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How FAMU football 'won' its bye week; this week's foe Troy 'poses some problems for us'
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- How FAMU football 'won' its bye week; this week's foe Troy 'poses some problems for us'
Florida A&M football is back in action this week, facing Troy on Saturday.
But even during their bye week, Rattlers head coach James Colzie III chalked up the Week 3 break as a victory for his team.
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Last week, the Rattlers worked within to fine-tune some details highlighted in their first three games . Colzie and his FAMU squad practiced on Sunday.
"Excited to get ourselves back from this bye week. We had a very good practice [Sunday]," Colzie told media in his game week press conference on Monday.
"I posed it as a win for us during our bye week. We got ourselves healthy, nobody was in trouble, and got guys that needed to work on some fundamental things."
The Florida A&M football team joins in celebrating the students of R. Frank Nims Middle School, Pineview Elementary School, and Bond Elementary for their high achievement in last year's school grade Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
Ranked 20th in the latest Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll, the Rattlers (2-1) are up against Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, the Troy Trojans (0-3).
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The Trojans, who play in the Sun Belt Conference, dropped their Week 3 game against Iowa 38-21 last Saturday. In its previous games, the winless Troy lost to Nevada (28-26) and Memphis (38-17).
Gerad Parker is in his first season as Troy's head coach.
Troy is FAMU's second consecutive FBS opponent. FAMU lost 56-9 to Miami before its bye week.
FAMU and Troy meet at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus.
"A team who's looking to get a win. [Troy] played three good opponents," Colzie said. "They pose a problem with some of their size and speed. Similar to us, a new head coach trying to find his way.
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"We're going against another FBS opponent. Their record may not be what they want it to be. But we're seeing a good football team."
FAMU football vs Troy Trojans may be decided on attrition
Troy played up against a physical Big 10 team, Iowa.
On a smaller scale, FAMU opened its season against physical Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams, Norfolk State and South Carolina State.
Colzie knows how those games can impact health.
Head coach of the Florida A&M football team James Colzie III shakes hands with students of R. Frank Nims Middle School, Pineview Elementary School, and Bond Elementary to celebrate their high achievement in last year's school grade Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
"You wonder how Troy will come out after playing a very physical Iowa football team. I feel for Troy, especially knowing how we felt after our first two weeks going against two traditionally tough, hardnosed football teams," Colzie said.
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"That's a very good football team in Troy, Alabama. They were able to hang with a very good Iowa football team representing the Big 10 Conference."
Oftentimes, FCS versus FBS games are a battle of attrition.
For example, FCS teams get 63 scholarships. FBS teams are capped at 85 scholarships.
FAMU isn't privy to Troy's injury report. But injured players or not, Colzie isn't downplaying Troy.
"Whoever may have gotten injured, hopefully, nobody, won't have that liberty of having a week to get better. But with the 85 scholarship limit they have, whomever they may have lost can be replaced with another scholarship player. It's not a scholarship player once we get to our second or third team," Colzie said.
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"But we won't know how banged up they are until we see them pregame."
FAMU football head coach James Colzie III scouts upcoming opponent Troy Trojans
Last Saturday, Troy displayed its ability to keep up with Iowa early, holding a 14-10 lead at halftime in the eventual loss.
FAMU has had two comeback victories in its two wins over Norfolk State (24-23) and South Carolina State (22-18).
But Colzie knows the Rattlers could put themselves in a bind if they allow the Trojans to jump ahead. He says FAMU has to secure the football and close out Troy's drives on third down.
"They can put points on the board early and often. Hopefully, working on those two things will help us not just be in the football game but give us a heck of an opportunity to win," Colzie said.
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A Troy player who impresses Colzie is junior wide receiver Devonte Ross . Against Iowa last Saturday, Ross had five catches for 142 yards, two receiving touchdowns, and a 77-yard punt return touchdown.
"Definitely a concern," Colzie said of the receiver.
"You got to know when he's on your side and be able to put some hands on him. Troy's done a good job of getting him the football in different spots and adding him to the return game.
"He's a very, very, very, very, very, very electric player. He's a guy we have our eyes on. We're not going to be able to stop him. We're going to try our best to try to neutralize him."
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On defense, Troy's linebackers, Brendan Jackson and Jordan Stringer . The duo leads the Trojans in tackles, combining for 44. Jackson leads Troy with three tackles for loss.
Still, Colzie is confident that his quarterback, Daniel Richardson , will adequately orchestrate the offense. Richardson is 15th in the FCS with 699 passing yards three games into the season.
" Daniel Richardson went against probably one of the best defenses in the country a couple of weeks ago," Colzie said.
"But Daniel Richardson will not be able to do it by himself. We're going to have to be able to win some one-on-one battles up front and at the receiver position. It's going to have to be a collective effort."
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Florida A&M (2-1) at Troy (0-3) ― Week 4
Florida A&M Rattlers take on South Carolina State in first home game of the season Thursday, August 31 2024.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama
Broadcast: ESPN Plus
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's James Colzie: What we worked during bye; ready for Troy
