James Colzie knows FAMU football 'can't lose' Florida Classic vs rival Bethune-Cookman
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James Colzie III is about to coach a football game that’s mandatory to win.
No exceptions.
“When you first take the job, they say there are two games you can’t lose ― homecoming and The Classic,” the Florida A&M head coach told Tallahassee media in his weekly press conference on Nov. 17.
This Saturday, Nov. 22, Colzie will lead FAMU football into Orlando’s Florida Classic versus longtime rivals the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats for the second time since being promoted to head coach last season.
The Rattlers have won the last four meetings versus the Wildcats, dating back to 2021. Colzie served as an assistant on the FAMU coaching staff during the 2022 and 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference matchups.
In his Florida Classic head coaching debut, Colzie guided the Rattlers to a theatrical 41-38 triumph over the Wildcats behind Thad Franklin Jr.’s 195-rushing-yard performance, a record in the annual HBCU rivalry game.
The Rattlers own a 54-24-1 record in the Florida Classic versus the Wildcats.
“It’s a very, very important football game,” Colzie said of Week 13’s Florida Classic. “Not just because it’s the next one, but you get a chance to play against your rival in front of a bunch of people.”
Can FAMU football silence doubts in Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman?
FAMU enters Saturday fresh off evening its record at 5-5 overall and moving to 4-2 in the SWAC after squeaking by SWAC opponent Alabama A&M 26-23 last Saturday, Nov. 15.
Quarterback RJ Johnson III’s four touchdowns carried the Rattlers to their second straight win and fourth victory in the last five games.
Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman (5-6, 4-3 in SWAC) lost 28-13 to SWAC East frontrunners Jackson State.
The Rattlers opened the season 1-4, suffering disappointing losses in big games. Additionally, FAMU is out of the SWAC postseason race with two regular-season games remaining.
The inconsistent play and periodic incompetent performances have exposed Colzie to condemnation and disapproval from Rattler fans and HBCU football watchers.
But beating Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic, one of the longest-running rivalries in college football, could shush some of the lack of confidence in Colzie.
“I don’t think the criticism’s going quiet. It only gets louder,” the FAMU coach said. “The criticism, I can’t worry about. I take the criticism. I want to make sure all the guys are able to do what they need to do and have the success they need to have once we get to Saturday.”
While success in the Florida Classic may not completely quiet the echo of criticism, it could play at a lower key and provide a smidgen of forgiveness despite FAMU’s sub-.500 season.
“You want to win this game for an abundance of reasons ― not necessarily having the year you wanted, not being a representative of the SWAC East,” Colzie explained.
“But yet, you still have an opportunity to play a meaningful football game. It just gives us an opportunity to show that we continue to get better throughout the season, regardless of the situation.”
FAMU football’s quest for winning record runs through Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman
Alongside game preparation, Colzie will spend the week stressing the significance of the Florida Classic.
He will have FAMU football players of the past speak to today’s Rattlers to discuss the Florida Classic’s meaning and “historical importance.”
Speakers include assistant coaches Vincent Jefferies and Orlando McKinley, who both spent their college years playing for the FAMU football team.
“This day and age of the [transfer portal] and people really not maybe understanding it, I’m going to have a few people come to talk to the team,” Colzie said.
FAMU versus Bethune-Cookman’s 2025 Florida Classic kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium.
ESPN+ will televise the game, while additional commentary will be available on Tallahassee radio station 96.1 JAMZ.
A win for the Rattlers would be their third in a row on the season as they move towards attempting to finish the trying season with a winning record.
“We’re trying to finish winning four in a row, finishing 7-5, and tied for second in the conference. We got to win the football game,” Colzie said.
“There are a lot of reasons we’ve got to win, want to win, have to win. You’ve got to still play well for those things to happen.”
Florida A&M (5-5, 4-2 in SWAC) vs Bethune-Cookman (5-6, 4-3 in SWAC) ― Florida Classic
- When: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
- TV/Radio: ESPN+, 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: FAMU football’s James Colzie ready for must-win Florida Classic vs B-CU
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