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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FAMU football, Howard to settle unfinished business in Orange Blossom Classic showdown
The Florida A&M and Howard football rivalry will turn a new page in three months. On Saturday, Aug. 30, the Rattlers and the Bison are set to face off in Week 1's Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium to kick off the 2025 season. Advertisement FAMU versus Howard is a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl, which determined the Black College Football National Champion. The Rattlers won the nail-biter in Atlanta, 30-26, to capture the program's 16th Black College Football National Championship in December 2023. Two Florida A&M University flags fly in the pre-game tailgate area outside Hard Rock Stadium before the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. Second-year FAMU head coach James Colzie III served as the Rattlers' assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach during the Celebration Bowl game two years ago. Howard's Larry Scott was in his fourth year leading the program during the Bison's Black College National Championship runner-up finish. This year's Orange Blossom Classic is also a nod to the game's beginnings when FAMU defeated Howard 9-6 in the 1933 inception. The teams also met in the 1974 Orange Blossom Classic, with FAMU beating Howard again, 17-13. Advertisement 'It's a chance to honor the legends who paved the way and allows us to write our chapter in the story of Black College Football,' Colzie said at the Orange Blossom Classic Kickoff Press Conference on Wednesday, May 21. 'Playing Howard is something we look forward to. Hopefully, we can bring that same excitement that we brought from the 2023 Celebration Bowl.' In the FAMU versus Howard Celebration Bowl matchup, the Bison allowed the Rattlers to storm back from a 14-0 deficit. All-time, the Rattlers lead the Bison 30-11 dating back to their first matchup in 1933. 'We're fired up. Revenge is the right word,' Scott said. 'We left some luggage in Atlanta, but lo and behold, American Airlines shifted to Miami, Florida, and we're here to pick it up.' Advertisement The Orange Blossom Classic ran from 1933 before being discontinued in 1978, and was considered the de facto Black College National Championship during its first run. The game was revived in 2021, when FAMU and Jackson State met for three consecutive seasons. Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach James Colzie III watches from the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Rattlers didn't participate in the 2024 Orange Blossom Classic, which saw Alabama State and North Carolina Central compete. However, FAMU still played in Miami last season, as it faced the Miami Hurricanes in a Week 2 guarantee game. FAMU has a large contingent of alums in Miami. Howard also has a fair number of graduates in the South Florida area. Advertisement 'This has been an ongoing process since we didn't play last year,' said Colzie, a Miami native. 'Our fanbase down here is going to be strong. Not playing in it last year, and then getting a chance to come back and play in it again ― it's for everybody affiliated with our university, having the opportunity to open up in South Florida. They want to make sure we come here win, play well, and then move on to the next week. 'Hopefully, we're able to provide that.' FAMU vs Howard in the Orange Blossom Classic a significant HBCU football matchup Florida A&M University's Marching 100 perform during halftime of the Orange Blossom Classic between Florida A&M University and Jackson State University at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. FAMU typically plays in multiple HBCU classic games per football season. Advertisement For example, the Rattlers participated in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Florida Classic last season. It will return to the usual Orange Blossom Classic and Florida Classic lineup this year. The Rattlers utilize those premium games as a recruiting tool. Colzie has brought about 30-35 new players to the team. 'Some of our guys chose FAMU to play in this game. We have some guys that aren't used to playing in this environment,' Colzie said. 'We're taking it day by day, getting our guys ready for the football game.' FAMU football returns from a 7-5 season in 2024. Howard went 4-8 last season. Both teams look to rebound this season and could meet for another Celebration Bowl matchup as FAMU represents the Southwestern Athletic Conference. In contrast, Howard looks to come out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Advertisement And opening the 2025 season 1-0 could springboard FAMU or Howard into a successful year on the gridiron. 'It's going to be a great matchup of two teams fighting to win the first game of the year,' Colzie said. 'We got a pretty seasoned football team, and they're excited to play in this football game.' Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Garden's Hard Rock Stadium) Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC) Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― at Mississippi Valley State (SWAC) Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming) Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC) Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC) Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC) Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC) Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium) Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary) Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game (If Necessary) Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M football vs Howard Orange Blossom Classic rivalry renewed
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FAMU football to open 2025 season with ESPN games vs Howard, FAU
Florida A&M football will begin its 2025 season with two nationally-televised games. The Rattlers' Week 1 game versus Howard in the Orange Blossom Classic will be on ESPNU, with a start time scheduled for 4 p.m. at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. Advertisement This year's Orange Blossom Classic marks FAMU's return to the historic HBCU football game after the Rattlers opted out of game in 2024. The Rattlers last played in the Orange Blossom Classic in 2023, beating the Jackson State Tigers, 28-10. North Carolina Central and Alabama State played in the 2024 Orange Blossom Classic. The FAMU versus Howard Orange Blossom Classic matchup is a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl, the de facto Black College National Championship game. FAMU thrillingly outlasted Howard 30-26. The Orange Blossom Classic is also a homecoming for second-year FAMU head football coach James Colzie III, a Miami native. Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers offensive lineman Kardell Thomas (58) talks to Howard Bison defensive lineman Jamel Stewart (96) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports In Week 2, FAMU travels to Boca Raton to face Football Bowl Subdivision team Florida Atlantic Owls on Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start and will be carried on ESPN Plus. Advertisement The Rattlers and Owls have only met once, which ended in FAU trouncing FAMU 38-8 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 2004. The Rattlers will play 12 regular season games in 2025 after finishing 7-5 last year. Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Garden's Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 6 p.m. Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC) Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― at Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 3 p.m. Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming) Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC) Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC) Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC) Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium) Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary) Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game (If Necessary) All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time. Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football scheduled for ESPN games vs Howard, Florida Atlantic
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
FAMU football gets commitment from Jett Peddy, star JUCO QB from California
The Jett has landed. On Thursday, May 29, Florida A&M football got a commitment from Long Beach City College quarterback Jett Peddy. The Torrance, California native announced his decision to join the Rattlers on X/Twitter days after visiting FAMU's campus last weekend. A star in junior college, Peddy was named to last year's Southern California Football Association National Division All-Central League first team. Advertisement As a sophomore, Peddy passed for 2,706 yards on a 59 percent clip for the 6-5 Long Beach City Vikings during the 2024 season. The 6-foot-2 right-handed quarterback led the league with 270.6 passing yards per game and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. Peddy is FAMU's fifth quarterback pickup this offseason, joining RJ Johnson III, RJ Mayes, Tyler Jefferson, and Roman Purcell. The Rattlers' returning quarterbacks include Traven Green and Bryson Martin. Jett Peddy announced his commitment to Florida A&M football on social media on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The right-handed all-conference quarterback is transferring from Long Beach City College, a junior college in California. FAMU football will open its 2025 season against the Howard Bison in the Orange Blossom Classic at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPU. Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Garden's Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 6 p.m. Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC) Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― at Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 3 p.m. Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming) Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC) Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC) Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC) Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium) Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary) Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game at Nashville's FirstBank Stadium (If Necessary) Advertisement All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time. Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M football: Jett Peddy, star junior college QB, commits
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders' Daughter Makes Bold Decision After Major Personal Setback
As the Buffaloes conclude spring practices and set their sights on the 2025 season, head coach Deion Sanders is busy integrating a wave of new talent into Boulder's storied program. The Buffs, fresh off a 9-4 campaign in 2024, have welcomed 13 high-school enrollees and 28 transfers, including standout quarterbacks Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian Lewis. Advertisement Salter, a four-year starter at Liberty with 5,887 passing yards and 56 touchdowns, joins an offensive line anchored by returning first-team freshman All-American tackle Jordan Seaton. Amid this professional resurgence, the Sanders family encountered a deeply personal challenge on Monday. Sanders' eldest daughter, Deiondra Sanders, shared a sobering health update on X, "I will keep y'all updated on my new journey. I have two options a hysterectomy or Uterine Embolism. For obvious reasons I will be trying the second one. 🙏". Deiondra starred alongside her family on Oxygen's "Prime Time Love" (2008-09) and OWN's "Deion's Family Playbook" (2014-15), and later appeared on "Paradise Hotel" in 2019. Advertisement Since June 2019, she has served as Director of Communications for SC3 Sports Management. In August 2024, she welcomed her first son, Que, with R&B singer Jacquees. Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion J. Downing-Imagn Images After a brief tenure as an NFL Network analyst, Deiondra's father, Deion, transitioned to coaching, revitalizing Jackson State (2020-22) with two Celebration Bowl victories before taking the reins at Colorado in 2023. In his second season, the Buffs jumped from a 1-11 record in 2022 to 9-4 in 2024, sending Heisman cornerback Travis Hunter and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Shedeur Sanders, Deion's youngest son, to the NFL. Advertisement Sanders now enters his third year in Boulder with a reconfigured roster. Related: Josh Allen's Future Wife Hailee Steinfeld Posts Major Personal News on Saturday Related: Alabama Football Reacts to Major Announcement on Saturday
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars pick Colorado star Travis Hunter in NFL draft first round: Highlights, stats
Travis Hunter is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Thursday, April 24, in the NFL Draft, the Jaguars selected the Colorado Buffaloes' two-way star wide receiver and cornerback with the second overall draft pick. The Jaguars traded from the No. 5 overall pick with the Cleveland Browns to select Hunter. Advertisement Hunter joins a Jacksonville team that finished 4-13 in the 2024 season. The Jaguars are coached by Liam Coen, who is entering his first season. The West Palm Beach native spent 2022 to 2024 playing college football. His career began at the Football Championship Subdivision level at Jackson State (2022) before transferring to the Football Bowl Subdivision to follow his coach, Deion Sanders, to Colorado (2023-2024). FAMILY AFFAIR: Travis Hunter's dad granted permission by court to attend NFL Draft in Green Bay with son Hunter, 21, has been a highly-touted name since his prep days as he came out of Collins Hill High School near Atlanta as a five-star recruit and the best prospect in the nation for the 2022 class. Advertisement As a true freshman, Hunter helped Jackson State appear in the Celebration Bowl, the de facto Black College Football National Championship game. Then, at Colorado, Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy and Big 12 Player of the Year after helping the Buffaloes go 9-4 and appear in the Alamo Bowl. Hunter's No. 12 jersey, alongside former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders' No. 2, got retired by the program on Saturday, April 19. Travis Hunter college Travis Hunter starred at Colorado the last two seasons, but began his college career at Jackson State in 2022. Hunter wants to play both cornerback and receiver on a full-time basis and has the potential to be a generational NFL star if he does so, or even if he just dominates on one side of the ball while making occasional appearances on the other. A big question for the team that drafts him is how much they'll let him play and what will be his first primary position. One of the few things that can stop him is injuries. He was slowed by injuries at Jackson State and Colorado but recovered enough last year to win the Heisman Trophy. — Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports Travis Hunter highlights True unicorn in modern NFL draft history. Legitimate No. 1 corner and wide receiver prospect with length, athleticism, playmaking, football IQ to be a difference-maker at either position sooner than later. — Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY Sports Travis Hunter stats Travis Hunter finished his college career with 171 receptions for 2,167 yards and scored 24 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, Hunter was a shutdown corner, with 80 career tackles, 22 pass deflections, and nine interceptions. Travis Hunter height, weight Travis Hunter is listed at 6 feet and 188 pounds. Travis Hunter combine results Travis Hunter did not participate in drills in the 2025 NFL combine in February in Indianapolis. He did work out as a wide receiver at the Colorado pro day in March. Advertisement THE JOURNEY: Heisman winner Travis Hunter's family is sports royalty in hometown of Boynton Beach Travis Hunter high school Travis Hunter, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, starred at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Travis Hunter draft: Jaguars pick Colorado WR/CB in NFL Draft first round
