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FAMU football adopting 'three more' mantra for motivation as season reaches final games
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- FAMU football adopting 'three more' mantra for motivation as season reaches final games
It's not over yet for Florida A&M football .
Though the odds are slim for the Rattlers to repeat as Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl champions after critical losses at Jackson State and Prairie View A&M , the Rattlers have much to play for.
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The Rattlers (5-4, 3-2 in SWAC) have since shifted its mantra from 'Reload and Repeat' to 'Three More,' signifying the remaining games this season.
FAMU has two home games remaining, with Mississippi Valley State this Saturday and Alabama A&M on Nov. 29. FAMU will travel for a neutral site game versus Bethune-Cookman for Nov. 23's annual Florida Classic rivalry game, which many Rattlers fans consider the most important matchup of the year.
"We got three more," said FAMU cornerback Kendall Bohler . "We got to win out after a tough loss last week. I'm telling the guys to stay focused and keep going."
Florida A&M Rattlers' defensive back Kendall Bohler (3) intercepts the ball as Jackson State Tigers' wide receiver Joanes Fortilien (16) tries to catch it during the game in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
Before this season, playoff football was a normality at FAMU.
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In 2021, the Rattlers qualified for an at-large bid in the Football Championship Subdivision's 24-team tournament. FAMU's 2023 season saw the Rattlers hoist the SWAC and Celebration Bowl trophies to claim the program's 16th Black College Football National Championship .
The Rattlers, in 2022, lobbied for an FCS postseason spot but weren't selected after finishing the regular season 9-2 and on a nine-game winning streak.
FAMU offensive lineman TJ Lee , a Rattler since 2021, has been there for it all.
He's come to terms with FAMU not reaching its ultimate goals of another championship year in his final college football season. However, he's zeroed in on him and his classmates never losing at Bragg Memorial Stadium nor to Bethune-Cookman.
Florida A&M football offensive lineman TJ Lee (69) lines up for a play against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Simmons Bank Field in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Saturday, November 13, 2021
FAMU is on a 23-game home winning streak, the second longest in the FCS. That can reach 25 games if the Rattlers defeat MVSU and Alabama A&M. Furthermore, the Rattlers are on a three-game winning streak over state rivals Bethune-Cookman.
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"This is my first not playing for postseason play," Lee said. "But for me, I've never lost in Bragg or lost to Bethune. That's been my lil motivation ― finish strong. We're staying strong and together for these last three weeks to keep the streak going and beat Bethune."
FAMU football trying to keep morale high despite shortcomings
Last Saturday, FAMU was on the wrong side of one of the SWAC's biggest upsets by losing to Prairie View A&M 31-12. The Rattlers were without their starting quarterback, Daniel Richardson , for most of the game after he got a concussion in the first quarter.
FAMU head coach James Colzie III is let down by the Rattlers' unluckiness. But the first-year head coach is on to the next.
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And next up for the Rattlers (5-4, 3-2 in SWAC) is keeping MVSU (0-10, 0-6 in SWAC) winless when the Delta Devils come to Bragg this Saturday at 1 p.m. on HBCU Go and the Rattlers Plus mobile application.
"We're licking our wounds a little bit," Colzie said. "You put the game to bed and get ready for the next opponent."
Bohler said that it was a somber vibe when FAMU returned to practice on Sunday, a day after the loss at Prairie View.
The Rattlers had to accept the reality of their season. Bohler says his team's morale has increased as the Rattlers look towards MVSU.
"They're responding well. Sunday was quiet," Bohler said. "But it's been more louder practices. We're getting on the field and doing our thing."
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FAMU football playing for graduating seniors and a respectable record
FAMU's last three games are the last ride for its senior players, such as Bohler and Lee, who've seen the Rattlers' FCS playoff berth, the snub, and the championship season.
The Rattlers are also motivated to play for newer senior players who transferred to FAMU in the last few seasons.
Lee says he's urging his Rattler teammates to play the final trilogy of games for the seniors who've set a new standard for FAMU football.
"I've been talking to guys since the lost Saturday. I just asked them to go off for me for my last three weeks," Lee said.
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FAMU is looking to finish this season 8-4 with a 6-2 mark in the SWAC, starting with MVSU this Saturday. That'll be a respectable season for the first season of Colzie leading the program.
"We want to make sure we finish this season correctly," Colzie said. "But before we can go 8-4, we got to go 6-4, which means we got to win this Saturday."
Florida A&M vs Mississippi Valley State ― Week 12, SWAC
When: Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium; Tallahassee, Florida
Broadcast: HBCU Go, Rattlers Plus
Tickets: Purchase Here
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: Florida A&M football down but not out after playoff hopes faded away
