Florida A&M heads to Boca Raton on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with one goal: take down FBS opponent Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ at Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium.

1. Dominate on Defense – Disrupt and Capitalize
FAMU's defense is elite—ranked 14th nationally in total defense—with standout playmakers like DL Jahon Myers, LBs such as Nay'Ron Jenkins, and a sizeable secondary anchored by cornerback TJ Huggins. They must bring the same disruption they've shown all season—forcing mistakes, getting after FAU's quarterbacks, and taking advantage of miscues.

2. Establish the Ground Game & Control the Clock
FAMU's offensive line is one of the most experienced in the SWAC, loaded with preseason all-conference talent such as Charles Davis and Ashton Grable. Upfront dominance is key: if the Rattlers can run effectively behind backs Thad Franklin Jr. and Levontai Summersett, they'll control time of possession, wear down FAU's defense, and dictate tempo.

3. Win the Turnover and Ball-Control Battle
Protecting the football and limiting mistakes is critical in a matchup like this. On the flip side, FAMU's opportunistic secondary and aggressive front seven must continue to create takeaways. Each possession swing will be magnified against an FBS opponent.

4. Dominate Special Teams – Hidden Yardage Wins Games
Special teams might be the game-changer here. FAMU ranks highly in kickoff and punt returns—Bobby Engstler pinned opponents deep and averaged 46.7 yards per punt return in the opener. Meanwhile, FAU ranks in the bottom half nationally in both punt returns and net punting—creating a clear opportunity for the Rattlers to capitalize on field position.

5. Lean Into the Identity and Embrace the Underdog Role
The Rattlers are the underdog and use that mentality to compete against an FBS foe.