By james art 
Florida A&M football hosted homecoming and defeated Texas Southern 52-28 for a Week 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup. The Rattlers travel to Prairie View A&M next Saturday.
(This story has been updated to add additional information.)
Saturday was a happy homecoming for Florida A&M football.
The Rattlers (5-3, 3-1 in SWAC) hosted and defeated Texas Southern (3-5, 2-3 in SWAC) 52-28 in a Week 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Bragg Memorial Stadium’s Ken Riley Field .
FAMU outgained Texas Southern 531-164 before a sellout Bragg Stadium crowd of 23,271. FAMU never trailed Texas Southern throughout the game.
Saturday was also the Rattlers’ 23rd straight home win, the second-longest active home streak in the Football Championship Subdivision.
“I’m excited about the homecoming win. I know a lot of people go home happy,” FAMU head coach James Colsey III said.
“I still have work to do. We will cherish the victory.”
Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson led FAMU to victory, completing 25 of 33 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns against two interceptions.
FAMU’s offense turned in a high-scoring performance at home against Texas Southern
FAMU’s offense scored its first 50-point performance of the 2019 season.
Twelve different receivers caught passes for the Rattlers. Richardson’s five touchdown passes went to different players — Jeremiah Pruitt, Jaylen Ward, Kelvin Dean Jr., Kobe Gross and Quan Lee.
Pruitte, a tight end, led all FAMU receivers with six receptions for 60 yards. FAMU wide receiver Jaylen Ward also had 60 receiving yards on four catches.
“JP Pruitte battled all year and his hard work showed,” Colzie said.
FAMU’s rushing attack also had its best performance of the season, rushing 26 times for 236 yards (6.6 yards per carry). Beau Somerset led the running backs with six attempts for 75 yards. Dean added nine attempts for 62 yards.
Thad Franklin Jr. had 10 carries for 57 yards and the Rattlers’ first rushing touchdown of the season.
“The run helps the pass and the pass helps the run. It’s complementary football,” Richardson said.
FAMU football defense besieged Texas Southern
FAMU’s defense stymied Texas Southern for the most part.
Texas Southern had just seven first downs compared to FAMU’s 25.
FAMU held Texas Southern quarterback Jace Wilson to five of 13 completions for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Texas Southern running back Quintel Quinn had 15 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.
“We mixed up some things and it’s obvious,” Colsey said. “They made some plays and made some things happen.”
Texas Southern’s offense scored three touchdowns in the second half, with quarterback Wilson connecting with receiver Donald McKinney twice. Texas Southern running back Quinn scored an eight-yard touchdown on the Rattlers.
The Rattlers sacked Texans quarterback Wilson four times, with James Ash, Ny’Ron Jenkins, James Gardner and Clyde Pinder.
FAMU linebacker Jordan Cumberbatch added an interception for the Rattlers.
FAMU and Texas Southern have some electric games at the expense of others
It was exciting football from FAMU and Texas Southern.
Most notably, it happened in a 12-second span in the third quarter.
FAMU kick returner Robert Lockhart had a 91-yard run. Then Texas South’s Chaunzavia Lewis immediately answered with a 90-yard punt return.
“I’m happy for Robert Lockhart, week in and week out, putting in the effort, and then he gets a chance to show everyone in the stands what he’s all about,” Colsey said.
Gerald Thomas III is an award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and reach him by email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.