‘Friday Night Strike’ was highly anticipated.
And it delivered.
Florida A&M football held its annual Orange and Green Spring Game on April 3, the team’s first public performance under head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.
It wrapped up the Rattlers’ 15 spring football camp practices, which began on Feb. 24.
“This was a culmination of spring for us,” Gray told the media after the spring game. “So, we wanted to make sure that what we’ve been seeing all spring is what it has truly been.”
The Rattlers’ offense, the Orange team, won the competitive three-quarter showcase over the defense, the Green team.
The final score was 25-24 before 3,112 fans on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
‘Friday Night Strike’ featured a unique scoring structure that rewarded explosive plays by offense and defense for forcing turnovers.
FAMU football has early fireworks led by QB Isaiah Knowles
FAMU’s Orange team ran three quarterbacks on Friday: Isaiah Knowles, Armond Parker, and James Hayes.
Knowles, a transfer from Albany State, started.
Under his leadership, the offense quickly demonstrated its up-tempo identity and ability to break big plays.
Knowles connected with running back Jamal Hailey for a 73-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Hailey sprinted past the Green team defenders and held up the ‘peace’ sign as he reached the endzone.
The touchdown counted for six points plus two more because it was an explosive play. That means it gained 20 or more yards.
So, the Orange team took an early 8-0 lead after the point after touchdown kick.
Another big play was a reception from Levontai ‘Bo’ Summersett in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, James Hayes had about a 15 or 20-yard touchdown pass to running back De’Roderick ‘DJ’ Hepburn, who impressed on Friday with his rushing and receiving.
“Getting the ball into the playmaker’s hands ― we were able to do that a couple of times this evening,” Gray said.
FAMU football’s defense resilient, defensive line stars
The game was getting away from the Rattlers’ defense, the Green team, early.
The defense trailed 25-10 midway through the second quarter.
Green had a collection of sacks, with defensive lineman Xavier Perkins leading with two. Albany State transfer Isaiah Morrison and Adrien Medine also got to the quarterbacks.
Defensive back Isiah Davis intercepted Knowles in the first quarter, earning the Rattlers’ Green team three points for forcing a turnover.
What brought Green back into the game was a late fumble when the Orange team quarterback, Parker, and a running back botched a handoff.
Defensive end Caden Brown recovered it for a touchdown. It counted as a nine-point play since it was a touchdown and a turnover forced.
“For us, it was about making it competitive and then also being able to keep the defense interested in the game,” Gray explained. “The scoring system we were able to come up with allowed us to do that.”
But time ran out for the defense.
FAMU football still a work in progress after spring
The Rattlers aren’t game-ready by any means.
A few deficiencies include dropped passes and defenders not wrapping up and finishing tackles.
FAMU also plans to add depth to its roster, with 88 players suiting up for the spring game: 49 on offense, 39 on defense, and nine special teamers.
Gray will hold closing staff meetings through Monday, April 6, to discuss the Rattlers’ needs as they enter the summer.
“It’s an evaluation period of what you have going into the next season,” Gray recapped spring football.
FAMU opens its 12-game regular season schedule on Aug. 29 when it faces hosts Gray’s former team, Albany State, at Bragg Stadium in Tallahassee.
Florida A&M football 2026 schedule
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football showcases big-play ability in competitive spring game
Reporting by Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
