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FAMU football to implement 'consequences' for flags after penalty-riddled 2024 season
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- FAMU football to implement 'consequences' for flags after penalty-riddled 2024 season
Things are getting physical.
The pads are now on for Florida A&M football at its 2025 preseason training camp .
And while head coach James Colzie III wants the Rattlers to be physical, what's also important to him is his players making the proper reads, making safe contact with their teammates, and playing smart football.
"We have times where we're in 'thud,' right? That's just making sure you're putting your head in the right spot," FAMU's second-year head coach told the media following Tuesday, Aug. 5's practice.
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"But you just hope we get to practice a little better ― keep people off the ground when we get into those periods. We had a couple of guys on the ground. That's not really what we want. But you heard a little more 'click clack' today. And at times we look good, but at other times, we have to make sure we practice like we're supposed to."
Tuesday was FAMU's second day of practicing in pads after introducing them to training camp at Sunday, Aug. 3's practice.
The Rattlers practiced with energy and vehemently competed. Defense won the day, Colzie said.
Florida A&M Rattlers defensive end Davion Westmoreland (orange mouthpiece) celebrates with teammates during a training camp football practice on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Aug. 5, 2025.
And it was mainly a clean day penalty-wise.
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"We did a good job today," Colzie explained. "I thought the guys flew around. The defensive line probably won today. Defensively, we've got to make sure we watch the ball. There are different levels of discipline. But defensively, we didn't have any penalties, which is great. Offensively, we didn't have any foolish penalties. So today, on the discipline side, I thought we did good."
Coach James Colzie III remembers how penalties hindered FAMU football last season
Padded practices have both mental and physical strain, which could lead to flags.
And the Rattlers' having minimal penalties thus far could be a good sign, especially with the added element of contact and tackling.
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Last season, the Rattlers were amongst the top penalized teams in the Football Championship Subdivision en route to their 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
"A lot of numbers flash in my head," Colzie recalled last season's penalty struggles.
"We finished ninth with penalties in the conference and 104th in the country. Those are two numbers that could hurt you. I would say we lost a couple of games primarily because of penalties, not being able to put teams away, and giving teams extra possessions."
Those statistics Colzie named are now ingrained in the heads of FAMU football players, too. The Rattlers aim to lessen their penalty count in 2025.
The Florida A&M Rattlers held a training camp football practice on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
"I showed them the numbers. They were surprised with the numbers, but that's what [the stats] were," Colzie said. "They vowed to me that we'll get better."
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FAMU football players must continue to be penalty-free ― or lose playing time
The Rattlers' discipline will be tested this week.
FAMU football will have referees at its practices this week and utilize SWAC officials for the first closed training camp scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 9.
How do the Rattlers maintain their clean track record of penalties so far in training camp?
Knowing that petty flags could lead to Colzie and his coaching staff docking penalized players' playing time.
"There are consequences with penalties. The biggest thing our guys want to have is playing time," Colzie said. "If you get a foolish penalty, we'll get you off the field. So, if you want to play, then don't get penalized."
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Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule
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Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU
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Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus
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Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 7 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK
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Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
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Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 4 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central, 3 p.m., HBCU GO
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Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming), 4 p.m., ESPN Plus
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Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC), 5 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC), 7 p.m., ESPN Network
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Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
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Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium), TIME TBA, ESPN Plus
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Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary)
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Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary)
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Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary)
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Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game at Nashville's FirstBank Stadium (If Necessary)
All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.
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 to deduct playing time for flags in 2025
