MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. –
Justin Bostic registered two interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown, Sunday afternoon as Florida A&M fell to No. 22 South Carolina State by a score of 31-13 in the 2026 edition of the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Florida A&M (1-1) scored on the game's opening possession.
Quarterback
Isaiah Knowles connected for 3 of 6 passing on the drive, amassing 35 of his 94 yards passing in the contest, on that drive, connecting with
Kieren Jackson for 12 yards on he first play from scrimmage. After the Rattlers stalled deep inside the South Carolina State red zone,
Emilio Bacardi connected on a 30-yard field goal to put the Orange and Green ahead, 3-0.
S.C. State (2-0) responded fast, using just 28 seconds off the clock and two plays to take a 7-3 lead after a 58-yard touchdown run from running back Mason Pickett-Hicks.
After the Rattlers fumbled on their ensuing possession, the Bulldogs would capitalize once again – this time courtesy a quick six-yard rushing score from Josh Shaw up the middle, putting SCSU up, 14-3.
The Rattlers would trim the deficit at 14-6 in the second quarter.
A series of
Chase Gillespie rushing attempts saw the senior from Tallahassee, Florida, burst up the middle for 12 yards and set up another Bacardi field goal. Bacardi's kick was good from 31 yards out.
However, SCSU once again responded in kind with a scoring drive of its own.
Pickett-Hicks was once again the focal point of the attack, allowing signal-caller Keely Watson to call his own number for six yards and put the Bulldogs down to the FAMU one yard line. That's when Shaw went up the middle for his second score of the first half to extend the SCSU lead, 21-6.
That's where the score stood as the teams headed to the locker room at the half.
A second half defensive standout performance was turned in by both sides.
But not before the Bulldogs pulled ahead to a 28-6 lead on the strength of a 32-yard scoring run from Pickett-Hicks. Jett Jackson's point-after was good for the 22-point Bulldogs advantage after their opening possession of the third stanza.
The Bulldogs appeared to be going in for another score on their next drive, but it was
Justin Bostic stepping in front of a Watson pass, where he carried it back 80 yards for the score to bring the Rattlers within 28-13 with 6:07 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs would score the final points of the game off a Jackson 39-yard field goal with just 1:09 remaining in the contest. The drive featured four Pickett-Hicks rushes to set up the field goal.
The Bulldogs offense was led by Watson, who finished 10-of-17 passing for 168 yards and two interceptions. Receiver Malaqhi Jones led the receiving core with six receptions for 72 yards. And it was Pickett-Hicks carrying the heavy load in the backfield with 17 carries for 210 yards and two scores.
The defense was headlined by Marcus Samuels with six tackles, as well as Jordan Dollard with a game-high matching six tackles of his own. Josh Barker accounted for two quarterback sacks.
FAMU's offense was limited to just 161 yards of total offense on the night by the Bulldogs defense.
Dustin Fletcher entered the game at quarterback in a reserve role, throwing for 68 yards on 6-for-8 passing.
Jamal Hailey had just 13 yards rushing on 11 carries. But Jackson tallied 69 receiving yards on four catches. Bacardi was a perfect 2-for-2 in field goal attempts.
The Rattlers defense was sparked by Bostic with a game-high tying six tackles and career-best two interceptions, adding the one for a touchdown.
Andre Powell Jr. also had six tackles for the Orange and Green.
FAMU returns to the gridiron Thursday, Sept. 10, when the Rattlers face off against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent and seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes back inside Hard Rock Stadium at 8 p.m.
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