The Rattlers are set to open their 2025 campaign on Saturday, August 29, when they host Albany State at Ken Riley Field in Tallahassee, a contest that will be streamed live on SWAC TV.
Coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. insists the game is anything but a warm‑up; he treats it as a full‑scale regular‑season battle that will be recorded in the team’s win‑loss ledger.
A Glimpse at the 2025 Encounter
In 2025, Albany State led 14‑3 before the Rattlers rallied to secure a 33‑25 victory, a result that still resonates in both programs’ narratives.
This year the roster features a direct link between the two programs: quarterback Isaiah Knowles, who starred for Albany State in 2024 and 2025, now leads the FAMU offense, while David Bowser, the current head coach of the Golden Rams, retains many of the players Gray once mentored.
Nicholas Sewak, FAMU’s co‑offensive coordinator, and Christopher Cash, now overseeing the Rattlers’ safeties and nickelbacks, both bring experience from Albany State, underscoring the intertwined histories of the coaching staffs.
Ryan Lewis Sr., FAMU’s defensive coordinator, adds another layer of familiarity, having previously steered Alabama State teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a background that may shape the defensive schemes on display.
Despite Albany State’s perceived talent edge, Gray remains resolute, emphasizing that the outcome will be decided on the field and that his team is prepared to compete fiercely.
The matchup also serves as a litmus test for Week 0 scheduling, a tradition that typically offers larger programs a tune‑up but is treated as a genuine regular‑season contest for smaller schools like FAMU.