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FAMU football enters another season set on protecting winning streak at Bragg Stadium
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- FAMU football enters another season set on protecting winning streak at Bragg Stadium
Home, sweet home.
Florida A&M football opens its home slate on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium against South Carolina State this Saturday at 6 p.m.
Fans who can't attend the Rattlers' home opener can watch on ESPN Plus or listen to the Rattlers mobile app's audio broadcast.
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By Saturday's kickoff, it'll be 2,121 days since FAMU was defeated at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The Rattlers own the second-longest home winning streak in the Football Championship Subdivision, with 20 straight victories. FAMU football most recently won its first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship at Bragg last December.
The last time FAMU lost at Bragg was against South Carolina State in 2018 when the Bulldogs thwarted the Rattlers 44-21 on Nov. 10, 2018. The Rattlers' streak began on Sept. 14, 2019 when they beat Fort Valley State 57-20 in the Jake Gaither Classic .
"We got to make sure we take care of that streak. That's a very important streak ― not only for our players but all our alumni and supporters," said first-year FAMU head coach James Colzie III , who will host recruits at Saturday's home opener.
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"South Carolina State will come in here and try to beat us. And if we don't realize that, we could be in trouble. But I know the leadership guys on this football team will ensure we're ready to go. If we do what we need to do, we should be in good shape."
FAMU's home winning streak has spread across generations of Rattlers football players.
For example, FAMU cornerback Kendall Bohler has never lost at Bragg. His older brother, BJ , a former cornerback for the Rattlers from 2021 to 2022, didn't lose at Bragg either.
"It's my last first game at Bragg," Kendall Bohler said. "I've never lost at Bragg since I've been here, and I don't plan on it."
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FAMU games at Bragg have become a must-have ticket on Saturdays during the fall.
According to HERO Sports' Sam Herder, the Rattlers ranked seventh in regular-season attendance across the FCS , averaging 17,616 in its 19,633-seat stadium last season.
"It's going to be turnt, man. I really can't explain how good I feel about being back at Bragg," said FAMU defensive tackle James Ash . "I'm looking at the student section right now, and I know it's about to be swole. Looking at where the alumni sit, it's about to be swole.
"So, if you don't have your ticket yet, you need to go ahead and get that."
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What is about FAMU football's Bragg Memorial Stadium that makes it so special?
FAMU running back Kelvin Dean Jr. is excited to play his first home game in his final college football season.
Dean, a Tallahassee product from Rickards High School, said his family will attend the Rattlers' home opener versus the South Carolina State Bulldogs .
"Man, I'm ready. About 40 people are coming to watch me play. I got something to prove this weekend," Dean said.
Last week, Dean got 11 carries for 49 yards, leading the Rattlers. In Bragg on Saturday, he looks to have a Celebration Bowl-esque performance that saw him win the Offensive Most Valuable Player in the de facto Black College Football National Championship game.
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Dean says Bragg helps him check into a different mode because of the pageantry, fanfare, and blaring sounds of FAMU's 'Incomparable' Marching 100 .
"From the pregame talk to run out. The band's going to get you rocking. Our kickers and punters like to dance when the camera gets on them," Dean said. "The band is going to be here. Perry Street is going to be jumping at the end. The feeling, the environment, and energy give us a boost."
Bohler agrees with Dean.
He says the imposing Rattler Nation and sea of Orange and Green give FAMU football an edge over visiting teams.
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"The student section and the Marching 100 be lit," Bohler said. "Seeing all the Orange and Green around the stadium ― you can't even see their colors because it's so much Orange and Green. It looks good out here."
FAMU football home games goes beyond on-field advantages
Home games are more than hyped crowds.
Former FAMU head coach Willie Simmons often said home games give the Rattlers an advantage because they allow them to sleep in their bed on gameday eve and follow a set routine.
That's a mindset that Colzie has also adopted.
"It gives them a sense of structure. You know when you're going to eat, meet, and talk. Those help us," Colzie said.
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FAMU football's 20-game winning streak at Bragg Memorial Stadium
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Sept. 14, 2019: FAMU 57, Fort Valley State 20
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Sept. 21, 2019: FAMU 27, Southern 21
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Oct. 5, 2019: FAMU 28, North Carolina Central 21
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Oct. 20, 2019: FAMU 34, North Carolina A&T 31
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Nov. 2, 2019: FAMU 52, Delaware State 30
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Nov. 16, 2019: FAMU 39, Howard 7
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Sept. 11, 2021: FAMU 34, Fort Valley State 7
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Oct. 2, 2021: FAMU 28, Alabama State 0
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Oct. 9, 2021: FAMU 30, South Carolina State 7
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Oct. 30, 2021: FAMU 26, Grambling State 3
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Sept. 10, 2022: FAMU 23, Albany State 13
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Sept. 24, 2022: FAMU 38, Alabama A&M 25
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Oct. 1, 2022: FAMU 34, Mississippi Valley State 7
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Oct. 29, 2022: FAMU 27, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6
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Nov. 5, 2022: FAMU 30, Southern 16
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Sept. 16, 2023: FAMU 31, West Florida 10
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Sept. 23, 2023: FAMU 23, Alabama State 10
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Oct. 28, 2023: FAMU 45, Prairie View A&M 7
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Nov. 11, 2023: FAMU 28, Lincoln (California) 0
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Dec. 2, 2023: FAMU 35, Prairie View A&M 14
Florida A&M (1-0) vs. South Carolina State (0-0) ― Week 1
Florida A&M celebrates after winning the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Florida A&M won 24-23.
When: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
Broadcast: ESPN Plus (Television), Rattlers Mobile App (Audio)
Tickets: Purchase Here
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football aiming for 21st straight home victory at Bragg Stadium
