Defense leads Florida A&M football over Albany State in Quinn Gray’s debut
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Florida A&M kicked off the 2026 regular season with a 20-7 victory over Albany State in front of a packed Bragg Memorial Stadium in Week 0.
The game marked the head coaching debut for Quinn Gray Sr.
The Rattlers’ offense found its rhythm on their second drive of the game. Facing pressure, quarterback Isaiah Knowles fired a pass over the middle to Corey Petty, who hauled in a spectacular, one-handed catch to set FAMU up in the red zone. On fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line, Knowles found Jaquan Lee in the end zone for the Rattlers’ first touchdown of the season.
Following the early score, the first half transformed into a defensive battle. The Rattlers’ defensive line completely smothered Albany State’s running game, generating a key sack and a blocked punt that set FAMU up with great field position. However, Albany State’s defense held firm when Jimmy Dawson sacked Knowles on fourth-and-goal, keeping the score 7-0 at halftime.
Special teams continued the defensive momentum early in the second half. On Albany State’s opening drive, Simion Hines blocked a Golden Rams field goal attempt to preserve the shutout. From there, the Rattlers pulled away, adding two field goals and another touchdown to secure the victory.
While Albany State managed a late touchdown to avoid the shutout, the story of the game was the Rattlers’ ferocious defense. FAMU’s defensive front held the Golden Rams to just three total rushing yards for the entire game.
With a 1-0 record in the books, the Rattlers will now prepare to head south to Miami Gardens, where they will face South Carolina State in the Orange Blossom Classic.
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