Florida A&M’s Marching 100 played a snippet of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” during their field show at the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge: pic.twitter.com/rRzQzhFQnY
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) August 25, 2024
CELEBRATION FOR COLZIE
In their first game since the 2023 National Championship, FAMU rallied to deliver their first-year head coach his first career win in thrilling fashion, 24-23 over Norfolk State.
Head Coach James Colzie returned to Atlanta, with the weight of the highest possible expectations on shoulders. Named as the successor to Willie Simmons in Tallahassee, Colzie was a key fixture on the Simmons’ staff during Rattlers football’s most successful period in recent history. Now, as his tenure begins in earnest, a disciplined and confident team has put the entire FCS/HBCU football world on notice.
Thankfully, at least one team from Tallahassee can celebrate a win this week.
TOUCHDOWN RATTLERS!
Daniel Richardson connects with Thad Franklin for the first touchdown of the new season.
FAMU – 7
NSU – 14
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???? https://t.co/IYCVrkvgTF#FAMU | #Rattlers | #RELOAD | #REPEAT pic.twitter.com/F3WwDFdC5q— Florida A&M Football ???? (@FAMU_FB) August 25, 2024
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Daniel Richardson is named the MEAC/SWAC Challenge MVP after throwing for 286 yards and three touchdowns in the 24-23 win.#FAMU | #Rattlers | #RELOAD | #REPEAT pic.twitter.com/mPMl0s0UHo
— Florida A&M Football ???? (@FAMU_FB) August 25, 2024
Florida A&M won the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff with a final score of 24-23. Correspondent Thai Floyd caught up with Rattler Defensive Back Kendall Bohler after the game.
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— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC) August 25, 2024
RICHEY RICH
Last week Monday, freshly-minted starting quarterback Daniel Richardson earned the trust of his coach, and the opportunity to lead the Rattlers as the successor to SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Jeremy Moussa.
In response to this endorsement from his coach, Richardson threw for 286 years in his first start for the Rattlers, and solidified his position with an MVP performance. Coming out of halftime, with the Rattlers down four point, D-Rich led the offensive unit on a fourteen point run, completing 73.3% of his passes on the day, going 22-for-30 while averaging 9.5 yards per attempt.
Tampa, Florida & Tampa Bay Tech Product???????????? https://t.co/EWzkxqkeuv
— Penalty Talk (@PenaltyTalk) August 27, 2024
ON TO THE NEXT ONE
FAMU has successfully set the tone for their campaign to back-to-back championships. A reloaded defense, and an efficiency on the offensive side of ball has Rattlers at 1-0, with momentum headed into conference play.
Florida A&M returns home for a match-up with South Carolina State (Aug. 31), before facing the University of Miami (Sept. 7) at Hard Rock Stadium. By far the hardest challenge on the Rattlers list of opponents, the Hurricanes will likely be FAMU’s first loss on the season. FAMU will also visit Troy (Sept. 21), Alabama State (Oct. 5), Jackson State (Oct. 19), and Prairie View (Nov. 9) before Classic Weekend (Nov. 23).
Home games for Rattlers this year feature Alabama A&M (Sept. 28), Southern (Oct. 26), Texas Southern (Nov. 2) , and a senior night match with Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 16) in Bragg Memorial Stadium.
After their dramatic win in Atlanta, I can’t see FAMU arriving in Orlando without nine wins on the season.