How FAMU football leaned on a sack party to defeat Albany State

Florida A&M football would appreciate an ugly win over a loss any day.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Rattlers (1-0) defeated the Albany State Golden Rams (0-1) 20-7 in the Week 0 season opener on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Redshirt defensive end Antonio Camon Jr. led the Rattlers with three sacks on the night. Altogether, FAMU had 10 sacks.

FAMU outgained Albany State 260-163 before a crowd of 14,047 in Tallahassee.

Saturday marked FAMU's first win under head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr., who led the Albany State Golden Rams program the previous three seasons.

FAMU football still has work to do, struggles to score touchdowns

The Rattlers' offense is still a work in progress under starting quarterback Isaiah Knowles.

Of course, they had their bright spots, with highlight catches by wide receiver Corey 'Deuce' Petty and tight end Xavier Herndon.

However, FAMU struggled to complete drives. Even in short field situations after big plays, or with the help of the defense and special teams units.

Two examples.

In the third quarter, after Herndon gained 27 yards on an impressive falling catch in double coverage, FAMU couldn't punch it in. The Rattlers attempted a reverse play, but Knowles fumbled the football after seemingly looking to pitch the ball.

It set the Rattlers back, and they had to settle for a field goal.

In the fourth and final period, the FAMU defense forced a fumble, but FAMU failed to score from nine yards out, kicking another field goal.

But the Rattlers ultimately got in the endzone once more after Tallahassee native and former Godby High School star running back Chase Gillespie scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown. It was set up by a 39-yard reception from Tallahassee native and former Lincoln High School wide receiver Maliek Denmark.

The Rattlers had previously scored a lengthy passing touchdown from Knowles to Kieren Jackson, but it was called back for holding.

Altogether, Knowles was 14-for-23 for 190 yards and threw a touchdown. Running back Jamal Hailey led the ground game with 16 carries for 57 yards. Wide receiver Jaquan Lee had a team-high six catches that went for 25 yards.

FAMU football DE Antonio Camon Jr. leads collection of sacks

Albany State quarterback JD Davis spent the entire night getting chased by the FAMU defense.

The Rattlers collected nine sacks on the night. Led by Camon's three, Adeon Farmer, Paul Gatley, DJ Jones, Omari Kinsler, Isaiah Morrison, and Vinh Quain were all credited with a sack.

FAMU forced its first turnover of the season with a forced fumble on a backward pass by Davis, caused by Farmer. Linebacker Ryan Johnson recovered it.

The only gripe with the FAMU defense came late.

After forcing a turnover on downs, cornerback Isiah Davis was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for shoving the receiver after breaking up the pass.

It led to Albany State's first and only touchdown on the night, a seven-yard pass from Exavior Sharrod to Vinson Berry.

FAMU football special teams shifts momentum vs Albany State

Special teams may have been Saturday's underrated difference in the game.

FAMU prevented Albany State from flipping the field and making a field goal on two occasions.

Before halftime, the Rattlers blocked a Golden Ram punt by Jonathan Rodriguez at the 15-yard line. Then in the

Then, in the fourth quarter, FAMU defensive back duo Isiah Davis and Simion Hines collaborated to block a kick by Rodriguez, boosting the comeback efforts.

Florida A&M football full 2026 schedule and scores

All times are Eastern

• Saturday, Aug. 29: vs. Albany State, 7 p.m., SWAC TV
• Sunday, Sept. 6: vs. South Carolina State, Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium, 3 p.m., ESPNU
• Thursday, Sept. 10: at Miami, 8 p.m., ACC Network
• Saturday, Sept. 19: vs. Tennessee State, 7 p.m., HBCU GO
• Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Alabama A&M (SWAC), 7 p.m., SWAC TV
• Saturday, Oct. 3: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 10: at Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
• Saturday, Oct. 17: at Jackson State (SWAC), 3 p.m., ESPN Network
• Saturday, Oct. 24: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC/Homecoming), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
• Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. Southern (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
• Saturday, Nov. 7: at Alcorn State (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
• Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 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.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: How FAMU football leaned on a sack party to defeat Albany State