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How FAMU football can put itself 'in great position' in SWAC opener vs Alabama State
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- How FAMU football can put itself 'in great position' in SWAC opener vs Alabama State
The real season begins now.
This Saturday, Sept. 27, Florida A&M football hosts its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener versus Alabama State on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff is at 3 p.m. and will be televised on HBCU GO. It will also be announced on Tallahassee's 96.1 JAMZ radio station .
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The Rattlers are fresh off a bye week , last playing in a Week 3 non-conference game on Saturday, Sept. 13, when they won their home opener versus NCAA Division II team Albany State 33-25.
James Colzie III's Rattlers (1-2) are "eager" and "excited" to return to the football field for the Week 5 game versus the Alabama State Hornets (2-1).
"It's the opening of SWAC season. Anything can happen," the second-year FAMU head coach told local media on his game-week press conference on Monday, Sept. 22.
"And I think the biggest thing is you want to make sure you start 1-0."
Florida A&M Rattlers head coach James Colzie III argues a call with the referee. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Alabama State is also coming off a bye week. The Hornets have won two consecutive games , last beating NCAA Division II team Miles College 37-9 two weeks ago.
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Fourth-year head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. leads the Hornets.
Quarterback Andrew Body is the star of Alabama State's football team, completing 48 of 65 pass attempts for 761 yards, 10 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Corpus Christi, Texas native has added 30 rushing attempts for 195 yards and a touchdown.
Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body (1) looks to pass against Miles college during their game in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday September 13, 2025.
FAMU football and Alabama State will set the table for the SWAC East standings. The outcome could play a role in determining who represents the division in the league's championship game this December for a shot to appear in the Celebration Bowl.
"You put yourself in a great position when you start 1-0," Colzie explained. "We just happen to be going against a very good football team. Coach Robinson has done a great job of assembling the team he has."
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FAMU football uses bye week for health, QB outlook
The Rattlers focused on themselves during the bye week.
Mainly player health.
Colzie hopes "five or six" players return Saturday versus Alabama State.
FAMU was without running back Bo Summersett and wide receiver Jalen 'Speedy' Rogers versus Albany State. Rattlers defensive lineman Cameron Donald has been injured since FAMU's Week 1 game versus Howard.
Another bye week emphasis for the Rattlers was assessing quarterbacks RJ Johnson III and Jett Peddy , who got game reps during the young 2025 season.
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback RJ Johnson III (12) looks to pass. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Johnson has been the starting quarterback since the season opener and did well in FAMU's triumph over Albany State by completing 17 of his 22 pass attempts for 272 yards and throwing for three touchdowns.
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Peddy made a case to play, too. Against Albany State, he went nine of 14 for 99 yards, led the Rattlers to their first scoring drive of the evening, but had an interception due to a drop by a receiver.
Johnson and Peddy got starter reps and had "great bye weeks," Colzie said.
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jett Peddy (8) passes to a teammate down the field. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Based on this week's practice performance, FAMU will "make a decision once we get there on Saturday" for who starts at quarterback versus Alabama State.
FAMU football vs Alabama State is always a good one
Since joining the SWAC in 2021, FAMU has won all four annual matchups versus Alabama State.
Last season, the Rattlers spoiled the Hornets' homecoming football game , leaving Montgomery with a 28-13 victory.
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"It'll be a fight. Those games are always close and come down to the last drive," Colzie said. "Hopefully, we're the team that makes the play at the end."
Alabama State last beat FAMU in the 2003 Detroit Football Classic in a 38-22 win on Ford Field. The Rattlers were in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference then.
"The Alabama State-Florida A&M football game has always been really good," Colzie said.
Florida A&M (1-2) vs. Alabama State (2-1) ― SWAC
Florida A&M head coach James Colzie, III, and Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. during warm ups on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday October 5, 2024.
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When: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.
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Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
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TV/Radio: HBCU GO, 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.
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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 vs Alabama State: SWAC showdown may have playoff implications
