2024 MEAC/SWAC Participants are Norfolk State and FAMU Rattlers
Atlanta, GA – The start of the 2024-2025 college football season is twenty-four days away, and in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge will be Norfolk State University from the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) led by Head Coach Dawson Odums and the HBCU National Champions from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Florida A&M Rattlers led by new Head Football Coach James Colzie III.
The two head coaches had the opportunity to sit down for a press conference in Atlanta Georgia, to discuss what the fans can expect from the two teams in this year’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge matchup. The press conference led by Jay Walker College football analyst for ESPN started the press conference off by talking about how far HBCUs have come from hoping to be one of six teams that would have their game played on TV each week, to having an HBCU football game shown the first week of the college football season.
The FAMU Rattlers have seen significant changes in the coaching staff after Coach Simmons departure from the program after winning the HBCU National Championship in the Celebration Bowl held in Atlanta. Coach Colzie III let it be known the foundation Coach Simmons set is in place for the Rattlers football program to continue playing the same brand of football that FAMU is known for playing. The Rattlers have a senior-led team that will be ready to play in the game. A few Rattler players to watch out for in this matchup are offensive linemen Jalen Goss, TJ Lee, and Ashton Grable. On the defensive side of the ball defensive lineman Allen Smith, defensive back Deco Wilson, and Kendall Bohler. The Rattlers will have 18 players returning on offense and 19 returning on defense.
Coach Odums of Norfolk State University will be the first Head Football Coach who has coached a SWAC (Southern University) and MEAC program (Norfolk State University) in MEAC/ SWAC Challenge history. Coach Odums spoke about how iconic 8/24 is this year which is the date of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. When people think about the numbers 8 and 24 it reminds them of Kobe Bryant bringing the mamba mentality and that is what Coach Odums expects to see from his team in this game.
Norfolk State went 3-8 during the 2023 football season losing five games by an average of 5.2 points per game, adding former Alcorn State University Offensive Coordinator/Quarterback Coach and Aaron Tiller Defensive Lineman Coach to the coaching staff. The Spartans football team looks to have a strong season this year starting with this game. Coach Odums was the head coach of the Southern University Jaguars in the 2017 matchup against the South Carolina State Bulldogs, understands that adversity will happen, and will be mentally tested. If the Spartans look to secure a win in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, and during the season, they must be prepared for adversity and not succumb but rise above by playing smart football.
The Spartans offensive line will be well intact with Ryan Nolan, VJ Byrd, Dyral McMillan, and Garrison Wheatley returning along with running back Keveon King. The Spartans defense will have Terron Mallory and Devon Allen at the defensive back position, Sage Beuchert-Irvine and Levontae Jacobs playing on the defensive line.
Both teams have seen challenges within their programs. Once Coach Willie Simmons left FAMU multiple players on the team entered the transfer portal. Coach Colzie has recruited athletes from the transfer portal that he hopes will fit the Rattlers FAMULY culture. Coach Odums has gone through some growing pains of letting his locker room grow up with one another because of the High School recruits they develop for an opportunity to be successful playing for Norfolk State University.
This matchup between Norfolk State University and Florida A&M will be exciting on ABC on August 24th at 8pm. Both head football coaches for their respective programs understand the importance of having their brand in Atlanta for this game, with the limitless recruiting opportunities for their football programs. Mr. John Grant, the Executive Director of the Cricket MEAC SWAC Challenge can’t be thanked enough for the opportunity provided HBCUs football programs with this game.