JACKSON, Miss. -- Florida A&M (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) carries momentum from its first conference win into one of the SWAC's marquee matchups, visiting Jackson State (5-1, 2-1 SWAC) on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT), and the game will stream live on ESPN+.

The Rattlers are coming off a 28-27 win at Alabama State on Oct. 9, their first SWAC victory and first road win of the season. Jackson State had its unbeaten start snapped Saturday in a 45-38 loss at Grambling State. The Tigers will also be celebrating homecoming.

GAME INFORMATION

Matchup: Florida A&M at Jackson State
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 17 | 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT)
Venue: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium | Jackson, Miss.
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Radio: WHBX 96.1 FM | Rattler Sports Network
Live Stats: FAMUAthletics.com
X/Twitter: @FAMUAthletics | @FAMU_FB
Facebook: /FAMUAth
Instagram: @FAMUAthletics | @FAMUFB
YouTube: /GoFAMUAthletics
Game Day Hashtags: #FAMUvsJSU | #BeatJSU | #FangsUp | #FAMUly

Parker, Burris Powering the Passing Game

Quarterback Armond Parker has thrown for 762 yards and eight touchdowns in four games with a 160.0 passing efficiency rating, third among qualifying SWAC passers. He has six touchdown passes over the last two games and is averaging 9.6 yards per attempt.

Parker was at his best in Montgomery, completing 13 of 20 passes for a season-high 290 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Wide receiver Armand Burris was his top target, catching four passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns, including an 89-yard strike that stands as FAMU's longest play of the season. Burris averages 30.3 yards per catch, the highest mark among the SWAC's top 25 receivers.

Corey Petty leads the Rattlers with 15 receptions, Kieren Jackson has 13 catches for 181 yards and Jaquan Lee is averaging 16.8 yards per catch. Seven different Rattlers have caught touchdown passes. Jamal Hailey leads the ground game with 143 rushing yards and has added 10 catches and two receiving scores. FAMU has scored on 11 of 12 trips inside the red zone.

Rattler Defense Making Plays When It Matters

The FAMU defense came up big late at Alabama State. The Hornets reached the red zone three times and scored only one touchdown, and the Rattlers forced misses on field goal attempts of 45 and 47 yards to protect the one-point lead. For the season, FAMU ranks third in the SWAC in both red zone defense and opponent third-down conversion rate (32.8 percent), and its 14 sacks are fourth in the league.

Denzel Johnson leads the team with 38 tackles, including 10 stops at Alabama State, and has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Justin Bostic leads the SWAC with three interceptions, which he has returned for 122 yards and a touchdown. Antonio Camon leads the team with 6.0 tackles for loss and three sacks, while Adeon Farmer (4.0) and Isaiah Morrison (3.5) add to a disruptive front.

Special Teams Remain a Weapon

Florida A&M leads the SWAC in net punting (40.9). Bobby Engstler averages 41.6 yards per punt, second in the conference, with 14 punts downed inside the 20 and no touchbacks. Opponents have managed only 34 punt return yards all season.

Kicker Emilio Bacardi is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and has 12 touchbacks on 25 kickoffs. FAMU ranks third in the SWAC in field goal percentage. Jackson averages 22.5 yards per kickoff return and leads the Rattlers with 406 all-purpose yards.

Scouting the Tigers

Jackson State is scoring 39.5 points per game, second in the SWAC, and leads the league in total offense (464.7 yards per game). Quarterback Jared Lockhart has thrown for 1,395 yards and 13 touchdowns without an interception. Running back Nate Blount IV leads the SWAC at 99.8 rushing yards per game, and Li'Darious Pryor ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns at Grambling. Receiver Nate Rembert leads the league at 88.5 receiving yards per game. Kicker Andrew Ivaniciuc has made 9 of 12 field goals with a long of 51.

Defensively, the Tigers allow a league-best 105.3 rushing yards per game. Linebacker Keith Bass leads the team with 36 tackles, and Justin Foster has 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

The Rattlers will look to exploit some of the openings Grambling State found last week, when the Tigers gave up 438 yards and 45 points and committed three turnovers. Jackson State has only two interceptions this season, 11th in the SWAC, and opponents are converting 44.6 percent of their third downs against the Tigers, also 11th in the league.

Florida A&M's last win in the series came by a 28-10 score in the 2023 Orange Blossom Classic. Jackson State won the most recent meeting, 41-16, last season in Tallahassee.

After Saturday, the Rattlers return home to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 24 at Bragg Memorial Stadium.