Bye week gives Rattlers time to fix penalty issues
Photo by Ashley Bigbee
By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer
FAMU finished its game against Southern University with some eye-popping statistics
The most startling was quarterback Jeremy Moussa’s passing for 325 yards. Then there was the line that showed 10 penalties for 100 yards.
So even before coach Willie Simmons brought it up during Monday’s SWAC coaches media call, it was clear what the focus of this bye week would be. Simmons was especially concerned about three personal fouls that accounted for 45 yards in penalties.
“We can’t keep having those types of penalties that become Achilles heels,” Simmons said. “We’ve got to clean those up and that’s going to be the main focus.”
The lost yards weren’t enough to slow down the Rattlers, though. They rallied from a 19-16 deficit to score 10 points in the last half of the fourth quarter to clinch a 26-19 victory over the Jaguars.
The win extended the Rattlers’ SWAC winning streak to 11 games and kept them on track to clinch the East Division and a possible berth into the Celebration Bowl. FAMU is 4-0 in conference play and 5-1 overall
The Rattlers is the only team without a conference loss, while defending champion Jackson State is in second place in the East at 2-1 and 4-2 overall.
Saturday’s loss dropped Southern to 2-1, 2-3 for fourth place in the West Division.
Beating Southern gives the Rattlers such command that they’re expecting to see the best from their six remaining opponents. It’s a familiar scenario, though, as every team brings their best against the Rattlers.
“If you’re getting hunted, you better not relax or you’re somebody’s meal,” Simmons said. “You’ve got to stay hungry. We’ve got to understand the goals we want are still out there. We are in control of that destiny right now.”
Another road game against Texas Southern is next for the Rattlers on Oct. 21.
The Rattlers assured themselves of a firm hold on first place in the East when Moussa found receiver Jamari Gassett on a 12-yard pass and Cameron Gillis added the PAT with a little more than two minutes left in the game.
The Rattlers were trailing 19-16 when they started the comeback. Michael Smith’s 44-yard field goal with 7:21 left forced the tie.
FAMU’s game-winning drive started at its own 31 yard line and took six plays over 3 minutes and 36 seconds before Gassett got into the end zone.
“Good teams find a way to win,” Simmons said. “Even though we are not playing our best ball we are playing ball that gives us a chance to win games. That’s the goal and we will continue to work on the little things.”
