Florida A&M Targets Howard in the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic

Source: On3 and Rivals Network

By Llerraj Esuod

No Warning. All Bite.

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Rattlers arrive in Miami Gardens with unfinished business. In 2023, they swept the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title and the Celebration Bowl, claiming the national championship for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In 2024, under first-year head coach James Colzie III, the Rattlers finished 7–5 overall and 5–3 in the SWAC, ending the year without new hardware.

The sting of last season fuels FAMU’s strike to reclaim dominance. The pursuit begins now.

“This trip isn’t for respect. We’ve come to take it — slithering down from the highest of Tallahassee’s seven hills, fangs bared and ready to strike,” Colzie declared. “I want fear.”

The Prey: Howard University

The Rattlers now set their sights on the Orange Blossom Classic (OBC) for the 2025 season. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. ET on August 30, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium, with live coverage on ESPNU. Their opponent: the Howard University Bison, the same team FAMU edged 30–26 in the 2023 Celebration Bowl.

“Howard’s got history. We’ve got bite,” Colzie remarked. “We ain’t sneaking up on anybody. The Rattler brand is known.”

Where the Name Began

More than a century ago, FAMU’s first campus in Jacksonville sat on tangled terrain crawling with rattlesnakes. Most saw a problem. Then-President J.R.E. Lee saw a weapon, declaring the rattler would “strike fear and elicit immediate respect from opponents.” The rattlesnake soon became the school’s mascot, representing the university’s pursuit of academic distinction and athletic prowess.

That identity followed the university to Tallahassee, its hiss growing louder with each generation. Now, Colzie and his team shed old skin.

“I’ve got killers on this roster,” he warned. “You’re going to see it.”

Same Classic. New Era.

The first OBC ended with a 9–0 Rattler shutout of Howard. Colzie’s squad is built to deliver that control.

His formula: discipline, tempo, and toughness.

Fast. Furious. Fearless.

“I’m big on physicality,” he explained. “I want people to see how we run to the ball and think, ‘Oh shit, this team is different.’”

The defense attacks from every angle. The offense stretches opponents across the entire field. “We’re not playing scared,” he said.

Reloaded and Ready

The SWAC is known for swagger, resilience, and high-impact football. This offseason, FAMU added quarterback RJ Johnson III, defensive back Caleb McKenzie, and transfers Jett Peddy, Jamar Taylor Jr., Jason Riles Jr., and TeQuan Latimore.

Johnson marked his commitment with a simple message on social media: “All Glory To God.” Peddy’s arrival, reported by Yahoo Sports, adds acceleration and versatility to the Rattlers’ arsenal. Reports from training camp indicate these additions have elevated practice momentum and intensified competition.

Colzie’s expectations leave no room for hesitation. “I want players who own the moment,” he noted. “That’s what separates a flash in the pan from a dynasty.”

The Standard Is the Standard

Discipline is nonnegotiable: “You loaf in practice? You sit. At Florida A&M, we hunt,” Colzie stated plainly.

Players arrive on time, communicate clearly, and execute assignments from start to finish. Accountability and relentlessness are expected every snap.

“Show up ready, speak with purpose, and bring intensity to every rep,” he urged. “Everything we do, we do with bite. I want our players walking with their heads up and chests out — not cocky, just confident.”

Big Stage. Historic Stakes.

Once regarded as the unofficial national championship for Black colleges, the OBC remains a proving ground for programs looking to send a message. The game influences recruiting pipelines, draws national television exposure, and strengthens alumni pride.

“We were told we couldn’t compete,” Colzie recalled. “Told our brand didn’t matter. But here we are. I don’t need to say we’re elite. We’ll show you.”

Rivalry Roots

While FAMU and Howard share national recognition, their recent football clashes have taken on sharper edges, with each outcome shaping reputations and postseason positioning within the SWAC and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

“The tagline for this game is ‘Built on History. Fueled by Pride,’ but I’d like to say that we see this game as being fueled by revenge,” said Howard Athletics Director Kery Davis, referencing Howard’s motivation for this year’s OBC following their 2023 loss.

Preparation Philosophy

Colzie’s practices mimic game-day chaos: crowd noise is piped in, two-minute drills run under strict time limits, and precision under pressure is a constant demand. Coaches push players to handle distractions so they can execute when the lights are brightest and pressure is highest.

SWAC Is Watching

The Rattlers share the conference stage with Jackson State, Southern, and Grambling. Every game is a chance to reinforce their identity and reclaim the top spot.

High-scoring shootouts that leave the defense exposed don’t interest Colzie at all.

“That’s not us. We’re going to make you feel us. We’re going to hit you. We’re going to make you think twice about lining up again,” he warned.

The Final Strike

He knows fear travels faster than respect — and he intends for his players to spread it from the first whistle. No apologies.

“We’re going to play our game, our way,” Colzie promised.