Florida A&M University men’s football fell to No. 22 South Carolina State 31-13 on Sept. 6 in the 2026 Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Justin Bostic recorded two interceptions for Florida A&M, including an 80-yard return for the Rattlers’ only touchdown. Florida A&M dropped to 1-1, while South Carolina State improved to 2-0.
Florida A&M scored first on Emilio Bacardi’s 30-yard field goal after Isaiah Knowles completed 3 of 6 passes for 94 yards. Bacardi later connected from 31 yards, finishing 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts. The Rattlers trailed 21-6 at halftime.
South Carolina State Takes Control Early
South Carolina State answered the opening field goal with a 58-yard touchdown run by Mason Pickett-Hicks. Josh Shaw then scored on a 6-yard run after a Florida A&M fumble before adding a 1-yard touchdown run later in the first half.
Pickett-Hicks scored on a 32-yard run early in the third quarter to extend South Carolina State’s lead to 28-6. Bostic responded by intercepting Keely Watson and returning the pass 80 yards for a touchdown with 6:07 remaining in the third quarter. Jett Jackson’s 39-yard field goal with 1:09 left provided the game’s final points.
Bulldogs Produce 479 Total Yards
South Carolina State finished with 479 total yards, while Florida A&M had 161. Pickett-Hicks carried 17 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns, and Watson completed 10 of 17 passes for 168 yards with two interceptions. Malaqhi Jones led the Bulldogs with six receptions for 72 yards.
Dustin Fletcher completed 6 of 8 passes for 68 yards in a reserve role for Florida A&M. Kieren Jackson caught four passes for 69 yards, while Jamal Hailey had 13 rushing yards on 11 carries. Bostic and Andre Powell Jr. each recorded six tackles for the Rattlers.
Florida A&M is scheduled to face the seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.
Source: Original report