TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M used an explosive 260-yard output on the ground, including 157 yards from Jamal Hailey, and four rushing touchdowns to pick up a 43-35 win against Southern Saturday afternoon on the road at AW Mumford Stadium.

The Rattlers improved to 3-4 on the year and 2-1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while the Jaguars fell to 1-7 and 0-4.

RJ Johnson III led Florida A&M's passing attack with 287 yards through the air, tossing one touchdown without throwing an interception. The signal caller also added 21 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Hailey totaled 157 yards to lead the Rattlers' ground attack and added three touchdowns in the game, picking up 8.3 yards per carry along the way. Thad Franklin Jr. also tacked on 54 yards on the ground, picking up 5.4 yards per carry.

Johnson III's most prolific target in the ballgame was Goldie Lawrence, who caught four passes for 95 yards and one score. Kenari Wilcher got in on the action in the passing game as well, hauling in six balls for 58 yards.

Offensively, Florida A&M had an outstanding day, logging 547 total yards, 260 on the ground and 287 through the air, while averaging 7.6 yards per play and outgaining Southern. Florida A&M converted 57.1 percent of third-down attempts on the day.

Defensively, Florida A&M held up fairly well against the Southern passing attack, holding the Jaguars to 197 yards through the air.

Florida A&M and Florida A&M had already traded leads earlier in the ballgame when the Rattlers put points on the scoreboard with :57 left in the second quarter to retake a 19-14 advantage. carried it for a 26-yard touchdown run to cap an eight-play, 74-yard drive.

The Jaguars then rallied to take over the lead once again before Florida A&M responded with a field goal with 2:00 remaining in the third quarter to go up 22-21. converted a 20-yard strike to finish an 11-play, 72-yard drive.

After Southern rallied to take the lead, Florida A&M got back on top with a touchdown to take control for good at 29-28 with 9:08 left in the fourth quarter. Hailey carried it for a 39-yard touchdown run to end an eight-play, 74-yard scoring drive. The Rattlers then rode that lead to victory, increasing their advantage by seven points along the way.

» Florida A&M outgained Southern 547-414, including a 287-197 advantage through the air.

» Florida A&M had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth period, when they put up 21 points.

» Florida A&M converted 8 of 14 third downs while Southern was successful on 9 of 15.

» Jason Riles Jr. led the Rattlers with 12 tackles.

» Daniel Porto knocked through three field goals for the Rattlers with a long of 48 yards.

» Bobby Engstler punted two times for the Rattlers with an average of 51.5 yards per punt while pinning the Jaguars inside their own 20 one time.

» Florida A&M scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

» Florida A&M won the time of possession battle 31:13 to 28:47.

» Rj Johnson III completed 68.8% of his passes on the day, going 22-for-32 while averaging nine yards per attempt.

» led the Jaguars passing attack, completing 12 of his 28 attempts for 197 yards.

» Trey Holly led the Southern rushing attack with 145 yards and two touchdowns.