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FAMU football's James Colzie to evaluate 'all' positions for home opener vs Albany State
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- FAMU football's James Colzie to evaluate 'all' positions for home opener vs Albany State
Florida A&M football didn't come away with its first Football Bowl Subdivision victory in 45 years versus Florida Atlantic last Saturday, Sept. 6 .
However, the Rattlers' second-year head coach, James Colzie III, took some positives from how his team finished the 56-14 loss to FAU . FAMU kept pace with FAU in the second half, being narrowly outscored 17-14 after being shut out in the first half.
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With the game decided, it allowed FAMU to rotate some players versus FAU, which led to the team showing signs of life late in the Week 2 loss .
Colzie will allow his players to jockey for depth chart positioning across the board as his Rattlers (0-2) prepare for their home opener versus the Albany State Golden Rams (2-0) this Saturday, Sept. 13.
"All of them," Colzie said when asked what positions would be assessed at his local media press conference on Monday, Sept. 8.
What has led Colzie to his decisions were dropped passes by receivers, defensive backs losing 50-50 balls, and other position groups not finishing plays, among other issues.
Florida Atlantic wide receiver Easton Messer (8) makes a reception during the first half of a 56-14 victory over Florida A&M at FAU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Boca Raton, FL.
FAMU wide receiver Jordan Edwards could see elevated playing time in the Week 3 game versus Albany State.
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"He's a guy that comes to mind," Colzie said of Edwards.
The reserve receiver and Albany native had two receptions for a team-leading 72 yards, and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III in the loss at FAU.
"You go through the week and see how we practice to make those decisions," Colzie outlined the process of deciding on playing time for the Albany State game.
"I don't think our depth has necessarily been an issue for us. We just got to go through the week and see exactly where we want to make those changes. But there are some other guys that we are going to be moving up the depth chart."
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FAMU is searching for its first victory of the 2025 season versus Albany State after an unexpected loss to Howard in Week 1's Orange Blossom Classic , then faltering in its "money game" at FAU.
After the FAU game, Colzie said he spoke to his players on the team bus about how he can be better as a head coach and encouraged them to continue to "play" and "fight" for him.
"They're anxious to get back going," Colzie said. "Part of our Howard loss trickled into this past week. So, we got to make sure that we wipe this slate clean and get ready to play Albany State."
FAMU football is not underestimating Division II opponent Albany State
The Rattlers are playing down a level versus Albany State, an NCAA Division II team.
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Albany State has been perfect thus far, beating Shaw University 51-7 in Week 1 and following up with a 49-21 triumph over Kentucky State last Saturday.
The Golden Rams are head coached by FAMU alumnus and former record-breaking Rattlers quarterback Quinn Gray , who went on to have a four-year career in the National Football League, primarily with the Jacksonville Jaguars .
"I'm not going to talk about anybody blowing anybody out. I'm not expecting any blowouts right now. I'm expecting us to play a quality team," Colzie said. "The best thing for us is to build off the rhythm that we had. We can't take Coach Gray and Albany State's team lightly. They've won two football games, and we're sitting in a situation where we're trying to find a way to win."
With Albany State coming to Tallahassee, it parallels the 2022 season, Colzie's first year as an assistant on FAMU's staff.
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The Rattlers entered their home opener 0-2 versus Albany State. FAMU prevailed over Albany State 23-13 in a stiff matchup and finished 9-2 that season.
"They're not coming in to make it close. They're coming in to win the football game," Colzie said, remembering the matchup from three seasons ago. "We have to understand that, expect that, and play like that, or we can be in a tight football game similar to where we were in the 2022 season."
The Florida A&M Rattlers prepare to face the Florida Atlantic Owls in a Week 2 NCAA football game at Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
FAMU versus Albany State will kick off at 7 p.m. on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Fans who can't attend in person can watch on the newly launched Southwestern Athletic Conference Television network or listen on 96.1 JAMZ .
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"The biggest thing for us is 'us'," said Colzie, who's 7-7 as FAMU's head coach. "Getting 'us' in rhythm, making 'us' play better, and making sure we put the best possible plan to get our guys ready for this upcoming Saturday."
Florida A&M (0-2) vs. Albany State (2-0)
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When: Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
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Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
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TV/Radio: SWAC TV, 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.
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 .
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football coach James Colzie may have new starters vs Albany State
