Florida A&M Wins 2023 SWAC Football Championship
HOUSTON - Willie Simmons and the Florida A&M Rattlers are the 2023 SWAC Football Champions after defeating the Prairie View Panthers, 35-14, at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
The game had rain delays, chippy play, and a myriad of injuries on the Prairie View sidelines, but FAMU would not be denied. It was Willie Simmons' time. He led the Rattlers to an undefeated 9-0 record in the conference and 11-1 overall record. The Florida A&M Rattlers will meet Howard University Bison at the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, Dec. 16.
"It was a wild, wild game," Simmons said following winning the championship. "I'm so proud of these guys, and I can't say enough about the journey. Many people remember how this season started, something that was viewed as a negative for the program. Culminating with the SWAC Championship is truly special."
The Rattlers' offense and defense would strike first. Prairie View was moving the football into FAMU territory until quarterback Trazon Connley's pass glanced off his receiver's hands into defensive back Javan Morgan's arms at their 33-yard line. After three plays, Jeremy Moussa connected on a 60-yard pass to wide receiver Marcus Riley, who was tackled at the 1-yard line. On the following play, running back Terrell Jennings rushed in and scored a touchdown from 1 yard out. Cameron Gillis then successfully kicked an extra point, giving the Rattlers an early 7-0 lead.
Prairie View's offense struggled on its ensuing drive. Jeremy Moussa had a one-yard plunge for a touchdown after guiding Florida A&M on a 7-play, 57-yard drive to increase their lead to 14-0 with 4:48 left in the first quarter.
The Panthers could not respond to the two early touchdowns by their SWAC East foe. Again, Moussa and the Rattlers easily marched down the field on a 9-play, 71-yard touchdown drive when running back Jaquez Yant scampered through the Prairie View defensive line for a 1-yard score. Florida A&M took a commanding 21-0 lead with 10:50 on the clock before intermission.
Bubba McDowell witnessed Trazon Connley injure his shoulder after a massive hit from defensive lineman Hunt. The Panthers' defense held the Rattlers, and Connley returned to the game. With 44 seconds left before halftime, running back Caleb Johnson got Prairie View on the board with an 8-yard touchdown burst. The 9-play, 80-yard drive gave the Panthers life to get within 14 points, 21-7, going into the locker room.
During the third period, the game was delayed due to lightning surrounding Bragg Memorial Stadium. As play restarted, running back Ahmad Antoine rushed up the middle for 35 yards to the endzone. PV trailed by 7, 21-14 with 7:53 in the 3rd.
However, Willie Simmons had enough; it was time for the FAMU to dominate again. Jeremy Moussa led the Rattlers down the field on their next drive, connecting with Marcus Riley for a 32-yard touchdown. With 4:35 remaining in the third quarter, Florida A&M extended their lead to 28-14.
Prairie View lost Trazon Connley, but Kenneth Patterson would never get into a rhythm offensively.
Florida A&M kept its foot on the pedal as running Terrell Jennings blazed 33 yards for the final Rattlers touchdown. Florida would end the game up 35-14, and punch their ticket to the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Florida A&M Leaders
- QB Jeremy Moussa - 13/22, 188 yards, 1 TD
- RB Terrell Jennings - 17 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TDs
- WR Marcus Riley - 5 receiving, 132 yards, 1 TD
Prairie View A&M Leaders
- QB Trazon Connley - 7/14, 1 INT
- RB Caleb Johnson - 10 rushes, 56 yards, 1 TD
- RB Ahmad Antoine - 6 rushes, 52 yards, 1 TD
- QB Chris Herron - 7 rushes, 71 yards