Date/Time: Saturday, November 29 – 3 p.m. EST
Location: Itta Bena, Miss. 
Broadcast: SWAC TV | 96.1 JAMZ

ITTA BANA, Miss. -- Florida A&M enters this matchup with a statistical profile that—while imperfect—reveals a team with clear paths to success, defined strengths at premium positions, and personnel capable of dictating the game if leveraged properly. Against an opponent ranked near the bottom of the FCS in almost every offensive category and
struggling to protect the football, this is a matchup that tilts toward the Rattlers in multiple phases.

FAMU Offense VS. MVSU Defense

RJ Johnson III Gives FAMU a Clear Quarterback Advantage
Few edges in this game are more significant than the quarterback position.

• RJ Johnson III leads the conference in passing yards (2,314) and passing yards per game (210.4).
• He ranks 27th nationally in completion percentage (65.7%), far ahead of the opposing quarterbacks who sit in the bottom third of the nation.
• Johnson is also No. 3 in the SWAC in points responsible for (120), showing his consistent ability to turn efficiency into scoring.

This is a major mismatch. The opponent's pass defense is 79th nationally, 9th in the conference, and allows 232.9 yards per game—against far less effective passers than Johnson.

Add in FAMU's Top-5 conference passing efficiency (148.2) and this is a prime opportunity for the Rattlers to control the game through the air.

FAMU's Supporting Cast Creates Big-Play Potential

Although the Rattlers lack a single dominant receiver statistically, they compensate with balance and explosiveness:

• Kenari Wilcher averages 14.35 yards per catch, top-20 in the SWAC.
• Multiple backs—Thad Franklin Jr. (4.85 YPC) and Jamal Hailey—give the run game a sturdy one-two punch.

And the MVSU Defense?

• Rushing defense: 173.3 yards allowed/game (85th nationally).
• Total defense: 406 yards/game (94th nationally).

FAMU gets a favorable matchup whether they choose to run or pass.

FAMU Defense vs. MVSU Offense

A Struggling Opponent Offense Meets a Rattler Defense with Playmakers

The MVSU offense ranks:

• 120th in total offense (269.5 YPG)
• 111th in scoring offense (16.8 PPG)
• 117th in rushing offense
• 97th in passing offense

This is one of the least productive FCS offenses—and they now face a FAMU defense that specializes in limiting big plays and generating pressure at crucial moments.

FAMU defenders to watch:

• Ah'Mare Lee: Top-25 nationally in passes defended (1.0/game)
• Multiple players with fumble recoveries
• A defense that ranks 3rd in the SWAC in red-zone performance (0.796)

This last metric is especially important: while FAMU may give up yards, they stiffen when the field shortens—exactly the formula needed against a low-efficiency offense.

Turnovers Could Define the Game—and Advantage FAMU

Here's a massive swing factor:

Opponent turnovers lost: 20 (Rank: 101 nationally)

FAMU turnovers lost: Just 7 (4th nationally)

This is not merely a statistical note—it's a potential game-breaker. FAMU protects the football; the opponent does not. If the Rattlers win the turnover margin, this could turn into a multi-score separation.

FAMU Holds Special Teams Advantage

FAMU Has One of the Nation's Most Reliable Kickers

Daniel Porto is a major asset:

• 1st in the SWAC and 6th nationally with 1.45 FG per game
• 80% accuracy

Special teams points matter—and FAMU has one of the best kickers on the field.

Elite Punting Gives FAMU Field Position Control

Bobby Engstler may be FAMU's hidden weapon:

• 1st in the SWAC
• 17th nationally at 43.6 yards per punt

In a game where the opponent struggles to sustain drives, pinning them deep repeatedly will create short fields for FAMU's offense.

The opponent, by contrast, ranks 123rd in net punting and 119th in kickoff return defense, meaning FAMU can consistently win the hidden-yardage battle.

Key Match-Up Areas that Favor FAMU

1. Passing Game Efficiency
FAMU: Top-5 in SWAC, Top-30 nationally
Opponent: Bottom of conference
Clear Rattler edge.

2. Turnover Margin
FAMU: +0.00 (middle of pack but protects the ball well)
Opponent: -0.64, one of worst in FCS
Expect FAMU to generate extra possessions.

3. Red-Zone Performance
FAMU offense: 0.875 (26th nationally)
Opponent defense: 0.796 (44th) but often collapses due to field-position deficits
Another strong advantage.

4. Special Teams
FAMU's combined kicking, punting, and return ability is significantly stronger in both explosiveness and consistency.

Mississippi Valley State Football: Brief Team Preview

Mississippi Valley State enters the matchup as a program still searching for consistency, with statistical rankings that reflect season-long struggles on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Delta Devils rank near the bottom of the FCS in nearly every major category, including total offense (120th), scoring offense (111th), rushing offense (117th), and third-down conversions (12th in the SWAC). Quarterback Josh Brown has shown flashes—ranking 7th in the SWAC in passing yards per game (132.5)—but Valley's offense often stalls due to protection issues and a lack of explosive playmaking.

Defensively, Valley has produced occasional bright spots, including being third in the conference in red-zone defense (79.6%) and second in the SWAC in tackles for loss (5.8 per game). However, they still give up 39.4 points per game (120th nationally) and struggle in coverage, allowing 232.9 passing yards per game with one of the least efficient pass defenses in the league.

Special teams remain a mixed bag. While kicker Marko Jovisic has been a reliable weapon at 82.4%, the Delta Devils rank last in the conference in both kickoff returns (14.2 yards) and net punting (30.7 yards), often leaving them with poor field position.

Overall, Mississippi Valley State is a high-effort team with a few defensive playmakers and a solid kicker, but their challenges in sustaining drives, preventing big plays, and winning field-position battles have made winning difficult throughout the season.