FAMU Rattlers return to the Orange Blossom Classic, which they have been a part of since 1933 until 1978, when the event stopped. The Orange Blossom Classic restarted in 2021 with FAMU playing Jackson State for the next 3 years. The Rattlers decided to forego playing in the Orange Blossom Classic in 2024 and returned in 2025 to play against their 2023 Celebration Bowl Championship opponent, Howard University.
The only win the Rattlers have had in this game since returning to play in 2021 came under former Head Coach Willie Simmons in 2023, who was an honorary captain for the Rattlers and Harvey Reed for Howard University before the start of this year’s game.
If Howard University quarterback Tyriq Starks could have run their 2-minute offense the whole game as precisely as they did late in the fourth quarter to kick a field goal and win the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic 10-7, the Bison offensive production could have been more than 195 yards of total offense in the game. The Rattlers have 272 total yards of offense, with RJ Johnson III completing 17 of 32 passes for 183 yards for the game. The Rattlers’ field goal kicker, Daniel Porto, made 3 out of the 4 field goal attempts for the game. The Bisons quarterback, Tyriq Starks, was able to move the ball down the field, putting them in position to kick a game-winning field goal by Matt Conord to secure the Bison’s first win of the season.
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