The defending Celebration Bowl champion Florida A&M began their quest for a back-to-back on a high note, defeating the Norfolk State Spartans 24-23 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
Here were the five biggest takeaways from that game.
Norfolk State’s run game set the tone early
Norfolk State did not take long putting the first points of the season on the board, scoring touchdowns on its first two drives to take a 14-0 lead.
Junior running back Kevon King got the scoring started on an 82-yard touchdown run to culminate the Spartans’ first offensive drive.
This set the tone for Norfolk State in the first half as they rushed for 201 yards on 25 attempts. For perspective, Norfolk State rushed for 200 yards just three times last year, needing a minimum of 45 carries on each occasion.
Was it something Norfolk State ate?
Norfolk State’s hot start was not the only story to begin this game, as a stomach bug ran through the Spartans and needed to be released.
Two Spartans players threw up in the first quarter, including King, who scored the game’s first touchdown.
Nearing the goal line on their second offensive drive, King threw up on the field and then ran to the sideline, holding his stomach to continue.
Thankfully, a Norfolk State staffer cleaned up the vomit before the Spartans scored their second touchdown.
Daniel Richardson uplifts the Rattlers
In the face of adversity, Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson put his team on his back, delivering a masterful performance worthy of being named the game’s MVP.
After completing only one of his first four pass attempts, Richardson got hot, completing 21 of his next 26 through three quarters and scoring three touchdowns to lead his team to victory.
The Florida Atlantic transfer showed why he was worthy of the hype given to him when he transferred to FAMU this offseason.
Should he continue to perform at a high level like he did tonight, there is no reason why the Rattlers shouldn’t repeat as SWAC champions.
SWAC is on a roll
Florida A&M’s win over Norfolk State marked the third straight win for the SWAC over the MEAC in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
This is the first time the SWAC has won three straight against the MEAC in this series. However, the MEAC still leads the series overall, holding a record of 11-7.
Since the MEAC/SWAC Challenge was first played in Center Parc Stadium in 2018, the series is split, with each team winning three games.
Next year, North Carolina Central and Southern will have the opportunity to break the tie.
Attendance milestone achieved
Though attendance for this year’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge was down slightly from last year’s, it was still a history-making crowd.
A total of 22,210 fans packed Center Parc Stadium for the first game of the HBCU football season, down slightly from 24,238 the previous year.
However, this marked the third year in a row the MEAC/SWAC Challenge drew a crowd of over 20,000, which has never been done in the game’s 19-year history.
This is the seventh time the MEAC/SWAC Challenge has seen an attendance of at least 20,000, including all three of Florida A&M’s appearances.
