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Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
‘Going in right direction': FAMU vies for return to championship-winning ways
James Colzie III hasn't sugarcoated it. He's admitted repeatedly that his first season as Florida A&M's football coach last fall fell short of Rattler standards. Their 7-5 record was especially glaring coming just one year after the program won the Celebration Bowl and claimed the Black College Football National Championship. 'The lights were bright last year,' said Colzie, reflecting on 2024 before turning his attention to his second season. 'We've got work to do. It is a new season. I'm excited about what our team's going to look like.' While last year brought growing pains and unanswered questions for Colzie and FAMU, this offseason has been defined by confidence and a clear direction. 'January 1 of 2024, compared to January 1 of 2025 ― the vision was clear,' Colzie said. 'We knew what we needed to do, and there were things we needed to and could address.' As a result, 'There's a different aura right now as far as where our football team is, where our staff is, and where I am as the head coach of this prestigious institution,' he noted. 'We're going in the right direction. Our Rattler fanbase and alumni's expectations are what their expectations are.' On the field, one of the most pressing matters is settling on a starting quarterback — a role Colzie jokes ranks only below the university president in stature. The Rattlers opened fall camp with five quarterbacks — returners Traven Green and Bryson Martin and transfers Tyler Jefferson, RJ Johnson III and Jett Peddy — competing to succeed two former HBCU All-Americans, Jeremy Moussa and Daniel Richardson. Competition has been 'wide open' thus far, with Johnson, a redshirt sophomore from Toledo, and Peddy, a junior from Long Beach City College, impressing early. Defensively, the Rattlers are aiming to restore their 'Dark Cloud Defense' — the moniker for their once-dominant unit. Last year, they fell far short of living up to that name. The Rattlers allowed 27.2 points per game and 167 yards per game on the ground. They ranked last in the SWAC in forced fumbles (10) and 10th in interceptions (nine). 'It's going to take hard work. You get out what you put in,' said defensive end Davion Westmoreland, a graduate student named Preseason All-SWAC First Team. 'If we continue to trust the process and get one percent every day, we'll get the results and outcome that we want.' Westmoreland, senior linebacker Nay'Ron Jenkins — the team's top returning tackler with 73 — and senior cornerback Jameel Sanders, named to the Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List as one of HBCU's top defensive backs, headline the defense. They're joined by redshirt junior T.J. Huggins, who led FAMU in 2024 with three interceptions and seven pass breakups. FAMU will open the season against Howard in the Orange Blossom Classic on Aug. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium in a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl. The Rattlers rallied to win 30-26 to claim the Black College Football title. The rest of a challenging schedule includes a non-conference game at Florida Atlantic the next week, top Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team North Carolina Central at home on Oct. 11 and defending Black College Football national champ Jackson State at home on Nov. 1. At last month's Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Day in Birmingham, Ala., FAMU was predicted to finish second in the Eastern Division behind Jackson State. Offensive lineman Ashton Grable said that doesn't matter to Rattlers players. 'We're just trying to get back to a championship level,' he said. 'We've got to buy into what our coaches are trying to teach us and get back to winning.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- 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
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FAMU football's Orange and Green Spring Game provides building blocks for 2025
The Orange and Green Spring Game is in the books. On Saturday, Florida A&M football held its annual showcase game to preview the 2025 season. The Rattlers split the teams up, with Orange representing the offense and Green being the defense. Advertisement The game score was kept on a point system, including touchdowns, first downs, turnovers, and defensive stops. FAMU's offense, the Orange team, came out on top, winning 59-29. Head coach of the Florida A&M Rattlers football team James Colzie coaches during FAMU's annual spring game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday, April 12, 2025. 'We did a good job. We put some points on the board, and defense made some sacks,' Second-year FAMU head coach James Colzie III told the media after the spring game. 'We're going in the right direction. I'm happy with the group. I'm excited about where we will be in the next few months.' FAMU football's offense shows life, score points after slow start It was a slow start for the FAMU offense. After being consistently stopped, the Rattlers began to pick up their production. Advertisement Bryson Martin started at quarterback for FAMU. Tyler Jefferson, Traven Green, and Roman Purcell got snaps under center. Junior Muratovic didn't scrimmage for internal reasons, Colzie said. The Florida A&M Rattlers football team hold their annual spring game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday, April 12, 2025. 'I thought those four guys did as much as they can and did a good job handling the offense,' Colzie assessed the quarterbacks. 'I thought [Jefferson] as a quarterback stepping in and doing some things, he was able to get some reps that he maybe wasn't going to get today. Happy with him. Bryson Martin, I thought, did a good job,' Colzie later added. Jefferson led a scoring drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Andrew Ritter in the redzone. FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr. set up the score with a run for about 50 yards. Advertisement 'All it took was for Big Thad to make the run, and it turned the light on for the offense,' Colzie explained. Green led two scoring drives, too. The Florida A&M Rattlers football team hold their annual spring game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday, April 12, 2025. First, Bo Summersett, who ran the ball well on Saturday, punched in a touchdown during the redzone situation. Green then found wide receiver Armand Burris over the top to follow. FAMU football's defense has a strong start, defensive line shines The FAMU defense came out hot for the Green squad. To open Saturday's spring game, the Rattlers got two consecutive sacks that resulted in safeties. The defense had an early 6-0 lead on the offense. The Florida A&M Rattlers football team hold their annual spring game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday, April 12, 2025. The Rattlers got disruptive by raiding the backfield to stop the quarterback from getting off passes. Advertisement 'We're a lot better on the defensive front than we may have been last year,' Colzie said. 'Antonio Camon (defensive end) got some sacks and did a great job on the run and pass game,' Colzie added. FAMU also forced turnovers, including an interception by transfer defensive back Daylyn Ditson. FAMU football has a handful of players who starred in spring game Head coach of the Florida A&M Rattlers football team James Colzie coaches during FAMU's annual spring game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday, April 12, 2025. As mentioned, Jefferson, Martin, and Camon impressed Colzie during Saturday's spring game. The FAMU coach added that veteran players Nay'Ron Jenkins, a linebacker, and defensive back Chase Lloyd performed well. Their performances gave Colzie a glimpse of what kind of players he has on the team as spring football ends. Advertisement 'I don't want to get too high, but I don't want to get too low with our football team. But I was excited with what I saw,' Colzie said. 'Offensively, defensively, and our special teams did a good job today.' 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 shows some promise in 2025 Orange and Green Spring Game
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
James Colzie III, FAMU football learning from 'past mistakes' during 2025 spring practices
It's still early, but James Colzie III likes who his second Florida A&M football team is shaping up to be. The Rattlers' head coach proctored his fourth out of 15 spring practices on Friday as his team began incorporating shoulder pads this week. What stands out to Colzie in FAMU football's formative days of spring camp is the squad's quality of players and the healthy mesh of personalities. Florida A&M head coach James Colzie III looks on during the Rattlers' first spring football practice of 2025 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, March 7, 2025. 'We got some talented guys on the field, and I think we're a lot closer as a football team right now than we were at this stage last year,' Colzie told the Tallahassee Democrat after Friday's practice. Advertisement 'We got some guys who can do some good things once they get the ball in their hands. And we got some guys on defense flying around and adjusting to some of the new schemes that we're running.' Talent isn't everything, however. Colzie is urging his team to play cohesive and heady football, which was his pre-practice message to his team on Friday. Colzie spoke of the FAMU being plagued with unsportsmanlike penalties in 2024, a season that saw them finish with a 7-5 record. The Rattlers were the 11th most penalized team in the nation last year, losing 73 yards per game from flags. 'I just think that as a football team and the veterans that we have, we just have to learn from past mistakes. We can't repeat those. Sometimes those mistakes were small, but at times, they were big and cost us drives, points, and ultimately football games,' Colzie explained. Advertisement 'If we can learn from some of the undisciplined things we did last year, that will help us as a football team,' Colzie later added. Rattlers running back Thad Franklin Jr. says he and his FAMU football teammates are absorbing Colzie's lessons. They know they're good players. Florida A&M running back Thad Franklin Jr. goes through drills during the Rattlers' first spring football practice of 2025 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, March 7, 2025. But directing their energy correctly will increase the Rattlers' chances of competing for a Black College Football National Championship and ascending on the Football Championship Subdivision rankings when the regular season begins in August. 'I like what I've been seeing. We're way better and talented than last year,' said Franklin, the single-game rushing yard record holder (195) for the Florida Classic. 'We're just working on being disciplined now because that hurt us last year.' 'We're where I want to be': FAMU football finishes first two weeks of spring camp FAMU has completed its second week of spring football camp. Advertisement Next week, the Rattlers will practice on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Thursday will be FAMU's first of three spring scrimmages. It's an opportunity for players to respond to game-like settings under promoted offensive coordinator Henry Burris, first-year special teams coordinator Kevin Weston, and a modified defensive staff. 'Our guys are learning the new things on the offense and defensive side ― not necessarily schematically, but new coaching styles,' Colzie said. 'We're where I want to be and steadily improving daily.' Spring camp success hinges on how well the Rattlers practice, with three and a half weeks left until the final meeting on Wednesday, April 16. Advertisement FAMU's Orange and Green Spring Game is on Saturday, April 12, at 4 p.m., on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium. 'Just come every day ready to practice and give 100 percent effort,' Franklin said. 'That's all [Colzie] asks from us. As long we do that, he takes care of us.' Florida A&M Football Remaining Spring Practice Schedule Florida A&M quarterbacks drop back to pass during the Rattlers' first spring football practice of 2025 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, March 7, 2025. Tuesday, March 25 Thursday, March 27 ― Scrimmage Friday, March 28 Tuesday, April 1 Thursday, April 3 ― Scrimmage Friday, April 4 Tuesday, April 8 Thursday, April 10 Saturday, April 12 ― Orange and Green Spring Game Monday, April 14 Wednesday, April 16 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, James Colzie correcting past mishaps during 2025 spring camp
Miami Herald
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU head coach doubles as umpire
Florida A&M head football coach James Colzie III loves sports. He was a star athlete at Florida State, playing both football and baseball. The coach of the HBCU powerhouse from the SWAC recently went viral because of how he likes to spend his spare time pursuing his passion. Earlier this month, while FAMU was on spring break, Colzie made a trip to Starkville, Mississippi, for a surprising reason. He took on the role of umpire during Mississippi State's three-game softball series against Auburn. Colzie worked at third base on Saturday, first base on Sunday, and behind home plate on Monday for the finale. Colzie III's connection to the game is rooted in his family as well. His father, James Colzie, has been the softball assignor for Dade County Public Schools in Florida since 1975 and has served as an athletic director since 1991. In recognition of his contributions to high school athletics, Colzie was inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2020. His father's Hall of Fame bio reads in part, 'The Miami, Florida native began his officiating career in basketball, softball, and volleyball. To present, Colzie has officiated over 4,000 FHSAA contests and has appeared on a crew in 290 District Championships, 270 Regional Championships, and 36 State Championship games. His commitment and perseverance led him to become the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Commissioner of Commissions, where he played an instrumental role in recruiting and retaining officials and became a member of the FHSAA Officials Advisory Committee (1990-95).' In 2024 Colzie led the Florida A&M Rattlers football team to a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the SWAC, finishing second in the SWAC East. FAMU finished with a 4-1 record at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Despite a challenging 1-4 record on the road, the team ended the season on a positive note with a two-game winning streak. In 2023 FAMU won the HBCU National Championship under the final season of Willie Simmons as head coach. The post HBCU head coach doubles as umpire appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
