ORLANDO, Fla. | Florida A&M football has playoff aspirations and must take care of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in the Florida Classic to get there. The Rattlers look to extend their win streak versus the Wildcats to two after their dominating 46-21 win in 2021.
 
Where to watch or listen: 
 
Watch: ESPN3
Listen: Rattler Sports Network
 
Coaches in the game
Willie Simmons (Clemson, 2002 | The Citadel, 2003) 
Career Record: 53-23 (8th season, 2020 canceled due to COVID-19)
Record at FAMU: 32-12 (5th Season 2020 canceled due to COVID-19
 
Terry Sims (Knoxville, 1994) 
Career Record: 38-38 (8th season) 
Record at BCU: 38-38 (8th season) 
 
SERIES BREAKDOWN 
Overall: FAMU lead 50-24-1
First Meeting: FAMU won 23-0 (1925)
Last Meeting: FAMU won 46-21 (2021)
Streak: FAMU, 1
 
DARK CLOUDS DEFENSE
Florida A&M's Dark Cloud Defense is ranked in the top 35 in nine categories: 35th - Rushing Defense (129.4), 28th - 3rd Down Defense (.356), 24th - Tackles for Loss (7.0), 21st - Passing Yards Allowed (191.8), 17th - Sacks (2.7), 17th - 4th down defense (.333), 17th - Red Zone Defense (.731), 17th - Pass Efficiency Defense (116.69), 15th - Total Defense (321.2)
 
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 third in the nation (first in SWAC) in receptions per game (8.2), 5th in the nation in receiving yards (first in SWAC) with 951 yards, and 6th in the nation in receiving touchdowns (first in SWAC) with ten. Smith has also caught a touchdown in six of the nine games and at least one in every game in Bragg.
 
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 2,538 passing yards and 19th in passing touchdowns with 19 and ranks second in the SWAC in both categories.
 
RATTLERS ENTER TOP-25 
The Rattlers crack the top-25 coming in at number 24 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. This is the third season in a row the Rattlers have been ranked in the top-25.
 
RATTLERS WINNING STREAK 
The Rattlers extend their win streak to eight after the 21-14 win at Alabama State, tied for 6th longest in nation.
 
SACK MASTERS
The Rattlers possess some of the best pass rushers in the nation, as they have two players with seven+ sacks in Isaiah Land and Kamari Stephens.
 
ACTIVE NCAA FCS CAREER LEADERS
10, Jah'Marae Sheread
Punt Return Average: 2nd - 14.8
Punt Return Yards: 4th - 460
 
11, BJ Bohler
Interceptions: 19th - 8
Interception Return Yards: 12th - 163
Passes Defended: 11th - 30
 
19, Xavier Smith
Receptions: 2nd - 275
Receptions Per Game: 1st - 6.4
Receiving Yards: 2nd - 3,550
Receiving Yards Per Game: 3rd - 82.6
Receiving Touchdowns: 6th - 28
All-Purpose Yards: 8th - 4,356
Total TDs Scored: 19th - 29
 
31, Isaiah Land
Tackles for Loss: 5th - 42
Tackles for Loss Per Game: 3rd - 1.35
Sacks: 4th - 28.5
Sacks Per Game: 2nd - .92
 
42, Jose Romo-Martinez
Field Goals Made: 3rd - 56
Points: 7th - 280
 
43, Chris Faddoul
Punt Average: 4th - 43.8
 
SWAC PLAYER OF THE WEEKS
WEEK 4
Isaiah Major - Defensive
 
WEEK 5
Jeremy Moussa - Newcomer
 
WEEK 6
Isaiah Major - Defensive
 
Week 9
A.J. Davis - Newcomer
 
Week 11
Xavier Smith - Offensive
Kendall Bohler - Specialist
 
Scouting the Wildcats
• Wildcats have one of the top returners in the nation, as Darnell Deas is sixth in the nation in combined returns with 688 yards.
• Darnell Deas is second in the nation in kickoff return touchdowns with two.
• Jalon Jones is the Wildcats' main offensive threat, as he's 28th in the nation and second in the SWAC in total offense, averaging 261 yards per game.
 
The Rattlers play Saturday, November 19, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
 
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