TSU VS. FLORIDA A&M
WHEN: 11 A.M. SATURDAY • WHERE: BRAGG MEMORIAL STADIUM; TALLAHASSEE, FLA. • TV: ESPNU • RADIO: 90.9 FM
Series history: Florida A&M leads 9-1. Key players: TSU – RB Brad Woodard, WR Tracy Johnson, DB Sean Jones; FAMU – DL Calvin Darville, DB Orlando McKinley, QB Ryan Stanley
WHO HAS THE EDGE:
Offense — Texas Southern. The Tigers were slightly more productive a year ago, averaging more yards per game and scoring more TDs, but both units ranked near the bottom of the FCS. The teams also are trotting out new QBs this season, but the Tigers return leading rusher Brad Woodard, who carried 116 times for 515 yards and three TDs last year.
Defense — Texas Southern. The Rattlers expect to take a step forward defensively, with returning ends Calvin Darville and Elijah Price leading the line and Orlando McKinley back in the defensive backfield. But they surrendered 50 TDs last season and allowed an average of 32.8 points and 382.6 yards. The Tigers were stingier, surrendering 27.6 points per outing, although they also allowed 396.3 yards.
Special teams — Even. The Tigers are more unsettled at kicker entering this season after Eric Medina’s (15-of-16 on FGs) graduation. For the Rattlers, K Austin Miller succeeds Colby Blanton after hitting only 3-of-6 field goal tries in 2016.
Notable: This matchup officially kicks off the 2017 season after it was moved up for a national TV broadcast. The first meeting between the two teams this century is dubbed the inaugural Jake Gaither Classic after the Rattlers’ longtime coach. About Texas Southern: Defensive returners Sean Jones, Archie Rice and Dondre Dobbins started most of the Tigers’ games last season. The rest of the defense is new – as is most of the team. They graduated QB Averion Hurts — the older brother of Alabama QB Jalen Hurts — who threw for 1,857 yards and 12 TDs in the team’s 4-7 2016. About Florida A&M: The Rattlers also went 4-7 in 2016 after dropping their first four games last season. They beat Savannah State (19-14), Delaware State (41-27), Hampton (31-14) and Morgan State (22-21) in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play .