A.J. Burris catches touchdowns of 88 and 89 yards as Florida A&M erases a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun Alabama State.
Florida A&M erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Alabama State 28-27 and spoil the Hornets’ homecoming in Montgomery.
The Rattlers trailed 27-14 before quarterback Armond Parker connected with wide receiver A.J. Burris for touchdowns of 88 and 89 yards. The explosive strikes powered FAMU’s comeback and flipped the game in the final quarter.
A.J. Burris delivers two game-changing touchdowns
Alabama State extended its lead to 27-14 on Andrew Abu-Akel’s 32-yard field goal at 12:18 in the fourth quarter.
FAMU answered 65 seconds later when Parker found Burris for an 88-yard touchdown. The extra point failed, leaving the Rattlers down 27-20.
With 6:03 remaining, Parker and Burris connected again, this time for an 89-yard touchdown. FAMU converted the two-point attempt on a pass to Tamez Young, taking a 28-27 lead.
Burris finished with two catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama State builds a 13-point lead
The Hornets opened the scoring at 12:13 in the first quarter when Zion Crawford returned a blocked field goal 91 yards for a touchdown. Abu-Akel’s extra point made it 7-0.
FAMU tied the game at 7-7 on Armond Parker’s 36-yard rushing touchdown at 6:16.
Abu-Akel added a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter, but Parker answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Hailey with 34 seconds left before halftime. FAMU led 14-10 at the break.
Alabama State regained control in the third quarter. Jamarie Hostzclaw scored on a 1-yard run at 7:39, and Omari Russell returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown 50 seconds later. The back-to-back scores put the Hornets ahead 24-14 before Abu-Akel’s fourth-quarter field goal extended the lead to 27-14.
FAMU then struck twice in the fourth quarter. Parker’s 88-yard touchdown pass to Burris cut the deficit to 27-20. Their 89-yard touchdown connection, followed by the successful two-point conversion to Tamez Young, put the Rattlers ahead 28-27.
The Rattlers’ big-play magic aside, the Hornets took over with 1:57 remainingand 93 yards yards from paydirt. Unfortunately for the home team, Andre Powell Jr forced Jamarie Hostzclaw to cough up football, which was recovered by Caden Brown at the 15-yard line. FAMU was unable to add to their point total, as the kicking issues that have dogged the Rattlers all season undoubtedly prompted them to, unsuccessfully, to attempt a fourth down conversion.
Alabama State, still with a sliver of life left, took over at their own 9-yard line with just 32 seconds left in the contest. Freshman quarterback Aaron Frye led a drive that set Alabama State up for a 47-yard field goal.
Isiah Davis was able to get his mitts on the kick attempt,causing it to fall harmlessly to the turf, well short of its intended target.
Final score by quarter
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Florida A&M | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Alabama State | 7 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
Key statistics
Alabama State finished with 381 total yards, including 274 rushing yards, on 70 plays. FAMU produced 386 total yards on 43 plays.
The Rattlers recorded 290 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, averaging 9.0 yards per play. Alabama State had 107 passing yards and no passing touchdowns.
Key scoring plays
- Z. Crawford: 91-yard blocked field goal recovery touchdown.
- A. Parker: 36-yard rushing touchdown.
- J. Hailey: 19-yard touchdown reception from Parker.
- J. Hostzclaw: 1-yard rushing touchdown.
- O. Russell: 55-yard interception return touchdown.
- A.J. Burris: 88-yard touchdown reception from Parker.
- A.J. Burris: 89-yard touchdown reception from Parker, followed by a successful two-point conversion to T. Young.
FAMU’s explosive passing game erased Alabama State’s late lead and sent the Rattlers home with a memorable 28-27 SWAC victory.
Alabama State (3-3, 1-2), now losers of back-to-back games, hits the road next week, heading to Pine Bluff, AR to take on UAPB. Florida A&M (2-4, 1-1) will also be on the road next week, hitting The Vet to take on Jackson State
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