There were some questions about the Florida A&M quarterback position after the departure of SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Jeremy Moussa.
Florida Atlantic transfer Daniel Richardson eased any doubts with a scintillating 22 of 30, 286-yard, three-touchdown passing performance to lift the Rattlers over a game Norfolk State squad 24-23 in Saturday’s Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
Richardson, who threw for nearly 7,400 yards and 56 touchdowns in previous stops at Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic, overcame a shaky start to lead Florida A&M to victory in a game that served notice that they are indeed the team to beat still in the SWAC.
Richardson’s first drive ended in a triple coverage heave that should’ve been intercepted by Norfolk State. After that, he couldn’t miss. His first touchdown throw was an effortless 20-yard flick to running back Thad Franklin Jr. to get the Rattlers on the board after the Spartans led 14-0.
His next touchdown pass came on the third quarter’s opening drive, and it was a thing of beauty. Aided by a great stop and go route by receiver Jamari Gassett, Richardson avoided the Norfolk State rush and fired on the run to him for a 55-yard score and a 17-14 Rattler advantage.
After Norfolk State tied the game on a field goal, Richardson drove FAMU right back down the field, avoiding a sack to keep the drive alive with a first down completion to Levontai Summersett. Two plays later, Richardson was rolling right again, finding Gassett alone in the corner of the end zone for what turned out to be the winning score.
After Norfolk State’s failed two-point conversion attempt left the Rattlers clinging to a one-point lead with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Richardson trusted his teammates to make the important plays.
Completions to Gassett and tight end Koby Gross gave Florida A&M a much-needed first down.And after Norfolk State jumped offside on 3rd and 2 with two minutes to go, Richardson took the free snap and threw in the direction of Karter Johnson, who drew a pass interference penalty to seal the win.
Richardson’s stellar performance provided an answer to the question of who would guide the revamped Rattlers offense.
Not only did he prove his arm was good as advertised, but he also was a capable runner, carrying the ball three times for 32 yards, converting a new set of downs on each rush.
There’s still 11 more weeks of football to be played, so no championships have been won yet. However, if Richardson continues to perform at this level, Florida A&M’s chances at repeating as Celebration Bowl champions are greater than most realize.
