Florida A&M football entered the 2024 season with a new head coach and a new starting quarterback. But the Rattlers’ expectations have not changed.

FAMU opened against Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Saturday in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. on ABC and came away with a 24-23 victory.

James Colzie replaced Willie Simmons, who led the program to its first SWAC and Celebration Bowl championships in school history last season and was then hired as the running backs coach at Duke. Daniel Richardson won a tightly-contested quarterback battle in the preseason to replace SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Jeremy Moussa.

Watch FAMU vs Norfolk State live with Fubo (free trial)

FAMU entered on an 11-game win streak, tops in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and is ranked No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Rattlers lead the series against Norfolk State 13-3 and won the last meeting 30-28 in 2019. FAMU went 12-1 last season; Norfolk State 3-8.

Norfolk State vs FAMU football score updates

FAMU football highlights

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QB Daniel Richardson enjoys solid debut in FAMU's comeback win

Transfer quarterback Daniel Richardson directed Florida A&M to an exciting 24-23 victory over Norfolk State Saturday in Atlanta. Richardson helped the Rattlers rally from an early 14-point deficit and FAMU's defense settled in after being dominated on the ground by the Spartans in the opening quarter.

Richardson completed 22 of 30 passes for 286 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and was not sacked. He also rushed for 32 yards. Receiver Jamari Gassett had eight receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. FAMU defensive backs Andre Powell (8), Deco Wilson (8) and Kendall Bohler (7) combined on 23 tackles.

FAMU finished with 403 total yards, 267 in the second half. The Rattlers also ran out the game's final six minutes on the clock after it stopped Norfolk State's two-point conversion attempt for the lead. With the win, the Rattlers extended their nation’s second-longest winning streak to 12 games.

FAMU opens its home schedule Saturday versus South Carolina State at 6 p.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

FAMU football opener vs. Norfolk State heads for exciting finish

It was Norfolk State's turn to respond. Following a FAMU turnover, the Spartans drove 73 yards on nine plays and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by Kelvin King. After FAMU was whistled for offsides on Norfolk State's blocked point-after attempt, the Spartans opted to go for two and the lead. However, Jalen Daniels two-point conversion run was stopped short. FAMU leads 24-23 with 6:29 left in the game.

Promising drive from FAMU vs. Norfolk State ends with turnover

Looking to extend its advantage, FAMU's Kelvin Dean fumbled at the end of a 7-yard gain at the Norfolk State 29. The fumble was forced by Levontae Jacobs and recovered by Eric Ivory at the 11:31 mark in the fourth quarter. The Rattlers had marched 53 yards on seven plays before suffering their first turnover of the game.

Florida A&M leads Norfolk State 24-17 heading into 4th quarter in Atlanta

The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge in entering the fourth quarter. FAMU, which rallied from an early 14-0 deficit in the first quarter, leads Norfolk State 24-17. Transfer quarterback Daniel Richardson has ignited the Rattlers, completing 18-of-25 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. He also leads FAMU in rushing with 32 yards. FAMU safety Deco Wilson leads the defense with eight tackles.

FAMU's combo of Richardson-Gassett strikes again vs Norfolk State

Quarterback Daniel Richardson and receiver Jamari Gassett struck again.

A scrambling Richardson found Gassett in the end-zone corner for a 9-yard score to lift the Rattlers back in the lead, 24-17, with 3:27 left in the third quarter. The pass-and-catch capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Gassett has caught six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

After registering 136 total yards in the first half, the Rattlers have 152 yards (10.1 yards per play) in the third quarter. Additionally, three of FAMU's four scoring drives have been 75-plus yards.

Former FAMU coach Willie Simmons pulling for Rattlers vs Norfolk State

Willie Simmons is watching Saturday's game, too.

Simmons, who led FAMU to the HBCU national championship last season and was hired as Duke's running backs coach last January, posted his support for the Rattlers on social media. His Facebook post said:

Let's Go FAMU!!!

Beat Norfolk St.!!!

#FAMULY

#GameTime

#Colzie Era

Norfolk State responds with field goal, ties game with Florida A&M

The Spartans and Rattlers are tied at 17-17 in the third quarter following Norfolk State's Grandin Willcox's 29-yard field goal at the 9:04 mark. The scoring drive covered 63 yards on six plays, and the field goal snapped FAMU's streak of 17 unanswered points.

Florida A&M strikes 1st in second take to take lead over Norfolk State

Make that 17 unanswered points. The Rattlers opened the second half with a bang, as quarterback Daniel Richardson connected on 55-yard scoring pass to an open Jamari Gassett down the sideline. The pass-and-catch lifted FAMU to its first lead of the game at 17-14 at the 12:37 mark in the third quarter. The Rattlers have scored on three of the their last five drives. After allowing Spartan scores on their first two possessions of the game, FAMU's defense has forced two punts and held FAMU on downs.

Florida A&M trails Norfolk State at the half in Atlanta

After falling behind 14-0 and being overpowered by Norfolk State's rushing attack, the Rattlers scored 10 consecutive points and pulled within 14-10 at the half. The Spartans outgained FAMU 224-136, including 191-30 on the ground. FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson completed 9 of 15 passes for 106 yards and was also the Rattlers' leading rusher with 24 yards. Kevon King led Norfolk State's attack with 123 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Actor Tyrese Gibson on the sideline at the FAMU-Norfolk State game

Actor and R&B singer Tyrese Gibson is attending the game and did an on-field interview with ABC late in the second quarter. Though Gibson was on the Norfolk State sideline, he smiled and whispered he was pulling for Florida A&M. Gibson also plugged his upcoming action film '1992.' Set for release in theatres on Aug. 30, the film, produced by Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures, also stars Scott Eastwood and showcases one of the final on-screen performances of late star Ray Liotta.

Norfolk State misses scoring chance on fumbled snap vs Rattlers

The Spartans missed a scoring chance on bobbled snap on a 37-yard field goal attempt late in the second quarter.

FAMU PK Cameron Gillis makes FG to slice deficit vs. Norfolk State

Cameron Gillis drilled a 33-yard field goal to slice Norfolk State’s lead to 14-10 at the 11:02 mark in the second quarter. Jamari Gassett played a key role in the scoring drive, returning a punt 39 yards and catching a 28-yard pass.

FAMU, Richardson answer; Rattlers pull within 14-7 to end first quarter

The Rattlers answered the Spartans to end the first quarter. FAMU marched 75 yards with transfer quarterback Daniel Richardson making plays with his legs and right arm. Richardson capped the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Thad Franklin Jr. to slice Norfolk State's lead to 14-7. The score was setup by a 27-yard completion to Koby Gross and a 17-yard keeper from Richardson.

Norfolk State relying on powerful ground game vs. Florida A&M

FAMU's defense was stingy against the rush last season. However, Norfolk State has been extremely efficient and explosive on the ground in the opening quarter against the Rattlers. The Spartans extended their lead to 14-0 on quarterback Jalen Daniels' 1-yard sneak on third-and-1 at the 13:49 mark. Norfolk State marched 73 yards on 12 plays, punctuated by 11 consecutive rushes. Overall, the Spartans have 147 rushing yards with an average of 11.3 yards per rush.

FAMU QB Daniel Richardson, Rattlers held on opening drive

FAMU transfer quarterback Daniel Richardson led the Rattlers to a quick first down on their opening series on a 10-yard completion to Jalen Rogers. However, the drive stalled due to a penalty (illegal formation), and Richardson's deep pass down the middle of the field on third down to Rogers in tight coverage was incomplete.

Norfolk State strikes first against FAMU in Atlanta

The Spartans wasted little time on their opening series. On the game's third play, Kevon King exploded up the middle on third-and-1 and raced 82 yards untouched for a touchdown. The point-after attempt was good and Norfolk State led 7-0 at the 13:18 mark in the first quarter.

Florida A&M wins coin toss, defers to second half

The Rattlers won the coin toss, but opted to defer to the second half.

6:59 p.m. | FAMU football vs Norfolk State team threads

FAMU: Orange helmets, White jerseys, Orange pants

Norfolk State: Green helmets, Green jersey, Green pants,

6:26 p.m. | FAMU football vs Norfolk State historical matchups

FAMU owns the all-time series over Norfolk State, 13-3.

The Rattlers and the Spartans last played in 2019, where FAMU won 30-29 in Norfolk. FAMU is on a two-game winning streak against Norfolk State.

The Rattlers and the Spartans first met in 1997, when FAMU won 41-26.

6:22 p.m. | FAMU football vs Norfolk in Atlanta weather update

86 degrees, sunny

Expected kickoff weather: 81 degrees, sunny

How to watch Florida A&M vs Norfolk State: Time, TV schedule, streaming

• When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 24

• Where: Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

• TV: ABC

• Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider required), Fubo (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FAMU football vs Norfolk State score, highlights