FAMU player Kenari Wilcher returning a kickoff against Albany State. [Khalil-Lullah Ballentine/FAMUAN]

After an embarrassing loss to North Carolina Central, FAMU now must lick their wounds and turn the page to face off against Alcorn State University for homecoming.  

“Winning at home, winning at home for homecoming, winning a football game – all three of those things [are of] the utmost importance,” FAMU head coach James Colzie III said.  

 FAMU has won every homecoming game since 2018. (The Rattlers lost in 2017 against North Carolina A&T.) 

Entering this homecoming matchup, the Rattlers are coming in on a two-game home losing streak falling to Alabama State and North Caronia Central. “This would be the time if you want to save face or move forward,” he said. “It’d be great to do it on homecoming afternoon.” 

The Rattlers have been dealing with trial and error at the quarterback position throughout the season. Last week’s game in a loss against North Carolina Central 45 to seven, Jett Peddy started for FAMU. In his start, he threw for 154 yards and three interceptions.  

Offensive woes continue for FAMU as they rank second to last in the SWAC conference, averaging 15.4 points per game and nine touchdowns on the year.  

“What’s been hurting us when we get to that plus 40,” Colzie said, “Getting past that to get the touchdown, to get the field goals and to get the points that we would need.”  

The Braves are coming into Tallahassee with a win under their belt against Lincoln University in week seven, winning in dominating fashion. Alcorn currently sits in the same position as the Rattlers seeking to get their first SWAC win.  

“We need to get a win at home,” Colzie said. “We need to get a win in front of our home fans and in that locker room we need to get a win.”  

Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Bragg Memorial Stadium at Ken Riley Field.