ORLANDO, Fla. -- Florida A&M enters this matchup with a roster that is much better—and much deeper—than its raw record suggests. The Rattlers own strengths in quarterback efficiency, field position, penalty discipline, and special-teams force, all of which give them a blueprint to dictate tempo and exploit the opponent's inconsistencies. This preview breaks down where FAMU's matchup advantages lie on offense, defense, and special teams and why the underlying analytics point toward a strong Rattler performance.
FLORIDA A&M OFFENSE: EFFICIENT, BALANCED, AND PRIMED FOR EXPLOSIVE PLAYS
RJ Johnson III – The Quietly Elite Producer
RJ Johnson III is already the SWAC's second leading passer (2,086 yards) and ranks:
• 40th nationally in passing yards
• 23rd nationally in completion percentage (65.8%)
• 30th nationally in efficiency (149.2)
• Top 50 in yards per attempt (7.93)
These are legitimately upper-tier FCS numbers, and they matter even more because FAMU's offense is built on:
Efficiency over volume
FAMU ranks:
• 34th nationally in passing offense (234.4 ypg) despite being middle-pack in time of possession
• Top 52 in team passing efficiency
This tells us the offense creates chunk plays without needing high play volume, something that stresses defenses with poor 3rd-down metrics.
The opponent ranks:
• 104th nationally in 3rd-down defense (44.9%)
• 107th in passing yards allowed (254.2 ypg)
• 123rd in red-zone defense (94.7% scoring allowed)
This is a dream matchup for Johnson. He excels in sustained accuracy and explosive shots, and the opponent struggles to get teams off the field or force field goals.
Florida A&M Receiving Corps – Depth and Big-Play Ability
Kenari Wilcher – X-Factor Weapon
• 495 receiving yards
• 15.97 yards per catch (No. 58 nationally)
Wilcher is a mismatch creator—too fast for linebackers, too physical for small safeties. His 395+ combined kick return yards also mean he can flip field position instantly.
Goldie Lawrence – Complementary Big Receiver
• 14.79 yards per catch, also top-100 nationally in explosiveness.
The opponent gives up 13+ yards per completion, one of the worst marks in the FCS.
FAMU's receiving duo is perfectly built to exploit a defense that regularly gets caught in off-coverage and gives up explosive passing gains.
Running Game: Underrated but Efficient
While the Rattlers rank just 94th in rushing offense, their lead runner Thad Franklin Jr.:
• Averages 4.35 yards per carry
• Has 561 yards and 5 TD
The key isn't volume—it's situational running.
FAMU ranks:
• 29th nationally in 4th-down conversions (58.8%)
• Top 45 in time of possession (30:41)
The opponent's rush defense ranks:
• 99th nationally (184.5 ypg)
Franklin and Hailey should be able to churn out 4–6 yards per carry consistently, setting up play-action and keeping the Rattlers ahead of the chains.
FLORIDA A&M DEFENSE – BEND, SURVIVE, AND STRIKE
Statistically, the Rattler defense has allowed yards, but they have elite strengths in the areas that matter most for winning.
Turnover Protection
FAMU:
• #1 in the SWAC in fewest turnovers lost (6 total)
• #1 nationally in fewest fumbles lost (1)
You simply cannot beat this team unless they beat themselves—and they don't.
The opponent:
• Has lost 16 turnovers (84th nationally)
This is the single biggest structural advantage of the entire matchup.
Florida A&M Pass Defense – Elite Individual Playmakers
Ah'mare Lee – A Top SWAC Cover Corner
• 0.22 INT per game
• Multiple passes defended
• Top 5 in the SWAC in interceptions per game
The opponent's QB is much less efficient than Johnson:
• 72nd in passing yards per game
• 40th in completion percentage
• 31st in efficiency—below Johnson and far below the SWAC leader
This is a matchup where FAMU's corners can win 1-on-1 and force mistakes.
Run Defense: A Chance to Overperform Against Predictability
Yes, FAMU ranks 109th in rushing defense (192.0 ypg), but…
The opponent:
• Only 45th nationally in rushing (167.4 ypg)
• Has no 700-yard rusher and relies on committee
• Its leading rusher is just 8th in the SWAC in yards per game (45.5)
FAMU's defensive front doesn't need to dominate—they just need to prevent 2nd-and-short. And against this opponent, they absolutely can.
SPECIAL TEAMS – THE TRUE DIFFERENCE MAKER
This is where Florida A&M has a major winning edge.
Bobby Engstler – One of the Best Punters in the Nation
• 15th nationally in punt average (43.6)
• #1 in the SWAC
Field position will tilt heavily toward the Rattlers.
Daniel Porto – Elite SWAC Kicker
• Top 5 nationally in FGs per game (1.40)
• Top 40 in accuracy (77.8%)
• 60 total points
FAMU has reliable scoring from anywhere inside the 35.
Kick Return Advantage
Kenari Wilcher gives FAMU:
• Top-50 national return efficiency
The opponent gives up:
• 21.92 yards per punt return allowed (124th nationally)
This is catastrophic for their coverage unit and could give FAMU multiple short fields.
DISCIPLINE & HIDDEN YARDAGE – FAMU'S STRUCTURAL EDGE
FAMU ranks:
• Top 70 in fewest penalties and penalty yards
• Top 60 in time of possession
• Above-average in completion percentage and third-down conversions
The opponent is:
• Bottom third in penalties
• Bottom third in red-zone defense
• Bottom third in 3rd-down defense
Over four quarters, these areas create:
1. Extra possessions
2. Better field position
3. Opponent fatigue
4. Safe, efficient drives
These are the traits of a team that wins tight games late.
THE MATCHUP SUMMARY – WHY FAMU SHOULD CONTROL THIS GAME
Florida A&M Strengths
• QB advantage
• Passing-game explosiveness
• Far superior special teams
• Elite turnover protection
• More efficient red-zone offense
• Better discipline & time management
Opponent Weaknesses
• Poor 3rd-down defense
• Poor red-zone defense
• Vulnerable secondary
• Average pass rush
• Below-average passing consistency
• Massive special-teams holes
This is a matchup built for Florida A&M's strengths
The Rattlers should:
• Win the field-position battle
• Create long drives with Johnson's accuracy
• Hit multiple explosives to Wilcher and Lawrence
• Generate a +1 or +2 turnover edge
• Put constant pressure on the opposing defense by staying ahead of the chains
If the game stays on script, FAMU has the pieces to pull away late and win by multiple scores.
SCOUTING BETHUNE–COOKMAN:
Bethune–Cookman brings a dangerous, big-play offense into the matchup—one that can absolutely score in bunches if left unchecked.
The Wildcats rank 32nd nationally and 1st in the SWAC in total offense (403.7 ypg) and 1st in the league in passing offense (236.4 ypg), giving them the firepower to turn any drive into points.
Quarterback Cam'Ron Ransom is the engine. He sits 31st nationally in passing efficiency (148.5) and 40th in completion percentage (63.6%), with 1,743 passing yards and 13 TDs, plus additional production as a runner. He's supported by one of the league's most dangerous receiver tandems:
• Maleek Huggins – 808 receiving yards, 73.5 ypg (32nd nationally), 7 TDs, and over 5 catches per game; a true WR1.
• Javon Ross – 603 receiving yards, 54.8 ypg, and a top-5 SWAC mark in all-purpose yards (99.0 per game) thanks to his explosive return ability.
Special teams are where B-CU can flip momentum in a hurry. Ross is tied for the national lead with 2 kickoff return TDs, and Bethune ranks top-30 nationally in both kickoff returns (22.63 ypr) and kickoff return defense (18.22 allowed).
Net punting is also a quiet strength—37.98 yards, best in the SWAC—meaning FAMU can't afford breakdowns in the hidden-yardage game.
The flip side: Bethune–Cookman's defense has struggled all season
The Wildcats sit:
• 114th in total defense (438.6 ypg)
• 98th in scoring defense (32.5 ppg)
• 107th in passing yards allowed (254.2 ypg)
• 99th in rushing defense (184.5 ypg)
• 123rd in red-zone defense (94.7% scores allowed)
They also carry a negative turnover margin (-0.36) with 16 turnovers lost against only 12 gained, a costly flaw against a Florida A&M team that is elite at protecting the football.
In short, Bethune–Cookman is a high-variance, big-play team: explosive on offense and special teams but vulnerable on defense and loose with the ball.
If the game turns into a track meet, their playmakers can keep them alive. But if Florida A&M forces long drives, wins the turnover battle, and leans on its efficiency and field-position edge, the Wildcats' defensive issues become very hard to hide over four quarters.
