Florida A&M QB Richardson surpasses 10,000 yards in win over Alabama A&M

Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson marked a milestone in his career with 10,054 passing yards and 79 passing touchdowns. He threw for 23 touchdowns and 2,662 yards this season. FAMU finished the season 7-5, 5-3 SWAC and placed 2nd in the Eastern Division. It won’t be the last we see of Richardson as he is expected to play in the 2025 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl.

Florida A&M held off a late surge from Alabama A&M to secure a 28-20 victory at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Friday, improving its record to 7-5 (5-3).

The Rattlers started hot and scored on their first drive when Thad Franklin Jr. broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run just 32 seconds into the game. After Alabama A&M responded with a field goal, FAMU extended its lead with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Richardson to Koby Gross, capping a methodical 10-play, 76-yard drive.

Richardson had an efficient day, completing 19 of 26 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. The ground game was equally effective, with FAMU rushing for 232 yards on 33 carries (7.0 average). Kelvin Dean Jr. led the way with 74 yards, while Levontai Summersett added 74 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, including a 20-yard scoring run in the second quarter that gave the Rattlers a 21-6 lead.

The FAMU defense made its presence felt by recording three sacks and forcing two interceptions. Deco Wilson led the unit with 10 tackles, while Allen Smith Jr. and Davion Westmoreland each recorded sacks.

The Rattlers’ final touchdown came in the third quarter on a 19-yard pass from Richardson to Quan Lee, who finished with a team-high 68 receiving yards. Although Alabama A&M staged a comeback in the fourth quarter and reduced the deficit with two touchdowns, FAMU’s defense held firm in the final minutes and secured the victory.

The win was another strong home performance for Florida A&M, which controlled time of possession and featured a balanced offensive attack that totaled 425 yards. The Rattlers’ defense also came up big when it mattered most, limiting Alabama A&M to just 75 yards rushing on 31 attempts.