Florida A&M football’s morale has dramatically increased after winning last Saturday’s Florida Classic 41-38 over Bethune-Cookman.
Now, the Rattlers have their season finale this Friday as they host the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff for the Southwestern Athletic Conference game is at 4 p.m. on ESPN Plus and the Rattlers Plus mobile application.
“Everyone’s excited. I had to remind them we still got another football game on a shorter week,” FAMU head coach James Colzie III said in his game week press conference on Monday.
“But they didn’t need much of a reminder. They understand what’s at stake. Our seniors understand what’s at stake.”
The Rattlers (6-5, 4-3 in SWAC) versus the Bulldogs (6-5, 4-3 in SWAC) are making up their Hurricane Helene-impacted game, initially scheduled for Sept. 28.
Friday is also Senior Day for the Rattlers.
Colzie said FAMU football will honor around 20 graduating players this Saturday.
FAMU football standouts such as quarterback Daniel Richardson, offensive lineman TJ Lee, and cornerback Kendall Bohler are included in that count.
It’ll be an opportunity for the Rattlers seniors to restart a new home winning streak in their final college football game. FAMU previously won 23 consecutive home games before falling to Mississippi Valley State 24-21 two weeks ago.
“You want to make sure you end on a solid note,” Colzie said. “The unfortunate game against Mississippi Valley State, they want to be the ones to start a new streak at home. For our football team leading off into the offseason, you want to end on a great note and have something to build on.”
Alabama A&M has the SWAC’s best total offense, leading comfortably, averaging 454.4 yards per game.
The Bulldogs have scored 38 points or higher in four of their seven SWAC games thus far.
Alabama A&M running back Donovan Eaglin is second in SWAC rushing with 897 yards, accompanied by nine touchdowns.
Colzie will keep an eye on the Bulldogs’ top ball carrier.
“Their numbers speak for themselves,” Colzie said of Alabama A&M’s offense.
“You talk about their pass game and things of that nature, but it boils down to their running back. They have one of the best running backs in the conference. We got to make them predictable by knowing when they’re throwing the football, and then we can start putting our coverages in place,” Colzie added.
FAMU’s post-Thanksgiving game attendance will likely be impacted.
Still, Colzie hopes for a lively gameday environment at Bragg Stadium to send off his seniors properly and get a glimpse of the future of FAMU football under his leadership.
“You got to honor the guys that have fought through to put us in the position we’re in right now,” Colzie said. “You got a lot of guys that have put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this program. But on the other side, you’ll see a lot of guys we’re using will be back for us next year.
“You want to make sure these guys leave with a great taste in their mouth on the football field and how they were supported and acknowledged for their accomplishments.”
When: Friday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m.
Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium; Tallahassee, Florida
Broadcast: ESPN Plus, Rattlers Plus mobile application
Tickets: Purchase Here
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 RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
