1997 Florida A&M Rattlers football team

American college football season June 2025 February 2026 1997 Florida A&M Rattlers football Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference MEAC 10 9–3 5–2 Billy Joe 4th Gulf Coast Bragg Memorial Stadium NCAA Division I-AA First Round L 37–52 at Georgia Southern The 1997 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Billy Joe, the Rattlers compiled an overall record of 9–3, with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, and finished tied for second in the MEAC. Florida A&M completed their season with a loss against Georgia Southern in the NCAA Division I-AA First Round. Schedule 1997 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network August 30 w y 18 Tennessee State Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL 43–28 18,631 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-rattlers-rally-beh/142533484/ Tallahassee Democrat Rattlers rally behind Sampson in opener August 31, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com September 13 w y 16 Norfolk State Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL 41–26 10,083 https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-nsu-upended-wil/173599041/ Richmond Times-Dispatch NSU upended; Williams' returns key Rattlers' win September 14, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com September 20 w y 15 Jackson State 8 Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL 30–14 10,473 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-williams-rattlers/129470439/ Tallahassee Democrat Williams, Rattlers are a smash September 21, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 w y 12 Howard William H. Greene Stadium Washington, DC 24–15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-famu-remains/173599332/ South Florida Sun Sentinel FAMU remains undefeated September 28, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 l y 12 Hampton Armstrong Stadium Hampton, VA 15–18 12,207 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122905445/hampton-hands-famu-its-first-loss/ Hampton hands FAMU its first loss The Miami Herald October 5, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 l y 16 North Carolina A&T Aggie Stadium Greensboro, NC 37–40 2OT 12,597 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-florida-am-falls/173599518/ The Orlando Sentinel Florida A&M falls, 40–37, in double OT October 12, 1997 April 15, 2023 Newspapers.com October 18 w 21 Delaware State Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL 49–0 10,128 https://www.newspapers.com/article/indian-river-press-journal-famu-crushes/173599668/ Indian River Press Journal FAMU crushes Del. St. October 19, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 w y 17 Morgan State Chris Gillman Stadium Kingsland, GA 42–13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-sampson-3-tds-famu-wi/173599819/ St. Petersburg Times Sampson (3 TDs), FAMU win November 2, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 w y 15 Southern 6 Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL 33–3 33,441 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122909296/famu-whips-unbeaten-southern/ FAMU whips unbeaten Southern Pensacola News Journal November 9, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 w y 10 South Carolina State 17 Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Orangeburg, SC 22–20 12,784 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-famu-rallies-past-south-ca/173600045/ Florida Today FAMU rallies past South Carolina St. November 16, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22 w y 10 Bethune–Cookman Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Florida Classic 52–35 56,531 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-rattlers-shake-off/173600166/ The Orlando Sentinel Rattlers shake off Wildcats November 23, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com November 29 l y y 10 Georgia Southern 8 Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA NCAA Division I-AA First Round 37–52 10,409 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-hill-ga-southern-f/173600264/ The Palm Beach Post Hill, Ga. Southern finish off Rattlers November 30, 1997 June 1, 2025 Newspapers.com References Florida AandM Category:Florida A&M Rattlers football seasons Florida AandM Rattlers football Florida A&M