Just the Facts! FAMU football at North Carolina gameday preview

Game Information

Who: Florida A&M (0-0) at North Carolina (0-0)

When/Where: Saturday, at 8:15 p.m. inside of Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, N.C.

Broadcast/Radio: ACC Network, Rattler Sports Network

Florida A&M University coach Willie Simmons looks on during fall training camp, Aug. 18, 2022

The basics

Saturday will be the first time ever for Florida A&M versus North Carolina on Saturday at 8.p.m. via the ACC Network.

FAMU football took the nearly nine hour road trip by air to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina. The FCS Rattlers will have to play the spoiler role in defeating the ACC opponent in unknown territory.

The last time FAMU football defeated a Power 5 opponent was Miami in 1979, knocking off the Hurricanes 16-13 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Saturday will begin the fourth season in the Willie Simmons era where he is one victory short of a quarter century with a 24-10 record since 2018.

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Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) celebrates during a game between FAMU and Grambling State University at Bragg Memorial Stadium on FAMU’s homecoming Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

On a big stage

Simmons called Saturday’s opener a ‘get-money game,’ downplaying the $450,000 payout that FAMU will receive.

FAMU football will have the eyes on the nation on them as it will perform in the nightcap for the ACC Network contest at North Carolina at 8:15 p.m.

This will be the one of FAMU’s eight of 11 games that will be broadcasted — up from six in 2021.

Jeremy Moussa will quarterback the Rattlers for his first ever Division I start at UNC on Saturday.

“Me and my family’s very excited,” Moussa said. “We’ve been waiting on this opportunity for a long time.

“I’m glad that I got it, but mindset doesn’t really change. I expect to come in and do my job to lead our team the best that I can to let everyone know this is just another game.”

Florida A&M University quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) drops back for a pass during Orange and Green Spring Game, April 9, 2022

Wide receiver Xavier Smith and the rest of the ‘RAC Boyz 2.0’ will need to be of Moussa’s best interest to guide him in his first start against an All-ACC defensive back Cam’Ron Kelly.

Story continues

Wide receiver Jah’Marae Sheread is a game-time decision as he returned to practice on Tuesday from a fractured left foot.

The Dark Cloud Defense will be without reigning Buck Buchanan winner and Division I sack champion as Isaiah Land due to eligibility issues as it face 2021’s No. 3 ACC offense in the Tar Heels.

UNC has a new quarterback in redshirt freshman Drake Maye, but he’ll have his main target Josh Downs who is projected to go within the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Downs is one of the top receivers in the country,” Simmons said. “He’s a dynamic player and has the same impact for Carolina that Xavier Smith has for us.”

“You have to know where (Downs) is to neutralize him because they do a great job of moving him around and getting him touches.”

The Tar Heels are a little dinged up. Running back British Brooks will miss the season with a lower body injury, and second option wide receiver Antoine Green is out for a few weeks after collarbone surgery.

Florida A&M Rattlers linebacker Nadarius Fagan (27) waits for the snap during a game between FAMU and Grambling State University at Bragg Memorial Stadium on FAMU’s homecoming Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

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Who wins? Why?

It’ll be an opportunity for Rattler players to coaches to show off their prowess against a Power 5 opponent in UNC.

Last season when the Rattlers played at USF in Week 3, they faltered 38-17 in Tampa. With this being a week 0 game, expect a little period of sloppy play for both teams as they get their legs under them.

As HBCU’s are celebrated at Chapel Hill with Division I-AA National Champion in former FAMU coach Rudy Hubbard and the Marching ‘100’ in attendance, the Rattlers will make an effort to make this contest more competitive than what some may think.

Facing a hobbled and new-look UNC offense, the Dark Cloud Defense can use that to its advantage.

The Rattlers may also experience a bit of lag as they miss 20 players and only have seven active offensive linemen to open the season as Moussa adapts to the FBS opponent.

Final Score: UNC 34, FAMU 13

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

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Gameday evaluation of season opener at North Carolina