The FAMU Rattlers opened their SWAC slate with a loss on their home field, falling to the Alabama State University Hornets 42 to 14.
The loss dropped the Rattlers early-season record to 1-3. Through their first four games, the Rattlers struggled, suffering losses to Howard University, Florida Atlantic University and now Alabama State University. Their only win was against Albany State University in week three.
Following the loss, head coach James Colzie III delivered a coach’s promise and addressed the media with a stern need for change.
“We’re going to turn this thing around, or [I won’t] be here,” Colzie told the media at the postgame press conference after falling to Alabama State.
He acknowledged the mental toll the early losses were having on his team, stressing the urgent need for wins to restore morale.
“We’ve got to make sure we get our confidence back,” Colzie said. “We’ve got to get some Ws. That’s what it’s going to come down to.”
Alabama State’s victory was built on their rushing game, which accumulated 299 yards on the ground. Running back for the Hornets, Jamarie Hostzclaw was the vocal point, tallying 135 yards on 22 attempts.
The focus leading up to the game was Hornets quarterback and SWAC Offensive Player of the Year contender, Andrew Body. While Body’s numbers weren’t stellar, he threw for 106 yards and threw two crucial touchdown passes.
FAMU’s Quarterback RJ Johnson III has started all four of the Rattlers games, maintaining an overall stat line of 72 completions on 115 attempts for 810 yards, with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, Johnson struggled against Alabama State, completing 20 of 33 attempts for only 133 yards and a touchdown, as FAMU failed to move the ball consistently downfield.
Notably, backup quarterback Jett Peddy did not see action against Alabama State on Saturday, despite a solid showing two weeks prior that had sparked the Rattlers comeback against Albany State.
The Rattlers will now have to turn the page and get ready to face Mississippi Valley State in Bena, Mississippi on Oct. 4 at 4 p.m.