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Home International FAMU football takeaways as skid ends vs Mississippi Valley State

FAMU football takeaways as skid ends vs Mississippi Valley State

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See photos from last 2026 home football game at Florida A&M University

Mississippi Valley State takes on Florida A&M at the last FAMU home football game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.

(Sarah Cheatham/Tallahassee Democrat)

Florida A&M has finally shook off the Delta Devils.

In Saturday’s home finale and Senior Day, the Rattlers hosted defeated the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 16-13 in a Week 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference clash on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

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With Valley looking to tie the game as time expired, Luka Sari missed a 42-yard field goal attempt to clinch the win for the Rattlers, who ended a four-game losing streak. It’s also FAMU’s first home win since Aug. 29, when it hosted Albany State for the season opener.

The game served as revenge for the Rattlers, who’s longstanding home winning streak was ended by MVSU in 2024. Valley also beat FAMU in Itta Bena in 2025. Those are the Delta Devils’ only wins over FAMU all-time.

The Rattlers (3-8, 2-5 in SWAC) outgained the Delta Devils (3-8, 2-5 in SWAC) 310 to 231 before a home crowd of 7,001.

The Rattlers’ top performer was running back Chase Gillespie. The Tallahasee native went for 13 carries and 111 rushing yards. He’s FAMU’s first single-game 100-yard rusher since Jamal Hailey went for 157 at Southern on Oct. 25, 2025.

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Offense

James Hayes got the start at quarterback for the Rattlers. FAMU’s starter for the previous six games, Armond Parker, warmed up and was dressed in uniform on the sidelines.

Hayes, a transfer junior from Alabama State, had a pretty good pocket presence. But sometimes he lacked zip and heat on passes, which at times put the football in harms way.

Hayes finished going 14-for-27 for 144 yards, threw a touchdown and had two interceptions. The touchdown was credited to wide receiver Jamar Taylor Jr. after he recovered a fumble after Armand Burris fumble it at the goal line en route to a 23-yard touchdown.

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While quarterback is always the hottest topic, it was actually the Rattlers’ run game that led the way.

This season, FAMU was last in SWAC rushing and one of the worst in all of NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

Hailey followed Gillespie’s breakout game with 47 yards. One hiccup was that Gillespie fumbled the ball with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Defense

FAMU kept MVSU quarterback Josh Brown in check for the most part.

Brown finished 9-for-23 for 70 yards and was sacked by FAMU defensive tackle Daryl ‘DJ’ Jones.

The Rattlers’ most impressive play came on a quarterback hurry by defensive end Antonio Camon Jr. The edge rusher hit Brown and the football popped into the air. And defensive lineman Isaiah Morrison came down with the interception.

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With the pass game not making much noise, Valley relied on FAMU’s achilles heel ― running the ball.

Valley had 161 rushing yards, led by 70 and a touchdown by running back Dezmond Ray.

But it wasn’t enough.

Florida A&M football scores and full 2026 schedule

Current record: UPDATE RECORD

All times are Eastern

  • Saturday, Aug. 29: FAMU 20, Albany State 7

  • Sunday, Sept. 6 (Orange Blossom Classic): South Carolina State 31, FAMU 13

  • Thursday, Sept. 10: Miami 77, FAMU 7

  • Saturday, Sept. 19: Tennessee State 29, FAMU 26

  • Saturday, Sept. 26: Alabama A&M 40, FAMU 21

  • Saturday, Oct. 3: BYE

  • Friday, Oct. 9: FAMU 28, Alabama State 27

  • Saturday, Oct. 24 (Homecoming): Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31, FAMU 28

  • Saturday, Oct. 31: Southern 42, FAMU 14

  • Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/Senior Day), 3 p.m., SWAC TV

  • Saturday, Nov. 21: vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic), 3:30 p.m., ESPN+

Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat under the USA TODAY Network.

Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football takeaways as skid ends vs Mississippi Valley State

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com

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