29-05-2025
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.
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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.
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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
