Football is a game of adjustments.

Florida A&M (1-2, 0-1 SWAC) is currently testing a new nuance to its practice schedule during its bye week.

FAMU coach Willie Simmons has implemented 6 a.m. practices at Bragg Memorial Stadium to test his team's mental and physical toughness.

As the early schedule ends Thursday, the team will have two days off before returning to its normal routine Sunday evening.

So far, Simmons likes how his team has responded.

"For two days in a row, I thought that the guys have come out with a lot of energy," he said. "Maybe it's something to look in to and do this a little bit more often.

"A lot of the guys have really taken the coaching that they've been given and bought into that concept. It's a lot of healthy competition across the board.

"(Thursday), we'll let the young guys crank it up and scrimmage a little bit to see what they can do."

With no game to prepare for, this week has been about FAMU.

But, Simmons is doing his due diligence on the Rattlers' Week 4 opponent, Alabama A&M. AAMU led FAMU 28-10 through three quarters before allowing a comeback in the 2021 meeting.

"We're not doing a full game plan, but we're getting a base idea of who Alabama A&M is in all three phases," Simmons said. "We'll sprinkle some of those looks in when we do our scout work.

"The three practices this week has been more about us. We got a lot of guys that are taking snaps for the first time. TJ Demas, a true freshman is starting for us at center right now. We're giving him any look that he can see to make sure he can make the right calls and adjustments — not just Alabama A&M's.

"As the week progresses and we get closer to Sunday, we'll start to shift our focus to Alabama A&M."

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Isaiah Major likes waking up

Junior-college transfer linebacker Isaiah Major supports 6 a.m. practices.

Major, who played at Independence Community College after a short stint with Division II Central Oklahoma in 2019, recalls those early mornings as great memories.

"In JUCO, it was something that we had to adapt to," Major said.

"I'm actually quite fond of the 6 a.m. practices and its something that I vouch for and wanted to do."

Major is tied for first in the SWAC with 20 total tackles in FAMU's first three contests.

Downplaying his conference standing, he feels that his game is all about effort to put himself in the correct spots.

"I never viewed it as a stat thing. It's how hard you play," Major said.

"The difference between DII, JUCO and Division I is the little things, but ultimately how hard you play and the skillset that you try to sharpen up.

"As a team, we won't quit. No matter the situation or circumstances, them boys are going to go and I want to help them and bring them along with me."

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DayDay Oxendine thinks team is in 'on point'

Redshirt junior wide receiver DayDay Oxendine admitted it was initially difficult to get out of bed for this week's early practices.

But it didn't take long for him to reacclimate to the team's adjusted schedule, participating in 6 a.m. workouts over the summer.

"We've already been doing 6 a.m. in the summer, so it was kind of easy to readjust. The first couple of times, it was hard to get up," Oxendine said.

"Everybody has been here with a lot of energy and has been on point. We're playing more as a team and getting closer with bonding."

A walk-on, Oxendine has seen an advanced role within FAMU's offense with six catches and 78 yards through the first three games. His best game was against North Carolina, where he had four receptions for 43 yards.

He's already matched his reception total from 2021 after only competing in six contests in his first year with FAMU after transferring from UT-Martin.

"I'm really just blessed to be in this position. I've been working hard since last year," Oxendine said.

"I'm still a walk-on and trying to earn everything. At UTM, I was scholarship player, so this is something that I'm getting used to. But, I'm definitely working hard everyday to bring that energy so my teammates can get better."

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FAMU ATHLETICS ROUNDUP

• Director of Athletics candidates narrowed to three, features Angela Suggs, Craig Angelos, and Tiffani-Dawn Sykes

• Men's basketball to play against Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2022 during Unity Series

• Women's basketball schedule released, features Florida, Michigan State, California

• Volleyball to play against Ole Miss on Sept. 15

Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers passing test of 6 a.m. practices during bye week