FAMU football aiming for cleaner performance in home opener: 'We still have work to do.'

Florida A&M began its 2024 football season triumphant in Atlanta.

Now it’s time for the Rattlers to come home.

On Saturday, the Rattlers (1-0) host their home opener on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Week 1’s game versus South Carolina State Bulldogs (0-0).

FAMU and South Carolina State kick off at 6 p.m. on ESPN Plus.

Bragg Stadium is where the Rattlers have produced the Football Championship Subdivision’s second-longest winning streak with 19 consecutive victories behind South Dakota State’s 21. FAMU hasn’t been defeated at home since 2018 when it lost to South Carolina State 44-21.

The Rattlers’ home opener coincides with FAMU’s first week of classes. So, first-year FAMU head football coach James Colzie III expects large numbers at Bragg on Saturday.

“We’ll be at full capacity, I’m sure. It’s a lot of things at stake. I want us to play well and show tremendous pride in what we do and how we do it,” Colzie said at Monday’s Week 1 Zoom press conference.

“We got convocation and the pep rally, but we can’t forget what’s important ― the product we put on the field on Saturday. I like our chances as long as we play the right way and do the right things.”

The Rattlers are fresh off a narrow 24-23 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans last Saturday in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. FAMU, which hadn’t faced Norfolk State since 2019, had to erase a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to capture the victory in Colzie’s head coaching debut.

“Going 1-0 was the end goal we intended to hope for. After watching the film and looking at some of our mistakes, I think we’re excited but also extremely lucky to be at that point,” Colzie said. “Extremely excited about our team persevering.”

Now, Colzie is preparing his 25th-ranked FCS Coaches Poll Rattlers for another unfamiliar foe in the South Carolina State Bulldogs, who FAMU last played in 2022 and won 20-14.

However, South Carolina State is now under the leadership of head coach Chennis Berry, who enters his first year after coaching at Benedict College. South Carolina State hasn’t posted its 2024 roster or depth chart yet.

“We’re looking at film of what we think they’re going to run. Right now, you have to wonder, hope, or think what you may see,” Colzie said. “But, for us, we got to be solid in what we do and who we are.”

FAMU football using season-opener lessons for growth opportunities

Alongside Colzie being in his first season as FAMU’s head coach, the Rattlers have welcomed 48 new players.

What Colzie learned about his inaugural team in Week 0 is its responsiveness when under pressure. He said players helped coaches make in-game adjustments to fuel FAMU’s comeback against Norfolk State.

“As young or new as these guys are to this football program, nobody flinched,” Colzie said. “Good teams answer. And that’s exactly what we did. That’s a tribute to our guys, leadership, and newer players believing in what we’re doing.”

Of those new players is FAMU’s starting quarterback, Daniel Richardson.

Last Saturday, the graduate student completed 22 of 30 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns against Norfolk State. He added three rushes for 32 yards.

Richardson began last week being named the Rattlers’ starting quarterback and ended it hoisting the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Most Valuable Player Trophy.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the quarterback, Colzie says.

“Daniel made some good plays. He’ll be the first to tell you that he had some things that he wishes he could’ve done better,” Colzie said. “The biggest thing for me is that he had no turnovers. Made some plays with his feet. Made some plays with his arm. Ultimately, for us to be successful, he’s going to have to be able to continue to do the same thing.”

FAMU has gotten its feet wet.

Now, it’s about maintaining the momentum.

The Rattlers practiced, lifted, and got treatment Sunday evening to continue their efforts to repeat as Black College Football National Champions.

Colzie said that, on Monday morning, he received a call from former football coach Kevin Steele. Colzie and Steele worked as assistants at Florida State from 2004 to 2006.

Colzie said Steele’s message was about staying the course.

“We talked about keeping the same energy ― from the staff to the players,” Colzie recalled his conversation with Steele. “You went 1-0 and could possibly feel complacent. But we still got a long way to go, and they understand we still have work to do.”

Florida A&M (1-0) vs. South Carolina State (0-0) ― Week 1

When: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time

Where: Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida

Broadcast: ESPN Plus (Television), Rattlers Mobile App (Audio)

Tickets: Purchase Here

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

No one covers the Rattlers like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football looks to clean up details in Week 1 vs South Carolina State