Florida A&M University’s football team is amped up about the new season as they look to make another historic run back to the Black College Football National Championship.
The Rattlers will open the season against Norfolk State University on Aug. 24 for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, at Atlanta’s Center Parc Stadium.
FAMU will be representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Norfolk State will rep the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
“It’s exciting for this football team to be back where we ended, which was in Atlanta, Georgia," first-year FAMU head coach James Colzie III said at Wednesday's MEAC/SWAC Challenge press event.
Florida A&M finished the 2023 season in Atlanta when the Rattlers defeated Howard University in the Cricket Celebration Bowl under former head coach Willie Simmons.
Last year's club (12-1, 8-0) broke many records, both in-school and at the national level, including the longest home game win streak in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at 20 games.
Coach Colzie hopes to make a good first impression against Norfolk.
"Obviously getting a chance to start here again as the HBCU reigning national champions. We will have our work cut out for us," said Colzie.
The season opener will be played Aug. 24, at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.