Friday afternoon in Itta Bena delivered the kind of chaos that makes SWAC football beautiful and maddening all at once. Mississippi Valley State—1-10 coming in, averaging barely 17 points a game, riding a seven-game losing streak—just dropped 35 on Florida A&M in a shootout that had more lead changes than a New Orleans second line. The final:Mississippi Valley State 35, Florida A&M 31.
Yeah, you read that right. The Delta Devils, who got boat-raced 59-6 by Prairie View just last week, just beat FAMU for the second straight year. This wasn't supposed to happen. FAMU came to Itta Bena at 5-6, needing this win to finish .500 and exorcise the demons from last year's 24-21 home upset. Instead, the Rattlers finish 5-7, and Valley—now 2-10—gets to ride into the offseason with back-to-back wins over a program that's supposed to be better.
Let's be clear: This was a heavyweight slugfest where both offenses showed up ready to throw hands. The teams combined for 66 points, 641 total yards, and enough momentum swings to make your head spin.
When the Offense Shows Up But the Defense Takes a Nap
FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-34 passing, but his three interceptions—including two by Valley's Jamari Stokes—killed drives and handed the Delta Devils short fields. Meanwhile, running backs Thad Franklin Jr. (101 yards, one touchdown) and Jamal Hailey (74 yards, one touchdown on a gorgeous 45-yard scamper) did their part, but when your defense gives up 358 passing yards and seven touchdowns, you're fighting uphill all day.
And Valley? Brandon Nunez was surgical—28-of-47 for 331 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception. Wide receiver Mekhi Norris went off for 140 yards and a touchdown on eight catches, while Cameron Nelson added 55 yards and a score. The Delta Devils found an offensive identity when it mattered most, converting on third downs and making FAMU's secondary look pedestrian.
This game had everything: FAMU jumped out 7-0 on Hailey's 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Valley answered with back-to-back touchdown drives in the second to take a 14-7 lead. The Rattlers clawed back to tie it 14-14 on a 30-yard RJ Johnson-to-Ace Cobb strike, then grabbed a 17-14 halftime lead on a Daniel Porto 35-yard field goal.
The Fourth Quarter: Where Championships Are Won and Seasons End
The fourth quarter was pure chaos. FAMU extended the lead to 24-14 early in the third on a Franklin touchdown, but Valley wasn't done. Nunez led the Devils on an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by his own four-yard rushing touchdown to cut it to 24-21.
Then came the fireworks. With 14:53 left in the fourth, Mekhi Norris—who'd been a thorn in FAMU's side all day—threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Nelson to give Valley a 27-24 lead. Think about that: Valley's wide receiver throwing touchdowns. That's HBCU football at its finest—coaches pulling out every trick in the book.
FAMU responded immediately, going 48 yards in three plays, with Kenari Wilcher hauling in a 34-yard touchdown from Johnson to retake the lead 31-28. But the Rattlers' defense couldn't get a stop when they needed it most. Valley marched 58 yards in five plays, and Nunez hit Norris for a nine-yard touchdown with 10:13 remaining to give the Delta Devils a 35-31 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
FAMU had chances. Two more possessions. But Johnson threw his third interception—this one to Dante Kelly on a desperation heave—and Valley ran out the clock.
What This Means for the SWAC
For Valley, this win is validation. Yes, they finish 2-10, but beating FAMU twice in two years gives this program something to build on. Coach Vincent Dancy can point to this game as proof his team can compete when they execute.
For FAMU, this is a gut punch. Finishing 5-7 with losses to Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State in back-to-back weeks is unacceptable for a program with championship aspirations. The Rattlers were supposed to be East Division contenders—instead, they're heading into the offseason with major questions about consistency, discipline, and killer instinct.
Valley's Blueprint: How the Delta Devils Stole It
1. Brandon Nunez managed the game of his life. 28-of-47 for 331 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing score—that's a Heisman performance against a defense that was supposed to dominate. Nunez spread the ball around, stayed composed under pressure, and made clutch throws when Valley needed them.
2. The defense created turnovers at critical moments. Jamari Stokes picked off RJ Johnson twice, including the game-sealing interception late in the fourth. Dante Kelly added another pick. When you force three turnovers against a team that should be better, you give yourself a chance.
3. Valley attacked FAMU's secondary relentlessly. Mekhi Norris (140 yards, one TD), Cameron Nelson (55 yards, one TD), and Christian White (76 yards, one TD) exposed FAMU's defensive backs over and over. The Rattlers had no answers in coverage, and Valley exploited every mismatch.
FAMU's Fatal Flaws: Where the Rattlers Lost This Game
1. Three interceptions. Three. RJ Johnson is a talented quarterback, but you can't throw three picks and expect to win. Period. Stokes returned one for 20 yards, and the turnovers handed Valley short fields and momentum at the worst possible times.
2. The secondary got torched. Valley came in averaging 17 points per game. They hung 35 on FAMU. Brandon Nunez threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns, carving up a Rattlers defense that was supposed to feast on a mistake-prone offense. FAMU's defensive backs couldn't cover, couldn't tackle, and couldn't make plays when it mattered.
3. No killer instinct. FAMU led 24-14 in the third quarter and should have put Valley away. Instead, they let the Delta Devils hang around, and in a shootout, that's death. The Rattlers couldn't get a stop in the fourth quarter—two Valley touchdown drives sealed FAMU's fate.
This one stings for FAMU. You can't lose to Mississippi Valley State two years in a row and call yourself a contender. Valley, meanwhile, gets to celebrate spoiling the Rattlers' season—again. That's HBCU football: unpredictable, emotional, and always entertaining.
Coach Colzie, the offseason starts now. Fix the secondary. Protect your quarterback. And for the love of Bragg Memorial Stadium, figure out how to close games.
