Florida A&M Releases 2014 Rattler Football Schedule

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Jan.24) -- FAMU Athletics announced the 2014 Rattler Football schedule in a press conference today at the Al Lawson Center. Present at the press conference was head coach Earl Holmes, interim athletic director Michael Smith and the entire Rattler football coaching staff. The theme for this season was also revealed at the junket. “Set the Record Straight,” is the mantra for 2014.

Dr. Larry Robinson, FAMU interim president, is fully involved in the process and is excited for the release of the new schedule. "We have heard our fans loud and clear and nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our student athletes and our fans. We will take these factors into serious consideration as we finalize the details of our 2014 football schedule," Robinson said.

Smith echoed Robinson’s sentiment. “We are proud that we were able to release the schedule a full month ahead of last year. As we move forward with solidifying times. We will ensure to take all factors into consideration as we create an environment optimal for the Rattler spirit we know will come with a new season,” Smith said.

The schedule is highlighted by five home games for the second year in a row. The Rattlers open the season on the road with the renewing of their SWAC rivalry with the Jackson State Tigers on Aug. 30. The following week, the Rattlers travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes of the University of Miami on Sept. 6. FAMU welcomes Coastal Carolina to Bragg Stadium in the first-ever meeting of the schools for Hall of Fame weekend on Sept. 20. The Rattlers close out September in Nashville, Tenn., as they take on the “Big Blue” Tigers of Tennessee State on Sept. 27.

The Rattlers open a two week home stand with Morgan State on Oct. 4, followed by Savannah State on Oct. 11. The Rattlers will visit the nation’s capital on Oct. 18., as they take on the Howard Bison, followed by a trip to Greensboro, NC on Oct. 25 to face the NC A&T Aggies.

Norfolk State returns to Tallahassee on Nov. 1, which will be homecoming. The Bulldogs of S.C. State visit Bragg Stadium on Nov.8 to close out our home schedule.

The final two games feature a trip to Dover, Del., to battle the Hornets of Delaware St., on Nov. 15. The last regular-season finale in the newly renovated Florida Citrus Bowl will be on Nov. 22, against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.

Holmes was pleased that the schedule provides an opportunity for Rattler fans to see the team grow. “We took our lumps and growing pains last year. That has fueled us in preparing to embark on the journey we set out to accomplish, which is to restore FAMU football to its rightful place, atop the MEAC. We look forward to playing five home games again and seven times in the state of Florida. I want to thank athletic director Michael Smith and the entire athletic department for putting together a solid schedule, We are going to do our best to make the Rattler nation proud of us on and off the field,” Holmes said.

2014 FAMU Football Schedule Release Opponent Date Location Series Record Time Jackson State Aug. 30 Jackson, Miss. 7-8-2 TBA Univ. of Miami Sept. 6 Miami, Fla. 1-8-0 TBA COASTAL CAROLINA SEPT. 20 Tallahassee, Fla. 0-0-0 TBA Tennessee St. Sept. 27 Nashville, Tenn. 24-28-0 TBA MORGAN ST. OCT. 4 Tallahassee, Fla. 20-6-0 TBA SAVANNAH ST. OCT. 11 Tallahassee, Fla. 6-0-0 TBA Howard Univ. Oct. 18 Washington D.C. 27-9-0 TBA N.C. A&T Oct. 25 Greensboro, NC 43-13-2 TBA NORFOLK ST. Nov. 1 Tallahassee, Fla. 13-1-0 TBA S.C. STATE Nov. 8 Tallahassee, Fla. 33-22-3 TBA Delaware St. Nov. 15 Dover, Del. 22-9-0 TBA Bethune-Cookman Nov. 22 Orlando, Fla. 48-18-1 TBA Home games in bold caps.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS