TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M and Tennessee State will rekindle a longstanding football rivalry this weekend as the Rattlers welcome the Tigers to Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. The game is part of a FAMU Hall of Fame Weekend in Tallahassee, Florida.
 
Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State
Sept. 19, 2026 | 7 p.m.
Bragg Memorial Stadium | Tallahassee, Fla.
WHBX 96.1 FM (Radio) | Sirius XM (Radio) | HBCU GO
 
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Florida A&M 1-2 (0-0 SWAC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats
 
Tennessee State 0-3 (0-0 OVC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats | Game Notes
 
Game Day Hashtags
#FAMUvsTNST | #BeatTNST | #FangsUp | #FAMUly
 
Story Lines –
• After successive weeks on the road – both in Miami Gardens, the Rattlers return home to the friendly confines of Bragg Memorial Stadium for the first time since a season opening win from Albany State on August 29…
• The series goes back to the 1956 Orange Blossom Classic, and the teams also met in the Atlanta Football Classic from the late 1980s into the 2000s…
• For quarterback Dustin Fletcher, This is his first start against an FCS opponent, though he has FCS starting experience at The Citadel…
• The Rattlers are allowing an average of 38.3 points per game to the opposition; all be it 77 points came from FBS opponent and seventh-ranked Miami (Fla.)…
• FAMU is averaging 176 yards of offense per game coming into the weekend…
• Four different quarterbacks have seen action this year, with Fletcher going 14 of 27 for 101 yards, followed by Armond Parker going 3 of 7 for 37 yards. Allt his in the wake of a season-ending injury to Isaiah Knowles…
• Receivers Kieren Jackson (6 rec., 88 yds) and Corey Petty (8 rec., 83 yds) top the core in yards…
• The Orange and Green offense has been limited to just two (2) touchdowns so far this year – both coming against Albany State…
• Defensively, Denzel Johnson tops the squad with 17 tackles (10 assisted), adding a fumble recovery and a forced fumble across the first three games of the season…
• Also on defense, Justin Bostic has a pair of interceptions for the Rattlers, including one for touchdown against South Carolina State in the Orange Blossom Classic…
 
Series Notes –
• In what used to be a longstanding rivalry between Florida A&M and Tennessee State, it is the Tigers of "Big Blue" that lead the series, 31-24…
• Tennessee State has won the last six meetings, respectfully…
• The last meeting was a 24-13 decision in favor of the Tigers in the Tampa Classic (Tampa, Fla.) back on Sept. 16, 2017…
• FAMU's last victory over TSU was a 31-12 score line in Atlanta, Georgia, back in 2009…
 
The Broadcasts –
The game will be carried live on WHBX-FN 96.1 with Bryan Fulford (play-by-play) operating alongside Albert Chester Sr. (analyst). The game will also be carried live both nationally and internationally by HBCU GO and available any time on-demand.
 
The Coach –
Head Coach Quinn Gray Sr. is now in his inaugural season at the helm of the FAMU Football program in his return "home" to Tallahassee, where he starred as a student-athlete from 1997-2001. The FAMU graduate of 2001 holds a record of 1-1 overall with the Orange and Green. He has never faced the Tigers of Tennessee State as a head coach in his career at either Albany State or Florida A&M, respectively.
 
The Weather –
Projected temperatures on game day: Tallahassee – 94/72. Nashville, Tenn. – 97/71.
 
A Win over Tennessee State Would –
• Give Head Quinn Gray Sr. his second win at the helm in Tallahassee...
• Snap a Rattlers six-game losing skid to the Tigers…
• Allow FAMU to even its record at 2-2 on the season…
• Keep the Rattlers undefeated at home in 2026…
 
Noting the Tigers –
• Jayden Guy and Cam Bulluck share the team lead with 15 receptions. Guy has accumulated a team-high 202 receiving yards and is averaging 13.5 yards per catch, while Bulluck has recorded 131 yards…
• Daylin Lee has completed 53 of 101 passes for 514 yards and one touchdown for "Big Blue"…
• Two Tigers have reached 200 all-purpose yards. Guy leads the team with 202, all on receptions, while Daion Gaston has totaled 200 with 136 kickoff-return yards, 48 receiving yards and 16 punt-return yards…
• Truette Tumey has averaged 43.4 yards on 16 punts. Five of his punts have traveled at least 50 yards, including a season-long 65-yarder, and two have been downed inside the 20-yard line…
 
#FangsUp Next –
FAMU stays at home when opening Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against Alabama A&M on Saturday, Sept. 26, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
 
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