FAMU football formulating plan to return to 'championship level' at SWAC Media Day
The Rattlers have gone from the hunted to the hunter.
A year ago, around this time, the Rattlers had a target on their back after finishing the previous season by winning the Celebration Bowl to claim the Black College Football National Championship.
In turn, FAMU went 7-5 under first-year head football coach James Colzie III in the 2024 season.
'The lights were bright last year,' the FAMU coach told the media at Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Media Day. 'We've got work to do. It is a new season. I'm excited about what our team's going to look like.'
The SWAC predicted the Rattlers would finish second in the East division behind the defending Black College National champs, Jackson State. If the prognostication holds up, FAMU will not qualify for the SWAC Championship game or the Celebration Bowl, part of the HBCU football postseason.
The Rattlers would still be eligible for an at-large bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
'We're just trying to get back to a championship level,' said FAMU All-SWAC offensive lineman Ashton Grable, a 2023 Celebration Bowl team starter. 'We've got to buy into what our coaches are trying to teach us and get back to winning.
'It doesn't matter,' Grable added about the ranking. 'We're going to go out there, work hard every day, be respectful, honor our opponents, and play hard. That's all we can do.'
Entering his second year as FAMU's football coach, Colzie feels comfortable with his team's offseason progression.
FAMU football has undergone spring practice and offseason workouts with a complete coaching staff, unlike last year, due to Colzie's late January 2024 promotion from being the program's assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach.
'January 1 of 2024, compared to January 1 of 2025 ― the vision was clear. We knew what we needed to do, and there were things we needed to and could address,' Colzie explained.
'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. We're going in the right direction. Our Rattler fanbase and alumni's expectations are what their expectations are.'
FAMU football faces a tough schedule in 2025
The Rattlers open their season against the Howard Bison in Miami Gardens' Orange Blossom Classic on Aug. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium. It's a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl when FAMU completed a comeback to defeat Howard 30-26 en route to raising the Black College Football title trophy.
FAMU faces a challenging schedule that includes top Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team North Carolina Central and HBCU football's top team from last season, Jackson State.
'We didn't shy away from who we wanted to play,' Colzie said. 'We're excited about our schedule. We'll be battle-tested. Every week, we're going to be on national television somewhere.'
Another wrinkle in FAMU's schedule is that after its first three games versus Howard, at Florida Atlantic, and versus Albany State, the Rattlers will play nine straight contests to complete the regular season.
'It's going to take hard work. You get out what you put in,' said FAMU's Preseason All-SWAC First Team defensive end Davion Westmoreland. 'If we continue to trust the process and get one percent every day, we'll get the results and outcome that we want.'
FAMU will open preseason training camp on Friday, Aug. 1, to prepare for its 2025 season.
There are high expectations for the Rattlers to bounce back this season.
'I want to make sure we go through a vigorous training camp,' Colzie said. 'But at the end of day, we've got to be ready to play on Saturdays. That's what everything's going to be based upon.'
Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule
Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' 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, 7 p.m., SWAC TV
Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK
Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 4 p.m., SWAC TV
Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central, 3 p.m., HBCU GO
Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming), 4 p.m., ESPN Plus
Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC), 5 p.m. SWAC TV
Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC), 7 p.m., ESPN Network
Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
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)This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football SWAC Media Day 2025: Rattlers want to reclaim HBCU title
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Exiles 'suffered' once again but battling qualities shone throgh
NEWPORT County AFC started their League Two campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Notts County on Saturday on a day when the football was overshadowed by a concerning medical emergency before kick-off. Once play did get under way an hour late, the visitors dominated the first half, but the Exiles held on and broke the deadlock against the run of play when Ged Garner headed in four minutes after the restart. The Magpies earned a point thanks to Jodi Jones' superbly struck penalty on 65 minutes before Michael Reindorf rattled the post soon afterwards. David Hughes' men now have a clear week to prepare for their trip to Crawley Town this coming Saturday and, despite being happy with the point, the manager knows there is still plenty to work on... Under the cosh Notts County hit the bar after 10 minutes and the visitors could easily have been out of sight by half-time, so it's easy to see why Hughes and most fans were reasonably satisfied with the end result after a much-improved second-half showing. The Exiles have certainly shown their battling qualities in the first two competitive matches of the season - they have faced a worrying 35 shots combined against Barnet [in the Carabao Cup preliminary round last Tuesday] and Notts and they had just 31 per cent possession on Saturday, compared to 23 per cent at The Hive Stadium. On the plus side, they have conceded just three times - thanks to some heroic defending from Lee Jenkins and James Clarke in particular, some poor finishing and the general excellence of new goalkeeper Nik Tzanev. Hughes would argue that it has been a team effort and the two games so far have highlighted his players' willingness to dig in and work for each other when things are not going their way. After Barnet, the manager admitted his side had "suffered" and that was something he prepared them for in pre-season with a trip to former Commonewealth super-bantamweight champion Jamie Arthur's gym in Rhydyfelin. 'It was almost like a mental toughness, conditioning session,' Hughes told The Guardian. 'It was just to try and take the group somewhere you think about the skillset you need to be a boxer, they definitely suffer to win. And all we're trying to do is have a culture where we understand and appreciate that winning looks different at times. To win games of football, at times you've got to suffer.' Speaking after Saturday's match, he praised the players' attitude: "We have provided a platform in these first two games to what needs to underpin our performances moving forward. "The first pillar underpinning performance, for me, is a willingness to work tirelessly for your team and I think the reaction of the supporters afterwards tells you their feelings on the performance. "They were really positive about the level of energy and intent the players showed. And that's the base level. What we have to do is add layers on top of that in key areas, but we're really pleased. "There are areas we want to work on, but I think the lads should be immensely proud of themselves." (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)Strikers scoring After suffering in the first half, Garner surprised most people inside Rodney Parade - possibly even himself and definitely the visiting defence - by ghosting into the area to nod in from Jenkins' long throw into the box from close range. It was nowhere near as spectacular as Reindorf's rocket against Barnet, but it was just as welcome and it's a big positive that both new strikers have now found the net in their first competitive starts - especially after Garner's penalty miss in the shootout last week. "From a confidence perspective, centre forwards will always judge themselves on goals and we're trying to get them into areas on the pitch [where they can threaten] and support them in key areas," explained Hughes. "They come in different areas. I 'm sure Ged didn't think he'd be heading in a long throw from Lee, but they're really important. To win games of football, you've got to find different ways of scoring a goal and we did that. We were a threat from set-plays." (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)Harsh penalty It looked a questionable decision at the time and, looking at the replays of the penalty incident, it appears as if the Exiles were hard done by when referee Peter Wright pointed to the spot following an innocuous-looking tangle between Matt Baker and Matt Dennis that started well outside the area. The referee could easily have given a free-kick the other way but, to his credit, Hughes didn't take the opportunity to moan about the officials as some of his predecessors loved to do with tiresome regularty. "If it was given for you, would you be disappointed? Probably not," he reflected. "It's a coming together; Matt's backing away, the centre forward is backing in, one loses balance. Who knows? It's such a contentious decision and it's gone against us. But, let's focus on the positives. I thought, to a man, everybody was outstanding." The manager instead chose to vent his anger at the EFL over the scheduling of last week's cup tie and he will be pleased to have no Tuesday fixture this week. "It's a really good start, but it is only a start," he added. "Let's not get too high when we've had a good performance. We have to follow this up with a really good week's work and another good performance at Crawley next Saturday."
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
WNBA-leading Lynx acquire DiJonai Carrington from Wings for 2 players and a draft pick
WNBA-leading Minnesota acquired DiJonai Carrington in a trade Sunday from the Dallas Wings for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and the Lynx's second-round pick in 2027. Carrington averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 20 games for the Wings, who acquired her from Connecticut in February as part of a four-team trade. This is the fifth WNBA season for the 5-foot-11 guard/forward. Miller, the No. 2 overall pick by the Lynx in the draft two years ago, is averaging 4.1 points a game this season. Since scoring 12.1 points a game as a rookie in 2023, the 6-3 forward from Maryland has averaged only 3.5 points in 47 games the past two seasons. Samuelson hasn't played since June 29 because of surgery on her left foot after playing only 16 games for the Lynx, who got the 6-foot guard from Washington in April. She played four games for Dallas in 2019. The Wings waived 6-7 center Teaira McCowan, a seven-year WNBA veteran, to make room on the roster for the additions. McCowan averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 games this season. Minnesota is 24-5 this season. The Wings, with No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers, have lost eight of their last 10 games and are 8-21. ___ AP WNBA: The Associated Press
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lachlan Turner sweeps Women's division for first Loretta Lynn's title
Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha's Lachlan Turner completed her sweep of the Women's division with a Moto 3 victory and secured the Loretta Lynn's Amateur National title in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, but this time around, she had a different challenger in second in Mayla Herrick. Turner had unfinished business in the Loretta's. As the defending Women's Pro Motocross (WMX) champion, no one questioned her skill; however, she had failed to secure a divisional championship in the biggest event of amateur racing. Turner won each moto with dominant gaps over second place. Her victory over Herrick was 41.734 seconds as the eventual runner-up finisher worked her way through a determined field. Turner's overall strength was highlighted by a 19th-place finish earlier in the day in the 250 B Limited class that is dominated by male riders. Lachlan Turner sweeps first two races in Women's Loretta Lynn's division with Moto 2 win Lachlan Turner was five seconds faster than the competition on multiple laps of Moto 2. Dan Beaver , Herrick had a modest start in fifth. It took three laps to get into podium contention and another couple of trips around the circuit to move around Kyleigh Stallings into second. The lead was out of the question by that point, with Turner more than 30 seconds ahead, but Herrick matched the leader's pace during the next three laps before losing significant ground on the final lap. Herrick's second-place finish on Saturday, combined with fourth-place results in the first two motos, placed her third overall in the divisional standings by a tiebreaker over Jordan Jarvis. Stallings swept the podium with second-place finishes in Motos 1 and 2, plus her third-place finish on Saturday. For half of Moto 3, it appeared she might finish second for the third time, and rode in that position until Lap 5. Landen Gordon ends Enzo Temmerman's streak with Open Pro Sport Moto 2 win Enzo Temmerman struggled at the start of the moto and was unable to make up the distance on his teammate. Dan Beaver , Stallings and Turner will leave Tennessee and head to Indiana for the resumption of the WMX Championship next weekend. Fourth-place finisher Jarvis will join them at Ironman Raceway. She came up one position short of also sweeping the podium. Five was the operative number for Mila Baltyk, who finished fifth in Moto1, Moto 3, and in the overall standings. Baltyk's other finish during the week was sixth in Moto 2. Enzo Temmerman sweeps Loretta Lynn's 250 Pro Sport, secures title Enzo Temmerman overcame a poor start in 250 Pro Sport Moto 3 and made his way to the lead. Dan Beaver , Women Moto 3 Results Lachlan Turner, Gardnerville, Nev., Yamaha Mayla Herrick, Thornton, Colo., KTM Kyleigh Stallings, Yukon, Okla., Kawasaki Jordan Jarvis, Leesburg, Fla., Yamaha Mila Baltyk, Brooksville, Fla., Yamaha Nanami Honda, Japan, Yamaha Isla Phillips, St. George, Utah, Husqvarna Katelyn Harris, Willow Grove, Pa., Yamaha' Callie Sutton, Evansville, Ind., KTM Shelbie Brittain, Midland, Texas, Yamaha Loretta Lynn's News Enzo Temmerman sweeps 250 Pro Sport, secures titleLachlan Turner sweeps first two races in Women's divisionGordon ends Temmerman's streak with Open Pro Sport Moto 2 winThree for Temmerman, Enzo scores third win in 250 Pro Sport Moto 2Enzo Temmerman wins Open Pro Sport Moto 1 at Loretta'sWMX leader, Lachlan Turner, wins first Women's motoEnzo Temmerman Lorretta's 250 Pro Sports Moto 1Loretta's Lap-a-Thon Benefitting St. Jude returns for 2025 More SuperMotocross News SMX, Monster Energy extend sponsorship through 2030Roger De Coster retires as US MXoN managerKTM AG returns to full productionMotocross of Nations to return to U.S. in 2028, 2031Washougal 450 Results | 250 ResultsJo Shimoda earns second Motocross win of 2025 at WashougalChase Sexton beats Jett Lawrence at WashougalHaiden Deegan wins Washougal Moto 1 over Jo ShimodaChase Sexton wins Washougal Moto 1, Jett Lawrence thirdJason Anderson out for remainder of 2025 SMX season
