FAMU Rattlers Show New Offense And Defense In Spring Game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Spring Football Game went to the Offense, which edged past the Defense, 28-22 in Saturday’s wrap up to the 15 days of spring training under new head coach Alex Wood and his staff.

Redshirt junior quarterback Carson Royal (Yulee, Fla.) got most the snaps with the first team and it showed, as he completed 13 of 19 passes for 215 yards and a pair of scoring strikes – a 70-yarder to Montavious Williams (Tallahassee, Fla.) for the game’s first score, and a 28-yard completion to junior Jairockeis Jones (Bartow, Fla.) near the end of the session.

Jacksonville junior quarterback Davonte Austin, was 8 of 12 for 87 yards and a score, tossing a 10-yard aerial to wideout Victor Love (Orlando, Fla.) for the game’s second score.

Overall, the offensive squad rolled up 343 passing yards and another 153 yards on the ground, as sophomore Gerald Hearns (West Palm Beach, Fla.) led all rushers with 59 yards on 18 carries, followed by Ronald Ricci (Sarasota, Fla.) with 32 yards on 10 tries, Terrence Nelson with 29 yards on seven carries and Tysean Holloway (Asheville, N.C.), who ran for 19 yards on two carries before exiting with an injury.

Brandon Norwood (Atlanta, Ga.) led all receivers with six catches for 45 yards, followed by Tra’Won Holmes (Tallahassee) with five catches for 78 yards, Kareem Smith (Haines City, Fla.) with three receptions for 44 yards and Montavious Williams with two for 81 yards.

The FAMU Defense, which accounted for its points using a scoring system for three-and-outs, sacks and turnovers, was paced bvy end Daikwon Fuse (West Palm Beach, Fla.) who had two of the unit’s seven quarterback sacks.

FAMU SPRING GAME STATISTICS BRIEFS

FINAL SCORE: Offense 28, Defense 22

RUSHING LEADERS: 30-Gerald Hearns, 18 carries, 59 yards; 24-Ronald Ricci, 10 carries, 32 yards; 32-Terrence Nelson, 7 carries, 29 yards, 20-Tysean Holloway, 2 carries 19 yards.

PASSING LEADERS: 12-Carson Royal, 13-of-19, 215 yards, 2 TDs; 1-Devonte Austin, 8-of-12, 87 yards, 1 TD; 8-Kenneth Coleman, 6-of-9, 41 yards, 0 TD.

RECEIVING LEADERS: 7-Brandon Norwood, 6 for 45 yards; 2-Tra’Von Holmes, 5 for 78 yards; 19-Kareen Smith, 3 for 44 yards; 24-Ronald Ricci, 3 for 15 yards; 15-Montavious Williams, 2 for 81 yards, 1 TD.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (QB Sacks): 94-Daikwon Fuse (2 sacks); 46-Calvin Darville; 47-Akil Blount; 59-Trevor Bone; 92-Michael Lovejoy; 97-John Archambault (1 sack each).

SCORING SUMMARY (Offense)

Carson Royal 70 pass to Montavious Wiliams (Colby Blanton PAT)

Devonte Austin 10 pass to Victor Love (Corey Irwin PAT)

Ronald Ricci 2 yard run (Irwin PAT)

Carson Royal 28 pass to Jairockeis Jones (Irwin PAT)

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION