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How FAMU football's home opener vs Albany State was a 'powerful reminder' to Rattler fans
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- How FAMU football's home opener vs Albany State was a 'powerful reminder' to Rattler fans
Bragg Memorial Stadium has one of the premier environments in college football.
And the Florida A&M football team's home opener proved that as the Rattlers (1-2) defeated the Albany State Golden Rams 33-25 before 14,370 fans in the 19,633-seat stadium last Saturday, Sept. 13.
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According to HBCU Pass, FAMU versus Albany State was the fifth most attended Week 3 football game of Black Colleges as fans of the Georgia-based university made the 97-minute trek to join the Rattler faithful.
"The opening game day at FAMU was a powerful reminder that Rattler Nation doesn't just show up, we show out," said FAMU graduate and staff member Cheyenne Martin.
"The stadium was unmatched. I left beaming with pride, proud of our tradition and resilience, and to be a part of our community that always strikes with excellence."
FAMU's Bragg Stadium looked a little different last week ― literally.
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FAMU has installed Orange and Green LED lights to celebrate touchdowns, which strobe onto the fans in a blacked-out stadium. The Rattlers scored their first home touchdown of the 2025 season on a four-yard rush by HBCU Preseason All-American running back Thad Franklin Jr.
FAMU forewarned fans of the light show over the public address speaker.
The Orange and Green beams were active all night as second-year head coach James Colzie III's Rattlers erased a 14-3 deficit to triumph over Albany State, coached by FAMU alum and former quarterback Quinn Gray .
FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III led the Rattlers to the victory, completing 17 of 22 for 272 yards and throwing two touchdowns.
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Defensively, Jameel Sanders starred for the Rattlers with six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup to earn Southwestern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors .
Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Jameel Sanders (8) tackles an opponent. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
It was FAMU football's first win of the year after a neutral-site shortfall to Howard in Miami's Orange Blossom Classic (10-9) and a road loss versus Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton (56-14).
"The gameday experience in Bragg is like none other," said Brian Starkes, a FAMU grad who joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. during his undergraduate studies. "The additions of the lights definitely enhanced the experience. The crowd was electric, which propelled our Rattlers to a much-needed victory. Looking forward to the four remaining home games with the same excitement from Rattler Nation."
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Typically, before FAMU football home games, the university President stands at the 50-yard line and recites the 'Rattler Charge,' a proverb highlighting resilience, honor, and generating hype from fans with its final line ― 'STRIKE, STRIKE, and STRIKE AGAIN!'
Florida A&M President Marva Johnson cheers for the Ratters after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
FAMU's new President, Marva Johnson , was in attendance at Saturday's game versus Albany State.
It was her first home football game after her embattled and controversial May election as FAMU's 13th President. Johnson didn't do the 'Rattler Charge' before the Rattlers faced the Golden Rams.
FAMU instead played a clip on its video board with local radio legend Joe Bullard narrating the 'Rattler Charge' over the football team's highlight reel before the game.
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"The Rattler Charge was a great way to innovate FAMULY pride," Martin added. "From the stands of Bragg Memorial Stadium, and beyond, our community shows that FAMU pride is more than school spirit. It's family, tradition, and legacy."
Gameday operations ran smoothly with traffic, tailgates, and Bragg's gates opening for fan entry at 5 p.m., two hours before kickoff.
FAMU football has four more home games, starting with Alabama State visiting for the SWAC opener on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 3 p.m. FAMU is currently on a bye .
The homecoming football game is set for Oct. 18 versus Alcorn State at 4 p.m.
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North Carolina Central (Oct. 11) and Jackson State (Nov. 1) will also come to Tallahassee to face the Rattlers this season.
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.
"The atmosphere was not only electric, but also a display of the time, dedication, and love put into it by the Rattler staff across multiple departments and teams," FAMU graduate Derrick Junior said. "From traffic control to ticketing to entertainment and vendors, everything went smoothly. Congrats to all in attendance and involved in making it a success."
More FAMU fans chime in on home opener football game vs Albany State
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Ruth Stubbs Hobbs: "The light show was nothing short of amazing! It brought some much-needed energy to the crowd, adding motivation to the team for a WIN!"
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Gail Collins: "What can I say? Bragg was electric! The light show? Wow, and the announcer advised before things began to happen. We are Rattlers all the way. Shine on, Coach Colzie and Rattler Nation. Let's do it again!"
Florida A&M Football's Remaining 2025 Schedule
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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)
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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 debuts new LED lights, 'Rattler Charge': Fans chime in
