Week 1 will conclude tonight when the Florida State Seminoles host the SMU Mustangs in a Monday night ACC clash. As for the Miami Hurricanes, they are already looking ahead to Week 2, when they will host in-state FCS opponent, the FAMU Rattlers this upcoming Thursday after routing the Stanford Cardinal 45-6.
For the first time here, I will begin doing a report on each team the Hurricanes will play this upcoming season. We will be looking at the opponents on our schedule, including who they got from the transfer portal, their stats, program profile, and a lot more.
Ahead of the matchup, let’s find out a little bit more about the FAMU Rattlers.
Things To Know:
- FAMU is located in Tallahassee, Florida, roughly 485 miles from Coral Gables
- FAMU was founded in 1887 and is one of the most recognizable HBCU schools
- Famous FAMU alums include Bob Hayes, Ken Riley, Willie Gailmore, Pam Oliver and Anika Rose.
- Venom the Rattler is the official mascot
- LeBron James sponsors the team as they were the first ever team sponsored by James.
Bad Offensive & Defensive Numbers
FAMU Rattlers head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. will bring his squad to Miami Gardens having already played two games. They're currently 1-1 on the season after defeating D2 opponent Albany State 20-7, while losing to ranked South Carolina State 31-13 inside Hard Rock Stadium.
If you take away the division-two win over Albany State, the Rattlers are being currently held to negative rushing and are allowing more than five sacks per outing. South Carolina State exposed the Rattlers defense, recording a total of 479 yards of total offense (292 on the ground), and (187 through the air).
The Quarterback
FAMU Rattlers quarterback Isaiah Knowles will go head-to-head against the intimidating Miami Hurricanes defense. Knowles is a transfer from Albany State -- the same team the Rattlers opened the season against. Last year with the Golden Rams, he led them to a school-best 12-2 record and the SIAC title.
During his first two outings as a Rattler, he has completed 21 of his 45 passes, throwing for 284 yards and one score. Miami should be able to expose the Rattlers' offensive line and get to Knowles. He has a total of -47 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Miami's front seven should be able to rattle him all night and disrupt him from passing the ball.
Conclusion
Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes' offense and defense shouldn't have a problem against FAMU. This Rattlers team is not as strong as they used to be and Miami should expose both sides of the ball Thursday night.
This will be an opportunity for the Hurricanes freshman to get run and see what they can do on the field. I don't expect Cristobal to run up the score on these guys based on past experiences against FCS foes. However, Miami should be able to flex its big boy muscles on Thursday.
