Armond Parker passes the ball during Saturday’s game (Elijah Durant)

We’re just not a good football team right now,” Florida A&M Head Football Coach Quinn Gray Sr. said.  

Disappointment filled the air in Tallahassee as the losing streak extended to four losses for Florida A&M after being defeated by the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday night. 

The Bulldogs spoiled Gray’s SWAC opener with a 40-21 victory. This marks Alabama A&M’s first win against Florida A&M since the Rattlers joined the SWAC conference in 2021.    

Bulldog duo Cornelious Brown IV and Byron Perrilliat led an offensive masterclass for Alabama A&M. Brown threw three touchdowns and Perrilliat rushed for 223 yards and ran in for two scores.   

Freshman quarterback Armond Parker opened the game strong in his first career start. He completed his first four passes, including a 40-yard strike to Kieren Jackson on fourth down to take the first lead of the game.  Alabama A&M responded with three straight passing touchdowns from Brown.   

Midway through the second quarter, Justin Bostic caught his third interception of the season, setting the Rattlers up in the red zone. Florida A&M capped off the drive with a touchdown. Alabama A&M blocked the extra point attempt and returned it to score two points, leading 23-13 at halftime.   

Brown did not play in the third quarter due to cramping. Florida A&M capitalized on the quarterback change, cutting the deficit down to 23-21.   

Brown returned in the fourth quarter and made his presence felt immediately, with a 30-yard pass on his first throw. The Bulldogs rolled through the Rattlers, scoring 17 unanswered points to finish the game.   

Florida A&M’s 1-4 record marks their worst start to a season in 10 years.   

Parker finished the game with three turnovers, two of which were thrown in the fourth quarter. Despite his shortcomings, Gray says that he is encouraged about the future of the young quarterback.   

Florida A&M still has support from the Rattler fanbase.  

Former Florida A&M football player and member of the 2023 Celebration Bowl championship-winning team, T.J. Huggins, says that he believes the biggest difference between the 2023 team and the current team is chemistry. Huggins also thinks that the coaching staff should be patient with their players.   

“It sounds crazy, but I think the coaches need to stop being so hard and let the boys have fun,” Huggins said.  

The Rattlers still have seven games left in 2026, and among those keeping faith that the team can turn the season around is FAMU alumna Kennedy Hill 

“I’m not going to give up on Coach Gray just yet.”  Hill said.   

Florida A&M looks to regroup going into their bye week. The Rattlers will take on Alabama State on the road, Oct. 16.   

Alabama A&M will face off against Jackson State in Mobile, Ala. on Oct 3.