preseason training camp is winding down.
And the Rattlers are shifting their focus to the Norfolk State Spartans, whom they will face in Week 0’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Aug. 24 in Atlanta.
Rattlers head coach James Colzie III already has his team occasionally practicing in the evening to acclimate to the upcoming 7:30 kickoff.
That’s just one avenue the Rattlers have traveled 18 practices in.
Here’s how the reigning Black College Football National Champions are preparing for 2024’s kickoff.
FAMU football taking a look at first opponent Norfolk State
FAMU began studying Norfolk State’s film over the summer.
The Rattlers coaches have zeroed in on Norfolk State’s new offensive coordinator, Jason Phillips, who comes from Alcorn State. Phillips is Norfolk State’s fourth offensive coordinator in four years.
FAMU will begin practicing against Norfolk State’s sets, offensively and defensively, to prepare for the matchup.
“We’re looking at a lot of film. But practice-wise, we’ll get ready for them tomorrow and start doing some basic things,” Colzie said. “Excited to get started with it. [Norfolk State is] going to be well-coached. We got our hands full getting ready for next week.”
FAMU defensive back Deco Wilson is one of the Rattlers’ top returning defenders, recently earning a spot on the Black College Football Player of the Year watchlist.
Wilson is up for the challenge of the newly-ran Norfolk State offense.
And he’s trusting FAMU football’s coaching staff’s game plan.
"It’s big because your coaches give you all the tools,” Wilson said. “You know what your opponent is doing. It helps you play faster and better. If you take advantage of it, it’ll put you in a good spot.”
FAMU football's key players have a gauge of where the team is
Wilson is among seven FAMU players earning preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors and one of four Rattlers named to Boxtorow’s preseason HBCU All-America team.
Those honorees, plus the Rattlers having one of the top recruiting classes, have Wilson thinking about how good FAMU can be in 2024 with talent and good chemistry.
“We’re still learning. We got a lot of upside and talent,” Wilson said. “But we got to put it all together, and we’ll be clicking and good to go.”
FAMU wide receiver Jamari Gassett was also one of those seven Preseason All-SWAC selections.
He knows the Rattlers can be a championship team again. But they’ll have to fuse their on-field talent with execution.
“It’s really important. The details are what’s going to matter,” Gassett said.
“Football is football, but those small details can turn the whole game around. So, we got to dwell on the details, get ready for Norfolk State, and go out there and dominate.”
Excitement is building for FAMU football's season opener versus Norfolk State
FAMU football is ready to take the trip to Atlanta.
The Rattlers’ season-opener versus the Norfolk State Spartans at Center Parc Stadium will be televised on ABC.
All of FAMU’s 2024 games will be on television or streaming services.
“It’s nothing like being under those lights,” Wilson said. “It’s going to be fun for us. All the nationally televised games are just a great opportunity.”
FAMU’s last game was in Atlanta when the Rattlers won the Celebration Bowl to claim the Black College Football National Championship last December.
The Rattlers have longed to step on the field of play ever since.
It’ll be Gassett’s time to shine as FAMU’s most game-experienced receiver.
“It gives me chills. I’ve been ready to back out there since last December when we left Atlanta,” Gassett said. “Last year, I didn’t get to show who I was. I had to mature up. And we had some big-time players in front of me. Now, it’s my turn.”
Colzie is excited that gameday is soon.
He thinks the Rattlers’ practices will turn up a notch as they transition to game mode.
“Now, we’re getting ready for a game. The intensity and attention to detail will be raised a little bit,” Colzie said. “Big-time stadium, environment, and crowd ― there will be a higher level of anticipation and focus because we’re getting ready to play the first game of the year.”
Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Football Schedule
- Aug. 24 vs. Norfolk State in MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Atlanta* at 7:30 p.m., ABC
- Aug. 31 vs. South Carolina State, 6 p.m., ESPN+
- Sept. 7 at Miami, 6 p.m., ACC Network
- Sept. 21 at Troy, 7 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
- Sept. 28 vs. Alabama A&M, 6 p.m., ESPN+
- Oct. 5 at Alabama State, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
- 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. 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 covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email atgdthomas@tallahassee.comor 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.
