FAMU ready for revenge-minded rival Howard in return to Orange Blossom Classic

Saturday’s Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium was already set to be a must-watch event, but Howard athletic director Kery Davis turned up the heat at a news conference in May promoting the game against Florida A&M.

“The tagline for this game is ‘Built on History. Fueled by Pride,’ but I’d like to say that we see this game as being fueled by revenge,” Davis said at The Historic Hampton House — amping up anticipation for the matchup even further.

Davis was referencing the 2023 Celebration Bowl. That showdown, which determined the Black College Football National Championship, was the last meeting between Howard and Florida A&M and the 40th in their historic rivalry.

FAMU, champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, rallied to defeat Howard, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champ, 30-26 in front of a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Rattlers outscored the Bison 20-10 in the fourth quarter to secure the comeback victory.

While the Bison seeks revenge Saturday at 4 p.m., the Rattlers are determined to make a statement to open 2025.

“We went 7-3 against FCS opponents last year and then we went 0-2 against Miami and Troy, and 7-5 isn’t good enough, especially here at Florida A&M,” said FAMU coach James Colzie III. “This gives us an opportunity to show how hard we’ve been working to our fans and our alumni. … Guys that are trying to make a name for themselves — why not do it the first game of the year?”

This year’s Orange Blossom Classic features a matchup with deep roots: the same teams that played in the inaugural game in 1933. Founded by J.R.E. Lee Jr., son of then-FAMU president J.R.E. Lee Sr., the first Classic was held on a “blacks only” field in Jacksonville, where FAMU won 9-0 before a crowd of 2,000. Forty-one years later, the teams met again in the Classic, with FAMU edging Howard 17-13.

After being discontinued in 1978, the Orange Blossom Classic was revived in 2021 led by the efforts of Kendra N. Bulluck-Major.

The annual event aims to “educate attendees of all ages and the community as a whole on the value and reach of HBCUs” and to “be the premier HBCU Classic in the United States that bridges history, community impact and scholarship fundraising.”

The Classic is significant to FAMU players, coaches, students, and alumni alike, Colzie said.

“This game means a lot,” Colzie said. “I know university-wise, it’s famous for the historical aspect. About 25 to 30 of our players are from the South Florida area, so it’s a chance for them to go home. And we played Howard in the very first Classic. It’s very, very hard to have an Orange Blossom Classic and not have Florida A&M involved.

“This is one of the reasons you chose to come to Florida A&M — to play in this type of game and environment,” Colzie added. “When we recruit these guys, this is one of the games we’re talking about. Being able to play in this type of game on national television [ESPNU], playing against a quality opponent. I don’t think I have to do much to get them going. I just have to make sure once they get going that we keep them at the level we need them to be at.”

Colzie has high aspirations for this year’s Rattlers, which he describes as “a lot faster and bigger” than last year’s team.

“Obviously being a part of the staff in 2023 and looking at the team that we had then when we won the national championship, there are some similarities,” he said.

One notable difference: lack of experience.

That includes at the quarterback position, where RJ Johnson III, a transfer from Toledo, will start for Florida A&M. He earned the job last week after an open competition in fall camp, beating out returners Traven Green and Bryson Martin, as well as fellow transfers Tyler Jefferson and Jett Peddy. The competition ultimately came down to Johnson and Peddy, Colzie said.

Howard, meanwhile, has yet to name a starting quarterback between Ja’Shawn Scroggins and Tyriq Starks.

“We hopefully have a firm grasp of what they want to do on offense,” Colzie said in response to the uncertainty. “

The Bison returns several key players, including preseason All-MEAC First Team selection running back Eden James, who rushed for 442 yards and three touchdowns last season and veteran wide receiver Breylin Smith, a reliable target downfield who caught 17 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in 2024.

Noah Miles, a 2025 STATS Perform FCS Preseason All-American, is the backbone of the defensive line. Linebackers Judah McJimpsey and Cam Dyson and defensive backs Kaleb Gallop and Kedrick Green also are difference-makers for the Bison.

“They’re similar to us — they want to run the football and stop the run,” Colzie said.

Saturday’s game will be a homecoming of sorts for Howard coach Larry Scott.

Scott spent two-plus seasons (2013-15) as the Hurricanes’ tight ends coach and was named their interim head coach for the final six games of 2015 following Al Golden’s firing. As Miami’s interim coach, Scott led the Hurricanes to a 4-2 mark and a berth in the Sun Bowl.

The week leading up to the game includes activities such as a career fair, a scholarship luncheon and a denim party.

On gameday, there will be a free fan fest on the south lawn outside Hard Rock Stadium. It begins at noon and will feature music, culture, food trucks, activations, and more, as well as a live performance by Miami’s own Ball Greezy.

Come kickoff, Colzie expects a raucous atmosphere like that at Mercedes-Benz Stadium two years ago. After all, it’s one of the better HBCU rivalries around.

“We’ve got great respect for each other, great respect academically and athletically,” Colzie said. “I just think we’ve got two institutions that feel that they both are the number one HBCU in the country. Whoever wins Saturday ultimately will be able to say that wholeheartedly.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM.