FAMU vs. NC A&T preview

KICK-OFF: Saturday, November 5, 2011, 6 p.m.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: FAMU and North Carolina A&T are both in the middle of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rankings with 3-2 records. A Saturday win will go a long way toward helping either team keep its title hopes alive.

Bethune-Cookman and Hampton are also 3-2. South Carolina State is 4-2. Norfolk State and Morgan State are 5-1 and 4-1, respectively.

THE SERIES HISTORY: This will be Rattlers and the Aggies' 58th meeting on the field of battle with FAMU leading the series 42-13-2. The first time these two teams met was during the 1938 season with FAMU winning 13-0 over N.C. A&T. FAMU has posted a 15-game win streak in the series from 1952 to 1967 with FAMU and N.C. A&T fighting to a 7-7 draw in 1951. The Aggies would snap the 15-game win streak with a 9-6 over the Rattlers in 1968 season.

RATTLERS RANKED NATIONALLY: FAMU's leads the Football Championship Subdivision and Football Bowl Subdivision in passes intercepted (18). Jerral Stewart and John Ojo are tied for eighth in FCS for interceptions; Terry Johnson ranks 23 in FCS in interceptions. Lavante Page ranks 10 in FCS in scoring.


RATTLERS RANKED IN THE MEAC: FAMU Ranks first in the following categories in the MEAC: interceptions (18); Red zone offense (93.9); Red zone defense (68.0); Kickoff coverage (44.1 yards per game); PAT kicking percentage (1.000); Time of Possession per game (32:45); Third-down conversions (41.4); The Rattlers rank second in Scoring Offense (29.9); Rushing defense (135.6); Ranks third in: Passing offense (219.2); Sacks (23 -112 yards); Opp third-down conversions (33.0); Fourth-down conversions (50.0); Ranks fourth in Pass Defense Efficiency (108.9; Sacks against (15-97 yards); Turnover margin per game (.75); Ranks fifth in Pass Efficiency (122.4); Punt return avg. (8.3); Field goals percentage (.700); Tied for fifth in on-side kicks by (0.0); Ranks sixth in Total Offense (327.9); Opponents in First Downs (20.8); Ranks seventh in First Downs per game (17.1); Ranks eighth in Scoring Defense (26.9); Rushing offense (108.6); Kick returns yards per game (19.0); Punting (31.5); Ranks ninth in penalties (96.8); Tied for ninth in on-side kicks against (100.00) Ranks 11th in passing defense (241.8).