Jamarie Hostzclaw rushed for 135 yards, and Andrew Body threw for two touchdowns to help Alabama State defeat Florida A&M on the highest of Tallahassee’s seven hills.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak to the Rattlers dating back to 2008. Hornets Head Coach Eddie Robinson, Jr. suffered four of those losses. “They’ve been riding around on our bicycle for the last four years,” said Robinson. “So now we came back to get it back.”
Did he just reference the hit film “Friday”? IYKYK
Bama State quarterback Andrew Body continues to impress. The redshirt sophomore came into the game after being named SWAC Player of the Week for the second time this season. While he attempted just 18 passes, his 39-yarder to Jalen Jones gave the Hornets a 21-6 lead early in the third quarter.
Body didn’t need to throw as much because the Rattlers could not stop the Hornets’ rushing attack. Six running backs combined to rush for 299 yards on 42 carries. All six backs had individual runs over 15 yards and averaged over 5.0 yards per carry.
“There’s too many good players in our locker room for us to give up 299 yards rushing and then score 14 points,” said FAMU Head Coach James Colzie, III
The Hornets’ defense bent but never broke. Most importantly, they only allowed the Rattlers’ offense two trips in the red zone and zero big plays for scores. The defensive stop of the game occurred in the third quarter. Kenari Wilcher returned the opening kick of the second half across midfield to give the Rattlers offense its best starting field position of the game. It wasn’t long before the Rattlers were inside the 40 and eyeing the red zone. On fourth and three, senior safety Keane Lewis ran downhill to deliver a shot to the back of Jalen Rogers and stopped the receiver short of the first down.
Colzie protested profusely with the referee’s spot of the ball on the play. “I don’t think the referee was where he needed to be to make that call,” said Colzie.
FAMU managed another score on a 1-yard reception by Miles Campbell, but it was too little, too late.
Bama State turns their attention to Homecoming Weekend and the upset-minded Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman. Kick-off is at 2:00 pm, and tickets are still available here.