Live updates: FAMU football trails at UNC after first half following late interception

The Rattlers are opening their 2022 football season with their first game ever against the North Carolina Tar Heels. But they very nearly didn’t make it.

Florida A&M delayed their departure from Tallahassee after the NCAA told them more than 20 players were ineligible. One of those was Isaiah Land, last year’s Buck Buchanan award winner as the best defensive player in FCS.

FAMU head coach Willie Simmons said the team will have just seven offensive linemen available Saturday, a less than ideal situation against an ACC opponent.

The defense, one of the best in the nation, will have to hold up against UNC, who have a new quarterback in Drake Maye following the departure of the highly-decorated Sam Howell to the NFL.

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10:35 | FAMU trying to stick around, trails in third quarter

After a 1-yard touchdown by UNC running back Omarion Hampton, the Rattlers respond with a 35-yard field goal by Jose Romo-Martinez.

FAMU trails 35-17 with 7:41 to go in the third quarter.

9:57 | After score, then late interception, FAMU trails UNC at halftime 28-14

The Rattlers got into the endzone after Jaylen McCloud punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 12 play, 75-yard drive.

Team had the ball deep in its own territory before Moussa threw an interception to Storm Duck.

Tar Heels took advantage and scored on a pass from Maye to Josh Downs to conclude a five play, 21-yard drive.

Rattlers offensive linemen Bryan Crawford and Cesar Reyes have left the game with injuries.

9:22 | UNC makes it a two-possession game, leads 21-7

The Dark Cloud Defense had a chance to force a turnover on downs as it was backed into the redzone.

On 4th and goal, the Tar Heels decided to try their luck where it ended in a 12-yard touchdown from Maye to Gavin Blackwell in a 12 play, 83-yard drive.

Story continues

It is 7:39 left in the second quarter.

FAMU isn’t going anywhere, trails 21-14

Going three quarters of the field, FAMU handed the ball off to running back Jaylen McCloud for a five-yard touchdown.

The drive included a 4th and 13 conversion by the Rattlers as Moussa found Darian Oxendine.

How Moussa ended up starting: How new FAMU football starting quarterback Jeremy Moussa fits with team’s offensive attack

10:27 | FAMU falling behind early in third quarter

UNC received the ball first after halftime and took advantage of it.

Driving the ball 65 yards on seven plays, the Tar Heels’ first drive was finished by Omarion Hampton’s 1-yard run.

The Rattlers trail 35-14 with 12:10 left in the third quarter.

9:01 | FAMU trails UNC after first quarter, Moussa has solid start

Jeremy Moussa has responded to the pressure well.

In the first quarter of his first Division I start, he has a stat line of 11 of 15 completions, 98 yards, and a touchdown to running back AJ Davis.

Rattlers trail 14-7 after first quarter.

8:59 | UNC pulls ahead late in the first quarter, leads Rattlers 14-7

The Tar Heels responded to the Rattlers touchdown with one of their own.

Maye finds tight end Bryson Nesbit for a 23-yard touchdown to take the lead for UNC.

The drive was seven plays for 75 yards.

8:53 | Moussa and Davis gets their first touchdowns as Rattlers

Vanderbilt transfer quarterback Jeremy Moussa finds Pitt transfer running back AJ Davis for a 17 yard touchdown pass.

The Rattlers put together an eight play, 75 yard drive.

The game is tied at 7 with 2:16 left in the first quarter.

8:44 | UNC gets its first breakthrough, leads Rattlers 7-0 with 5:51 to go in first quarter

After not earning a first down in their first drive, the Tar Heels were fueled by a 42-yard scramble by quarterback Drake Maye.

On the following play, Maye found Lincoln alum Kamari Morales for a 19-yard touchdown pass.

8:29 | FAMU forces three and out on first drive

After pinning UNC within the 20-yard line, to the Dark Cloud Defense denied any first down attempts and forced the Tar Heels to punt.

8:19 | FAMU wins the toss.

FAMU has won the toss and will receive the ball first.

8:17 | Teams take the field

The FAMU and UNC teams have run out of the tunnel to get in a the last few warmups before the kickoff.

7:53 p.m. | Land and Bohler tandem OUT

The Dark Cloud Defense will be without its All-American defenders in 2021 Buck Buchanan winner and sack leader linebacker Isaiah Land and Preseason All-SWAC cornerback BJ Bohler.

Both players were subjects to being deemed ineligible for the game, which caused the team’s travels to be delayed by nearly seven hours.

7:50 Jackson State update

While FAMU is playing in Week 0, Jackson State wrapped up preseason practice Saturday.

The defending SWAC Champion Tigers face FAMU next Sunday, Sept. 4, in the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens on ESPN2 at 3 p.m.

According to Jackson State’s release Saturday, players battled for positioning on the depth chart.

“It was a great practice today,” Jackson State coach Deion Sanders said..

“We let a lot of the potential starters rest a little bit, and we practiced with some of the other guys and gave them quite a few more reps than they would normally get, just to allow them the opportunity to show what they have.”

Competition for roles has been a constant in the program, with battles intensifying during August in preparation for the season.

“We’re deep. That’s the problem,” Sanders said of the amount of talent on the team. “I love the problem that we have that we are deep. It’s a battle for several positions, and I love it. It’s a good position to be in.”

7:35 | HBCU Celebration game

FAMU has invited Rattler legend Rudy Hubbard to serve as its Honorary Captain.

A 2021 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Hubbard served as the head football coach at FAMU from 1974-85, compiling an 83-48-3 record. He led the Rattlers to two Black College Football National Championships and the Division I-AA (now FCS) national title in 1978. For all of his accomplishments, Hubbard was inducted into the FAMU Hall of Fame in 1990.

7:20 p.m. | Weather looks good

Unlike the Seminoles, it looks like the Rattlers will have a fairly docile night for weather. It’s currently 80 degrees in Chapel Hill, N.C. with partly cloudy skies.

Weather reports show little chance of precipitation, with temperatures falling into the mid-70s – a superb night for football.

Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Follow FAMU vs. North Carolina football with live updates, score