Florida A&M Head Coach James Colzie Focused on Improving Run Defense

Florida A&M Rattlers Head Coach James Colzie is facing a challenge in his first season at the helm. Despite a strong start to the season with a 2-0 record, Colzie is not satisfied with the performance of his defense, specifically in stopping the run.

In the first two games of the regular season, the Rattlers have struggled to contain their opponents’ rushing attacks. Against Norfolk State, FAMU allowed 227 yards on the ground, with Kevon King and X’Zavion Evans averaging 7.5 yards per carry alone. While the defense improved slightly against South Carolina State, allowing 154 rushing yards, Colzie is still not pleased with the performance.

Colzie attributed the defensive struggles to players being out of alignment and creating rushing lanes by not maintaining their gaps along the line of scrimmage. He emphasized the importance of holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards, a standard set by the team.

With an upcoming matchup against No. 12 Miami (Fla.), Colzie is making adjustments to address the run defense issues. The Rattlers plan to rotate defensive linemen to keep the unit fresh and focus on tackling and proper alignment. Miami’s strong rushing attack, which gained 144 yards in their last game, presents a significant challenge for FAMU.

Colzie acknowledged that there is still work to be done to meet the team’s defensive standards. As they prepare to face a tough opponent in Miami, the Rattlers are focused on improving their run defense and making the necessary adjustments to come out on top.