIVING
The Rattlers have had one of the best passing attacks in the nation, as they're ranked 23rd in the nation in passing offense (260.2 yards per game) and second in the SWAC.
 
ACTIVE NCAA FCS CAREER LEADERS
10, Jah'Marae Sheread
Punt Return Yards: 3rd - 397
Kick Return Yards: 20th - 1,017
Combined Kick Returns: 11th - 1,414
 
11, BJ Bohler
Interceptions: 20th - 7
Interception Return Yards: 10th - 163
Passes Defended: 16th - 26
 
19, Xavier Smith
Receptions: 2nd - 236
Receptions Per Game: 1st - 6.21
Receiving Yards: 3rd - 3,045
Receiving Yards Per Game: 4th - 80.2
Receiving Touchdowns: 7th - 24
All-Purpose Yards: 8th - 3,818
All-Purpose Yards Per Game: 16th - 100.47
 
31, Isaiah Land
Tackles for Loss: 6th - 35.5
Tackles for Loss Per Game: 5th - 1.37
Sacks: 6th - 24
Sacks Per Game: 2nd - .94
 
42, Jose Romo-Martinez
Field Goals Made: 4th - 47
Points: 11th - 243
Points Per Game: 27th - 5.5
Punt Average: 19th - 40.1
 
43, Chris Faddoul
Punt Average: 2nd - 44.3
 
Scouting the Bulldogs
• The Bulldogs have been one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to forcing turnovers, as they're ranked 24th in turnovers gained (9), 20th in turnover margin (.75), and 15th in passes intercepted (6).
• The Bulldogs have made an impact on special teams as they're ranked 9th in the nation in kicks blocked (2) and 11th in punts blocked (1).
• BJ Davis has been the Bulldogs' best defensive player, as he leads the team in tackles with 40. Davis is ranked nationally in many categories, including total tackles per game (14th, 10 TPG), solo tackles per game (8th, 6.2 STPG), and interceptions per game (17th, 0.5 IPG).
 
The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 8, at 2 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+ and the Rattler Sports Network.
 
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