It’s the primary goal of every SWAC and MEAC team is to end their season in Atlanta GA, where Florida A&M and Norfolk State are starting theirs. The two former MEAC foes faced off in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Falling behind 14-0 early the 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge looked like it could be headed to blowout territory and protracted garbage time, however, 17 unanswered points stretched over the second and third quarters helped lift Florida A&M to a 24-23 victory.
FAMU quarterback, Daniel Richardson, in his first start with the Rattlers, got off to a bit of a slow start, completing just one of his first four passes but settled in connecting 21 of his next 26 passes. He threw for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns and was named the game’s MVP.
It was Norfolk State who struck first when Kevon King took it 82 yards to the house to give the Spartans an early 7-0 lead; King finished the day with 146 yards and 2 touchdowns on the day. NSU put more points on the board later in the quarter, completing a 12-play, 73-yard drive with a one-yard plunge from quarterback Jalen Daniels, putting Norfolk State up 14-0.
Florida A&M would finally break the seal on the scoreboard in the latter portion of the first quarter when Daniel Richardson connected with Thad Franklin Jr from 20 yards out, slicing the deficit in half to 14-7. A 33-yard field goal from Cameron Gillis pulled the Rattlers to within four points at 14-10 at the 11:02 mark of the second quarter.
The score remained static for the remainder of the half, as a Norfolk State field goal attempt was snuffed out by a botched snap.
FAMU took their first lead of the evening when Richardson connected with Jamari Gassett on a 55-yard strike that put Rattlers up 17-14 and marked 17 unanswered points.
Norfolk State responded on their next possession, tying the game 17 points on a 29-yard field goal off the foot of Grandlin Wilcox with 9:04 left in the third quarter.
A 10 plays, 75-yard drive on FAMU’s next possession put the Rattlers back in front, 24-17, when Richardson found Gassett for the second time in the frame, this one from 9 yards out.
The next score of the contest came in the fourth quarter when Kevon King scored his second touchdown of the contest, this one from two yards out. It appeared that Florida A&M blocked the potential game-tying PAT, however, a questionable offsides call against FAMU, gave the Spartans another chance at the Rattlers’ one-yard line. Rather than another PAT attempt Norfolk coach Dawson Odums opted for a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful, leaving the score 24-23. Florida A&M was able to salt the clock away to secure the victory.
Florida A&M continues its abbreviated tour through the MEAC next week when they welcome long-time former foe South Carolina State to Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Norfolk State looks to bounce back from yet another close loss when they head to Greenville, South Carolina next week to take on the Pirates pt East Carolina in the first meeting between the two schools.
