FAMU football's lopsided loss to Miami an indicator for Rattlers' bye week checklist
Florida A&M head football coach James Colzie III isn’t pointing fingers at anyone but himself.
On Saturday, the Rattlers (2-1) suffered their first loss this season to the Miami Hurricanes 56-9 in a Week 2 Football Championship Subdivision versus Football Bowl Subdivision matchup at Hard Rock Stadium.
It was the Rattlers’ first loss in 13 games, dating back to last season. FAMU had the FCS’ longest winning streak before faltering to Miami on Saturday.
“My number one responsibility, first and foremost, is to be responsible for all losses,” Colzie said in his opening statement to the media after FAMU’s loss at Miami.
“We had won 13 straight football games. So, this isn’t a bunch that’s used to losing ― especially losing like this. But in the locker room, guys were upbeat,” Colzie later added.
FAMU football now enters its first bye of two in its 2024 season.
The Rattlers will return to action on Sept. 21 to face another FBS opponent, the Troy Trojans. FAMU’s Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule opens at home on Sept. 28 versus Alabama A&M.
The Rattlers know this bye week, and the Troy game is critical to succeed in SWAC play as it looks to make another run as conference champions.
“They understand the mission ― get ready for our SWAC run. Did we lose? Yes. Are we happy about it? No,” Colzie said. “We got some things we got to work on, and our guys and our coaching staff are aware of that.”
Saturday’s game was all Miami.
The Rattlers had three turnovers, with an interception by starting quarterback Daniel Richardson on the game’s first drive and two picks thrown by backup quarterback Junior Muratovic in the second half.
FAMU also had two fumbles, one apiece by wide receiver Jamari Gassett and tight end Karter Johnson. The Rattlers were able to retain possession on both of the fumbles.
FAMU has had multiple fumbles in each of its first three games.
The Rattlers had 194 total offensive yards versus Miami, which was FAMU’s lowest this season. FAMU’s season-low nine points were scored on field goals by kickers Cameron Gillis and Michael Smith.
“We had three kicks ― they made those,” Colzie said. “Listen, we have a standard that’s over here. We did not uphold that standard. We want to make sure we get over 300 yards on offense.”
Defensively, FAMU’s discrepancies were exposed by the Hurricanes and their Heisman-hopeful quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward completed 20 of 26 passes for 304 yards and three passing touchdowns in three quarters. Two of his passing touchdowns came on blown coverages, allowing a 17-yard score to receivers Elijah Arroyo and a 50-yarder to Xavier Restrepo.
Ward also added four rushes for 13 yards and a touchdown. Miami rushed for 224 yards.
In total, the Hurricanes recorded 548 yards.
“We had a couple of busted coverages early. You can’t do that with a good football team. I didn’t like the way we tackled or covered. We had a couple of errors in some protection,” Colzie said.
“So when you get to a football game like this, and you see how it turned out, I wished we would have shown a little better. I will take that for myself, and we’ll work on this upcoming bye week.”
FAMU football coach James Colzie III taking positives of loss to Miami Hurricanes into bye week
FAMU football didn’t get the outcome it wanted against Miami.
It probably went worse than expected.
Still, Colzie walked away proud of his team’s persistence in competing until the final whistle of Saturday’s drubbing.
“We kept playing. We kept coaching,” Colzie said. “Our guys didn’t back down. I appreciate our guys for continuing to fight.”
On the flip side, Saturday was an eye-opener for FAMU.
And the bye week allows the Rattlers to do what they’ve done best this season, with two comeback victories thus far ― adjust.
“There are some guys that are angry about how they played. I’m with them on that. We could have done some better things throughout the football game to put us in a much better situation,” Colzie said.
“We know we got to get back, correct, and assess. I think that’s what we do a very good job of.”
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 blowout loss to Miami a gauge for Rattlers bye week plans
