Florida A&M Earned FCS Playoffs Bid

The Florida A&M Rattlers football team earned the at-large bid to participate in the 2021 FCS Football Playoffs.

Kyle T. Mosley | Nov 21, 2021

The Florida A&M Rattlers football team earned the at-large bid to participate in the 2021 FCS Football Playoffs.

When the FCS Playoffs committee decided to extend a berth to FAMU, it was the culmination of an exceptional 8-2 season for Coach Simmons' squad.

FAMU Coach Simmons hold Florida Classic Trophy — Coach Simmons hold Florida Classic Trophy; Credit: FAMU Athletics

The Rattlers fought, lobbied, and earned one of the 13 at-large bids in the 24-team field because of a solid 8-2 record and an extremely tenacious defense.

Coach Simmons' offense improved over the season and are ranked No. 45 in total offense (380.7 yds/gm) in the FCS.

The more compelling factor was the performance of FAMU's defense. After 11 games, the Rattlers are the FCS's top-ranked defense.

Former Florida A&M head coach Rudy Hubbard fielded the first HBCU team to win an FCS National Championship in 1978. The City of Tallahassee recently honored Coach Hubbard with a Key to the City.

The current FAMU team will seek to bring home its second national championship via the road. The Southeastern Louisiana Lions (8-3) will host Florida A&M (9-2) in Hammond, Louisiana at Strawberry Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 6 PM CT.

The two programs have never faced one another on the football field.

FAMU Defense — Rattlers DefenseQB Cole Kelley

kelley_cole_fb_2021_action_web_a111321_0948 — Rattlers DefenseQB Cole Kelley

NUMBER 1 vs. NUMBER 1

The first-round postseason contest will pit SLU's No. 1 ranked offense against the No. 1 ranked defense of Florida A&M.

The Rattlers' defense will have to contend against SLU's quarterback Cole Kelley. The senior dual-threat signal-caller won the 2020-21 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton award. He has completed 339 passes for 4,382 yards, 38 passing, and 16 rushing touchdowns on the season.

FAMU has two weeks to prepare for the high-powered SLU offense in their eighth playoff appearance - first since 2001 in the MEAC. Florida A&M is the first team in the SWAC to participate in the playoffs since Jackson State made the field in 1997.

The FAMU vs. SLU winner will battle No. 3 seed James Madison (10-1) at 1:00 PM CT on Saturday, December 4, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

TOP HBCU LEGENDS ARTICLES

Published Nov 21, 2021

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: