Florida A&M football opened its Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule last Saturday with a 28-13 triumph over Alabama State .
However, FAMU head coach James Colzie III knows his Rattlers (3-2, 1-0 in SWAC) must improve for the SWAC Championship to run through Tallahassee again.
The first-year coach Colzie said the Rattlers will emphasize playing disciplined football during their Week 7 bye.
FAMU has been penalized 38 times for 331 yards in five games. The Rattlers’ penalty stats are in the middle of the pack amongst SWAC teams.
Last Saturday, FAMU was flagged eight times for 64 yards compared to Alabama State’s four penalties for 35 yards.
“They have an effect,” Colzie said of penalties in Monday’s SWAC coaches’ media availability.
“We got to be smarter, understand the situation and the moment. Penalty wise ― continue to stress the importance.”
Up against Alabama State’s fifth-ranked defense in the Football Championship Subdivision, FAMU had four turnovers last Saturday.
Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson threw two interceptions and fumbled. FAMU running back Bo Summersett added a fumble.
Altogether, the Rattlers have 10 turnovers ― five interceptions and fumbles apiece ― in five games. FAMU’s opponents have only committed three turnovers.
Next, the Rattlers travel to face the Jackson State Tigers (4-2, 2-0 in SWAC) on Oct. 19. Jackson State defeated Alabama A&M 45-38 last Saturday.
Jackson State holds the 12th-scoring offense and 16th-best defense in the nation.
FAMU and Jackson State are on a bye this week.
The Rattlers are ranked 19th in the FCS Coaches Poll.
“We got some things to clean up. I don’t think we can get by Jackson State with those penalties and having a four-turnover affair,” Colzie said.
FAMU football still searching for a complete performance
The Rattlers have been a second-half team early this season.
For example, FAMU outscores its FCS opponents 28-27 in the first half. After the halftime break, the Rattlers dominate the competition 50-27.
Colzie says, if not corrected, FAMU’s slow starts could spell trouble against Jackson State after the bye.
“If we wait until the fourth quarter against Jackson State, there might not be a game. They’ve done a great job of starting well,” Colzie said. “Things that we’ve done in the fourth ― we’ve got to be able to do in the first and the second. You don’t want to get down too much.
“We got to continue to stress and work on us starting well.”
FAMU football keeping an eye on Hurricane Milton
Though Tallahassee likely won’t be impacted, FAMU football is monitoring Hurricane Milton .
The Category 5 storm is forecasted to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday.
The Rattlers have a large contingency of Tampa natives on the roster.
Two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene forced FAMU to move its SWAC game versus Alabama A&M from Sept. 28 to Nov. 29 .
“Our last time going through this, we took it day by day. It’s important that we continue to do that,” Colzie said.
“We have quite a few players from the Tampa area ― a strong possibility that we may have some people that may need to go home to help with family.
“Based on where it’s going and how it’s moving, we’ll ultimately make the proper decision once we need to.”
Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Football Schedule
- Oct. 19 at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN Network
- Oct. 26 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN Network
- Nov. 2 vs. Texas Southern (HOMECOMING), 4 p.m., ESPN+
- Nov. 9 at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
- Nov. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m., HBCU GO
- Nov. 23 vs. Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic, Orlando*, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Network
- Nov. 29 vs. Alabama A&M, TIME TBA, ESPN+
- Nov. 30: FCS Playoffs Begin
- Dec. 7: SWAC Championship, LOCATION/TEAMS TBA, ESPN2
- Dec. 14: Celebration Bowl, Atlanta*, TEAMS TBA, 12 p.m., ABC
BOLD = SWAC
* = Neutral Site
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 .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football coach James Colzie III working to 'clean up' performances during bye week
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