HBCU Football Flashback: FAMU Rattlers Defeat Miami Hurricanes

Did you know a Florida HBCU football program defeated the mighty Miami Hurricanes?

Kyle T. Mosley | Jun 1, 2022

Did you know a Florida A&M Rattlers program defeated a Division 1 powerhouse at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee?

In 1979, the Rattlers and quarterback Sammy Knight beat the legendary University of Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger and the 'Canes 16-13. FAMU won by 3 points after future MLB star Vince Coleman kicked the go-ahead field goal in the 4th quarter.

Florida A&M wasn't afraid of playing against college football's so-called "big boys." The Rattlers were coming off their second-consecutive Black College National Championship and won the 1978 I-AA National Championship by defeating UMass in the title game.

Future NFLer Jim Burt and Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly played in the contest.

FAMU's overall record versus the University of Miami is 1-10.

Bethune-Cookman is scheduled to open the 2022 season against Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, on Sept. 3. Jackson State and Florida A&M will battle in the Orange Blossom Classic in the same stadium on Sept. 4. The weekend on South Beach will have plenty of HBCU fans and festivities.

Recent HBCU Legends Articles:

Published Jun 1, 2022

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: