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Date/Time: Saturday, October 25 – 5:00 p.m. EST
Location: A.W. Mumford Stadium
Broadcast: SWAC TV | 96.1 JAMZ

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida A&M Rattlers travel to Southern for a highly-anticipated bout between two of the most influential brands in college sports.

FAMU Offense: Balanced, Efficient, and Precise

Quarterback Play – RJ Johnson III Emerging


Completion Percentage: 64.1% (4th in SWAC, 44th nationally)
Passing Efficiency: 139.2 (5th SWAC, 50th nationally)
Passing Yards: 1,133 (3rd SWAC)
Yards per Attempt: 7.41 (5th SWAC)
Passing TDs: 6

Johnson isn’t just managing games — he’s protecting the football. With only 4 interceptions in 7 games, his 1.5% interception rate ranks among the most efficient in FCS football. His ability to move the chains on 3rd down (41.9% team conversion rate, 4th SWAC) keeps defenses guessing and the clock running — a critical factor given FAMU’s 31:46 average time of possession (2nd SWAC).

Running Game – Franklin’s Consistent Power


Thad Franklin Jr.:

297 rushing yards
4.3 yards per carry (9th SWAC)
4 TDs (11th SWAC)

While not explosive statistically, Franklin’s downhill style gives the Rattlers the short-yardage reliability Southern lacks. FAMU converts 50% of its 4th down attempts (4th SWAC), largely

Receivers – Explosive Depth


Kenari Wilcher:

18.4 yards per catch (5th SWAC)
43.0 receiving YPG
245 combined return yards (4th SWAC)


Miles Campbell: 13.9 yards per catch (17th SWAC)

Wilcher’s explosiveness forces secondaries to play honest, while Campbell gives Johnson a reliable intermediate target. Together, they complement an offense that ranks 43rd nationally in passing yards — by far the highest ranking of any SWAC team not named Jackson State.
 
FAMU Defense: Opportunistic and Tough

Florida A&M’s defense is the backbone of this team. Despite facing short fields early in the season, the unit remains top-5 in the SWAC in total defense (377.3 YPG) and excels in key-down execution.

Run Defense and Front Seven


Rushing Defense: 163.8 YPG (6th SWAC)
Team Sacks: 1.5 per game (7th SWAC)
TFLs: 4.3 per game (10th SWAC)

The stats show a bend-but-don’t-break philosophy. Antonio Camon anchors the edge (0.42 sacks per game), while Corey Collier Jr. is a disruptive force — tied for the SWAC lead in forced fumbles (0.40 per game) and adding 1 fumble recovery.

The Rattlers are also #2 in the SWAC in fewest first downs allowed (126), proof that they shut drives down before they snowball.

Pass Defense and Secondary


Passing Yards Allowed: 213.5 YPG (5th SWAC, 57th nationally)
Team Pass Efficiency Defense: 143.1 (8th SWAC)
Ah’mare Lee:

1.2 passes defended per game (1st SWAC, 22nd nationally)
Interceptions per game: 0.20

FAMU’s coverage unit remains one of the most fundamentally sound in the SWAC. They’ve allowed fewer than 220 passing yards in four straight games, and with Southern averaging just 132 passing yards per game, the Rattlers hold a decisive edge.

Special Teams: Championship-Caliber Hidden Yardage

Punting and Field Position


Bobby Engstler:

43.4 YPP (1st SWAC, 18th nationally)
Constantly flips the field — especially key when facing a struggling Southern offense ranked 115th in time of possession (27:20).

Placekicking


Daniel Porto:

81.8% FG accuracy (3rd SWAC, 20th nationally)
1.5 field goals per game (1st SWAC)

Porto’s reliability gives FAMU a scoring advantage in every close game — and in this matchup, Southern’s kicker (55.6% FG rate) can’t match his consistency.

Southern: Outmatched by the Numbers

To put it bluntly, Southern’s statistical profile shows a team outgunned on both sides of the ball:

 




Category
FAMU
Southern
Advantage




Scoring Offense
18.3 PPG
13.1 PPG
FAMU


Total Offense
335.0 YPG
285.4 YPG
FAMU


Passing Offense
231.8 YPG
132.1 YPG
FAMU


Total Defense
377.3 YPG
421.7 YPG
FAMU


Penalty Yards/Game
60.6
73.6
FAMU


Turnover Margin
0.00
-0.86
FAMU


Time of Possession
31:46
27:20
FAMU

Southern’s offense relies almost entirely on Trey Holly (584 yards, 6.0 YPC), but against a FAMU front built to stop the run, that one-dimensionality spells trouble. Their passing offense, led by Cam’Ron McCoy (69.5 YPG), lacks the precision and rhythm needed to challenge FAMU’s disciplined secondary.

Johnson and Porto earn SWAC Player of the Week Accolades

Florida A&M quarterback RJ Johnson III and kicker Daniel Porto have earned Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) weekly honors after leading the Rattlers to another strong showing on the gridiron. Johnson was named Co-Newcomer of the Week, while Porto earned Specialist of the Week recognition.

Johnson, a first-year starter for FAMU, turned in a commanding performance through the air, completing 26 of 38 passes for 323 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. The Rattlers’ offense found rhythm under his leadership, with Johnson consistently connecting on key passes — including a long completion of 33 yards — while avoiding costly mistakes and absorbing just two sacks.

Meanwhile, senior kicker Daniel Porto continued his steady season by drilling four field goals, including a career-long 51-yarder just before halftime. Porto’s accuracy proved critical, as he finished 4-for-5 on the day, converting kicks from 36, 28, 51, and 38 yards. His consistency and range helped secure FAMU’s offensive momentum throughout the contest.