Florida A&M lost 29-26 to Tennessee State on Sept. 19 at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium after the Tigers scored nine unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The nonconference loss dropped Florida A&M to 1-3, while Tennessee State improved to 1-3. Florida A&M finished with 449 yards of total offense, but Tennessee State produced the decisive plays late.
Armond Parker gave the Rattlers a 26-20 lead with 5:12 remaining when he connected with Jaquan Lee for an 80-yard touchdown. Florida A&M’s extra-point attempt was blocked, and Syncere Safeeullah returned it 97 yards for a defensive two-point conversion. The play cut Tennessee State’s deficit to 26-24 and left the Tigers one touchdown from taking the lead.
Tennessee State completes fourth-quarter comeback
Tennessee State answered with a winning drive that included a fourth-down conversion and ended with Daylin Lee’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Brenton Paul with 51 seconds remaining. The extra point gave the Tigers a 29-26 advantage. Florida A&M had one final possession but could not regain the lead before time expired.
Paul accounted for all three of Tennessee State’s offensive touchdowns. He rushed 26 times for 92 yards and a touchdown while catching four passes for 36 yards and two scores. Cam Bulluck added four receptions for 84 yards, including a 63-yard catch that set up Tennessee State’s go-ahead rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
Tennessee State also benefited from a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jalen LaBranche. The Tigers finished with 390 total yards, including 259 passing yards and 131 rushing yards. Florida A&M held Tennessee State to 134 rushing yards while recording four sacks.
Florida A&M offense produces 449 yards
Parker completed 14 of 25 passes for 267 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Hailey, who finished with eight catches for 83 yards and a score. Parker connected with Maliek Denmark for a 31-yard gain during the third-quarter scoring drive.
Dustin Fletcher started at quarterback and completed 6 of 11 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the second quarter. His touchdown pass went 5 yards to Denmark, who later scored on an 18-yard run. Florida A&M tied the game at 20 in the third quarter on Parker’s touchdown pass to Hailey before taking its late lead on the 80-yard play to Jaquan Lee.
Florida A&M’s defense kept the game within reach with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Denzel Johnson led all players with 11 tackles, while Caleb McKenzie recorded eight. Andre Powell Jr. blocked Tennessee State’s 24-yard field-goal attempt with 5:29 remaining, but the Rattlers could not turn the stop into a victory.
Florida A&M begins SWAC play next weekend
Florida A&M will open Southwestern Athletic Conference play at home against Alabama A&M next weekend. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff inside Bragg Memorial Stadium. The matchup follows Florida A&M’s 1-3 start to the season.
FSB Take
Florida A&M generated enough offense to lead Tennessee State late, but the blocked extra point and the Tigers’ final touchdown changed the outcome. Parker’s 80-yard scoring connection with Jaquan Lee put the Rattlers ahead, yet Tennessee State answered with nine straight fourth-quarter points. Florida A&M now turns to its home SWAC opener against Alabama A&M.
Source: Original report