MIAMI GARDENS – The 2023 Denny’s Orange Blossom Classic between Florida A&M and Jackson State was decided on the game’s very first play.
At the 14:49 mark of the first quarter, FAMU graduate wide receiver Marcus Riley received a 96-yard kickoff return and took it straight to the house for a score. With an extra point by kicker Cameron Gillis, the score was 7-0 in favor of FAMU.
Not long after that, we got an offensive scoring drive from FAMU. Coming off a Jackson State Tigers missed field goal, the Rattlers ran off a 58-yard march to the end zone that took only eight plays to accomplish.
FAMU graduate quarterback Jeremy Moussa connected with redshirt junior wide receiver Trevonte Davis in the middle of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass.
With a second extra point from Gillis, the Rattlers extended their lead to 14-0 over the Tigers at the 10:25 mark of the first quarter.
Later in the first quarter, we got a sack and fumble recovery by defensive lineman Anthony Dunn Jr., who got FAMU to the Jackson State 15-yard at the 6:48 mark.
A few plays later, we got a third touchdown of the first frame from FAMU.
How did it happen?
From the Jackson State 5-yard line, Jeremy Moussa hits wide receiver Jah’Marae Sheread for an easy touchdown pass.
From there, we got a third extra point from Gillis, who extended FAMU’s lead to 21-0 with 5:34 left in the first quarter.
Other than that, the only notable play for either team was a third down sacks and tackle for loss of 10 yards by Dunn Jr.
The first quarter ended with FAMU leading 21-0 over Jackson State.
To make this as succinct as possible, we will say that the second quarter action happened on one FAMU drive.
Here is how the Rattlers extended their lead to
28-0 over the Tigers.
With 5:55 left in the second quarter, we got a diving 3-yard touchdown run from FAMU redshirt junior running Jaquez Yant. After the scoring run, Yant performed his own dance in the end zone as he celebrated this moment with his teammates.
A fourth extra point by Gillis secured the 28-point lead for FAMU at that point.
The scoring drive for FAMU was for four plays and 38 yards.
Other than this score, not much notable action was going on from there until halftime.
After the first half ended and the second half began, it was mostly about Jackson State.
Here is how Jackson State earned its way on the scoreboard.
Toward the end of the third frame, the Tigers used the game clock to its advantage. They reeled off a 17-play, 71-yard drive that resulted in a short 24-yard field goal made by Gerardo Baeza.
The Jackson State drive that took a little more than eight minutes off the clock in the third quarter resulted in FAMU’s lead being cut to 28-3.
Shortly after the third quarter ended, we got a long pass play that resulted in another score for Jackson State.
At the 13:51 mark of the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Zy McDonald fired off a 66-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Rico Powers.
With a second extra point by Baeza, Jackson State cut FAMU’s lead to 28-10.
This scoring drive was for three plays, 76 yards, and one full minute.
Other than Jackson State blocking a FAMU field at the 10:27 mark of the fourth quarter, there was nothing else to note.
FINAL RESULT: FAMU earned its first win over Jackson in the three-year run of the Denny’s Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium. It is now 1-2 against Jackson State in this setting, which includes a 7-6 loss in 2021 and the 59-3 loss in 2022.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chuck Bethel
