How FAMU football aims to capture elusive complete game, convincing win vs Alabama A&M
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Turning a good performance from the first to the final whistle may be one of the greatest challenges in football.
Florida A&M looked on track to accomplish that feat during its 31-28 victory at Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Saturday, Nov. 8.
Facing an early 7-0 deficit, the Rattlers scored 17 unanswered points from the first to the third quarters to take a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
The FAMU offense, which has seen highs and lows this season, was humming on its way to a 441-yard performance. It was the unit’s third-best statistical production in nine games under first-year offensive coordinator Henry Burris.
FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III tossed two touchdown passes, one apiece to wide receivers Jordan Edwards and Goldie Lawrence. The running game thrived under the ‘Thunder and Lightning’ backfield duo of Thad Franklin Jr. and Jamal Hailey.
“We changed up some of our tendencies and did some things that we haven’t normally done offensively. So, credit to Coach Burris and the staff for doing the necessary adjustments,” said FAMU head football coach James Colzie III.
“We want to be a balanced football team, and it paid dividends for us this past weekend.”
Meanwhile, the Rattlers’ defense was also stymying the Arkansas-Pine Bluff defense.
That included stopping all three of Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s fourth-down conversions in the first half.
But once the fourth quarter came around, things began to take a turn.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff began storming back on the Rattlers by scoring 21 fourth-quarter points with three passing touchdowns.
FAMU’s lead was trimmed to three points on three separate occasions before Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s rally timed out.
“I just think we had about three or four opportunities [on defense]. Offense did their jobs and got us up a couple of scores. And defensively, you want to put a nail in it,” said Colzie, who’s also the defensive playcaller.
Complete games have eluded the Rattlers.
The Rattlers lack a convincing win this season. In four wins, FAMU averages 35 points per game, but allows 29.
FAMU’s five losses have been disastrous, with four of them being blowouts.
On the season, the Rattlers allow offenses to score 34.3 points per game. They haven’t held a team under 20 points since Week 1’s 10-9 loss to Howard.
FAMU’s opponents have also converted over half of their third and fourth-down conversions.
“Being around some of the defenses we’ve had over the last couple of years, you want to step on their neck,” the second-year FAMU coach explained. “We’ve done it in the past. We just haven’t been able to do it this year.”
FAMU football James Colzie III plans to improve late-game defense
Colzie is looking in the mirror as the defensive playcaller.
Especially when playing with a lead.
“Maybe, I’ve got to change up a couple of things when we get to that situation,” he said.
“We got a few too many times this year where we’ve gotten opportunities and the fundamentals, technique, and eyes weren’t where they needed to be,” Colzie added.
That means the FAMU defense may not always automatically resort to zone pass coverage to preserve the stamina of its defensive backs while trying to close out an opponent.
“Guys are understanding that we got to play situational football and guys are going to throw the ball when they’re down,” Colzie said. “But also, we may heat them up a little bit. As opposed to playing some zone or vice versa.”
FAMU football has chance to leave no doubt vs struggling Alabama A&M
Next for FAMU (4-5, 3-2 in SWAC) is a trip to Huntsville for a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup versus the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs (4-6, 1-5 in SWAC) are fresh off a 48-5 home loss to SWAC West leader Prairie View A&M.
Alabama A&M’s year has fallen apart since losing its starting quarterback, Quad Brown, to a season-ending injury six games into the season on Oct. 4 versus Jackson State. Since Brown’s been out, Alabama A&M has won one game, followed by three straight losses.
The Bulldogs rank ninth out of 12 SWAC teams in total offense and last in defense.
“We can’t take anyone lightly,” Colzie said of FAMU’s next opponent. “No matter what they’ve shown last week or the week before, we’re going to get the best version of Alabama A&M, and we need to make sure we’re ready to go.”
FAMU at Alabama A&M kicks off at 3 p.m. Eastern Time at Louis Crews Stadium.
SWAC TV will televise the game, and additional commentary will be available on Tallahassee radio station 96.1 JAMZ.
Florida A&M (4-5, 3-2 in SWAC) at Alabama A&M (4-6, 1-5 in SWAC)
- When: Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time
- Where: Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama
- TV/Radio: SWAC TV, 96.1 JAMZ
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: Florida A&M football hopes to play complete game vs Alabama A&M
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