Florida A&M defeats Norfolk State to win the 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
FAMU Outlasts Norfolk St, wins MEAC/SWAC Challenge, 24-23 🐍
Florida A&M won the 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, defeating Norfolk State 24-23. The Rattlers have now won back-to-back games in the city of Atlanta, becoming the first team to finish the season with a Celebration Bowl victory and start the season with a MEAC/SWAC Challenge win.
Click or tap here for final stats from the game.
It was a second-half surge for the Rattlers after trailing 14-10 at halftime. Florida A&M's once porous run defense allowing 191 rushing yards in the first half only allowed 36 rushing yards in the second half. With the run defense sured up, the Rattlers got off the field and allowed the offense to cook up some drives. In his first start in the orange and green, Daniel Richardson found Jamari Gassett twice in the second half for scores. The second half rally gives new FAMU head coach James Colzie III his first win.
With Florida A&M's win, the MEAC's lead in the challenge is reduced to 11-7. The SWAC has won the last three games in the series. Florida A&M now has wins on both sides of the series, previously winning back in 2013 when it was in the MEAC.
Click or tap here to see some of the all-time best MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments
Future MEAC/SWAC Challenge games are North Carolina Central vs. Southern (2025), Alabama A&M vs. Howard (2026) and South Carolina State vs. Alabama State (2027).
| Year | Winner | Opponent | score | site | attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | South Carolina State (MEAC) | Alabama State (SWAC) | 27-14 | Birmingham, AL (Legion Field) |
18,452 |
| 2006 | Hampton (MEAC) | Grambling State (SWAC) | 27-26 (OT) | Birmingham, AL (Legion Field) |
19,174 |
| 2007 | Southern (SWAC) | Florida A&M (MEAC) | 33-27 | Birmingham, AL (Legion Field) |
30,106 |
| 2008 | Hampton (MEAC) | Jackson State (SWAC) | 17-13 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
10,723 |
| 2009 | South Carolina State (MEAC) | Grambling State (SWAC) | 34-31 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
21,367 |
| 2010 | Southern (SWAC) | Delaware State (MEAC) | 37-27 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
16,327 |
| 2011 | Bethune-Cookman (MEAC) | Prairie View A&M (SWAC) | 63-14 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
17,337 |
| 2012 | Bethune-Cookman (MEAC) | Alabama State (SWAC) | 38-28 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
17,410 |
| 2013 | Florida A&M (MEAC) | Mississippi Valley State (SWAC) | 27-10 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
24,376 |
| 2014 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | Alabama A&M (SWAC) | 47-13 | Orlando, FL (Bright House Networks Stadium) |
8,210 |
| 2015 | South Carolina State (MEAC) | Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC) | 35-7 | Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) |
7,257 |
| 2017 | Southern (SWAC) | South Carolina State (MEAC) | 14-8 | Baton Rouge, LA (Ace W. Mumford Stadium) |
10,006 |
| 2018 | Prairie View A&M (SWAC) | North Carolina Central (MEAC) | 40-24 | Atlanta, GA (Georgia State Stadium) |
10,274 |
| 2019 | Bethune-Cookman (MEAC) | Jackson State (SWAC) | 36-15 | Atlanta, GA (Georgia State Stadium) |
23,333 |
| 2021 | North Carolina Central (MEAC) | Alcorn State (SWAC) | 23-14 | Atlanta, GA (Center Parc Stadium) |
15,215 |
| 2022 | Alabama State (SWAC) | Howard (MEAC) | 23-12 | Atlanta, GA (Center Parc Stadium) |
21,088 |
| 2023 | Jackson State (SWAC) | South Carolina State (MEAC) | 37-7 | Atlanta, GA (Center Parc Stadium) |
24,238 |
| 2024 | Florida A&M (SWAC) | Norfolk State (MEAC) | 24-23 | Atlanta, GA (Center Parc Stadium) |
22,210 |
- 2016's game between South Carolina State and Southern, scheduled for Daytona Beach, FL., was ruled a no contest due to inclement weather.
- 2020's game between Grambling State and South Carolina State, scheduled for Atlanta, GA., was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2022's game was called in the fourth quarter after weather delays.
🔰 Spartans show fight! FAMU 24, NSU 23 | 4Q — 6:29
Norfolk State's Jacquez Jones caught a 41-yard pass on Florida A&M's Jameel Sanders to set up what could've been a game-tying touchdown from running back Kevin King. But chaos ensued there after.
Norfolk State's special teams got bailed out after it had an extra point that was blocked called back after an offsides penalty on Florida A&M.
However, instead of re-kicking the ball, the Spartans used the one-yard bonus it was granted after the penalty to go for two. On the conversion attempt, NSU quarterback Jalen Daniels got tackled for a loss, leaving the Spartans down one point late in the fourth quarter.
𝗡𝗢 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗!
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
The Dark Cloud Defense stops the 2-point conversion attempt!
FAMU - 24
NSU - 23
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Turnover! 4Q — 11:31
The first turnover of the 2024 HBCU football has happened. Running back Kelvin Dean Jr. fumbled the ball in Norfolk State territory, with the ball being recovered by Levontae Jacobs. The Spartans will have the ball down seven points in the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter: Florida A&M 24, Norfolk State 17
Florida A&M enters the final quarter with the ball at its own 24-yard line, leading by seven points. The Rattlers appear to be winning a war of attrition, wearing down the Norfolk State offensive line defensively, and pushing the pace against the Spartan defense.
See complete stats through three quarters here and team stats below.
🐍 Rattlers strike again! FAMU 24, NSU 17 | 3Q — 3:27
Florida A&M capped off an 11-play drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Richardson to Jamari Gassett, the duo's second connection in the endzone today. Richardson bought time with his legs before delivering a strike in the back of the endzone to his all-conference wideout.
Norfolk State continues to load up to stop the run, leaving their all-conference cornerback tandem on islands.
DJ D. Rich finds Gassett for six…AGAIN!
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
FAMU - 24
NSU - 17
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🔰 Tie game! NSU 17, FAMU 17 | 3Q — 9:04
Kam'ryn Thomas beat man coverage on a skinny post, resulting in a 49-yard catch. That's the longest reception of the day for Norfolk State, and it set up a 29-yard field goal attempt from Grandin Willcox to tie the game at 17.
🐍 Rattlers take the lead! FAMU 17, NSU 14 | 3Q — 12:37
Just when it seemed like Norfolk State's all-conference cornerback Terron Mallory was having a quiet day, Florida A&M attacked him with a double-move. Quarterback Daniel Richardson threw his longest pass as a Rattler so far, hitting Jamari Gassett for a 55-yard touchdown pass.
SORRY FOUR, TOO SLOW ✌️
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
D. Rich connects with Jamari Gassett for a 55-yard touchdown!
FAMU - 17
NSU - 14
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Halftime: Norfolk State 14, Florida A&M 10
After a blistering pace in the first half, Norfolk State's offense cooled off in the second quarter. The Spartans had trouble executing a field goal attempt during its lone drive into Florida A&M territory. The Spartans haven't needed the passing game yet, only throwing the ball four times so far to 29 rush attempts.
Florida A&M's offense is picking up steam as the new faces get more and more snaps most notably, quarterback Daniel Richardson. He leads the team with 24 rushing yards while completing 60 percent of his passes.
See complete first-half stats here and team stats below.
🐍 Rattlers add three! NSU 14, FAMU 10 | 2Q — 11:02
A short five-play drive set up by a 39-yard kick return from Jamari Gassett led to a 33-yard field goal from Florida A&M kicker Cameron Gillis.
Second quarter: Norfolk State 14, Florida A&M 7
The first quarter of the first HBCU football game of 2024 is in the books! Norfolk State leads Florida A&M 14-7 after dominating on the ground. The Spartans have run the ball at will in the first half, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. The Rattlers have struggled with their run fits and a lack of an ability to stop the run has led Norfolk State to only pass the ball twice.
Meanwhile, Florida A&M's offense appears to have found its groove, scoring right before the quarter ended.
See first quarter stats below.
🐍 Rattlers get on the board! NSU 14, FAMU 0 | 1Q — 0:55
Florida A&M scored its first touchdown of 2024 with a wheel route to running back Thad Franklin Jr. The running back looked wide-receiver-eqsue, catching the ball over a crowd of defenders and falling into the endzone.
The 20-yard score caps off a fast seven-play drive that took a little less than three minutes.
TOUCHDOWN RATTLERS!
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
Daniel Richardson connects with Thad Franklin for the first touchdown of the new season.
FAMU - 7
NSU - 14
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🔰 Spartans find pay dirt! NSU 14, FAMU 0 | 1Q — 3:49
Norfolk State drove the ball 73 yards in 12 plays to score its second rushing touchdown of the day.This time it was quarterback Jalen Daniels up the middle on a quarterback sneak, finding the endzone.
Every positive play on the latest Spartan drive was a run play. Norfolk State has ran for 147 yards so far... it's still the first quarter.
. player throws up the pre-game meal.
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Next play - Touchdown Norfolk State
Literally straight out of the playbook
🔰 Norfolk State scores fast! NSU 7, FAMU 0 | 1Q — 13:18
It only took Norfolk State three plays into its 2024 season to score its first touchdown. Running back Kevon King took a third down handoff 82 yards to the house to score the first points of the 2024 HBCU football season.
's Kevon King has an early reservation for 6! This 82 yard TD run is the longest of his career, and puts the Spartans up by a touchdown
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Florida A&M names starting QB
Florida A&M named FAU transfer quarterback Daniel Richardson the starting quarterback ahead of the first game of the 2024 season — the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Norfolk State. Richardson won a battle over 2023 backup quarterback Junior Muratovic and Richardson will fill the shoes of 2023 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Jeremy Moussa.
𝗤𝗕𝟭 | | |
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
Norfolk State makes QB change
Norfolk State will open the 2024 season with a new starting quarterback. Preseason First-Team All-MEAC quarterback Otto Kuhns will not play and Jalen Daniels will replace him under center.