The Orange Blossom Classic opened with Florida A&M University's Rattlers facing a steep uphill battle, trailing South Carolina State by a double‑digit margin as they entered the third quarter.
Quarterback Isaiah Knowles, the Rattlers' starter, had already endured a turbulent outing, completing only 7 of 22 passes for 94 yards, a performance that highlighted the team's struggle to generate offense against the Bulldogs' defense.
The pivotal moment arrived when Knowles was hit while delivering a pass, the impact jarring his throwing hand and forcing him from the game. The injury, diagnosed as a hand ailment, halted his participation and opened the door for a new leader.
A sudden change at the helm
Graduate transfer Dustin Fletcher, a student at The Citadel from Flint, Michigan, stepped into the huddle as the Rattlers' new quarterback. Fletcher, a graduate student, brought a fresh presence but the shift could not reverse the mounting deficit.
South Carolina State capitalized on the momentum, pulling away to secure a 31‑13 victory, leaving Florida A&M with a stark reminder of the challenges posed by a double‑digit hole and the abrupt loss of their starting signal‑caller.