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MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE: Rattlers Rally to Defeat Norfolk State, First Win of Colzie Era

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

THE CONVERSATION.

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