MIAMI – Florida A&M and South Carolina State will link up for nonconference gridiron action Sunday, Sept. 6, as the two teams meet inside Hard Rock Stadium for the 2026 edition of the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., with the game set to be televised on ESPN.
 
Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State
Sept. 6, 2026 | 3 p.m.
Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Fla.
WHBX 96.1 FM (Radio) | Sirius XM (Radio) | ESPN
 
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Florida A&M 1-0 (0-0 SWAC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats
 
South Carolina State 1-0 (0-0 MEAC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats
 
Game Day Hashtags
#SCSUvsFAMU | #BeatSCSU | #FangsUp | #FAMUly
 
Story Lines –
• FAMU tallied 10 sacks in the season opening win over Albany State a week ago at home in Tallahassee, while the Bulldogs did not allow a single sack in their game against Savannah State…
• The Rattlers allowed 15 first downs to Albay State, as SCSU racked up 32 first downs as a unit…
• FAMU quarterback Isaiah Knowles went 14 for 23 in his FAMU debut, accounting for 190 yards and one score through the air…
• Jamal Hailey rushed for 54 yards on 16 carries versus Albany State, averaging 3.4 yards per carry on the night…
• Antonio Camon delivered three quarterback sacks, adding two additional tackles behind the line for five (5) tackles for loss overall…
• Paul Gatley also posted a pair of quarterback sacks for a loss of 11 yards last weekend…
• Punter Bobby Engstler averaged 46.40 yards per kick in the season opener, including one kick of over 50 yards – and adding three inside the 20-yard line…
 
Series Notes –
• In a series that dates back to both teams previously being members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Florida A&M leads the all-time series against S.C. State by a 34-26-2 advantage…
• The two sides first met in the Orange Blossom Classic back in 1973…
• Since 2010, it has been the Bulldogs with the advantage in the series by a 7-5 margin…
• The Rattlers have won the last four meetings in the series, respectfully, including a 22-18 decision in the season-opener for both teams in Tallahassee back in 2024…
• S.C. State's last win over FAMU was a 44-21 score line in 2028, with that game played in Tallahassee…
 
The Broadcasts –
The game will be televised/streamed on ESPN and the WatchESPN app with Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) operating alongside Jay Walker (analyst).
 
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 1-0 overall with the Orange and Green. He has never faced the Bulldogs as a head coach in his career at either Albany State or Florida A&M, respectively.
 
The Weather –
Projected temperatures on game day: Miami Gardens, Fla. – 85/78 (22% chance of rain). Orangeburg, S.C. – 91/74 (61% chance of rain).
 
A Win over S.C. State Would –
• Give Head Quinn Gray Sr. his second win at the helm in Tallahassee...
• Hand Gray his 26th overall win as a collegiate head coach…
• Allow the Rattlers their first OBC victory since 2023…
• Give FAMU its fifth consecutive win over the Bulldogs of SCSU…
 
Next Up –
Florida A&M stays in south Florida as the Rattlers take on the Miami Hurricanes of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
 
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