Howard edges Florida A&M in 2025 Orange Blossom Classic | Sports

The history of Black college football came alive Saturday evening as Howard University defeated Florida A&M University 10-9 in the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic. 

Before a crowd of 22,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the Howard Bison secured victory with a last-second field goal that capped off one of the most dramatic chapters in the storied tradition of this showcase game.

The win not only represented a defining moment for Howard football but also underscored why the Orange Blossom Classic remains one of the most culturally rich experiences in American sports, where the halftime show, tailgating and pageantry all rival the drama on the gridiron.

Low-scoring battle with storybook ending

The only touchdown of the night came early. In the first quarter, Howard quarterback Tyriq Starks connected with wide receiver CJ Neely for a two-yard score, electrifying the Bison faithful and setting the tone for what would become a defensive slugfest.

Starks’ moment was more than just a touchdown. For the Carol City native, this was a homecoming game in every sense of the word. He grew up only miles from Hard Rock Stadium, but he still remembers it by its old name, Sun Life Stadium.

“This was special,” said Starks afterward. “I grew up right here in Miami Gardens, watching games in this building. To come back and lead my team in the Orange Blossom Classic is something I’ll never forget.”

Starks’ journey to the big stage is the kind of story that resonates deeply in South Florida football circles. He played Optimist football with the Miami Gardens Chiefs, then spent time at Miami Carol City Senior High, one of the region’s most storied football programs. Before his college career, he finished at George Jenkins Senior High School in Lakeland, Fla. Saturday night’s performance felt like a full-circle moment for the young quarterback, who carried the pride of Miami-Dade County with him onto the field.

Bands, tailgates and tradition

For those who’ve never attended the Orange Blossom Classic, the experience is as much about what happens off the field as it is about the game itself. The Marching 100, Florida A&M’s world-renowned band, delivered a performance that alone was worth the price of admission. Their precision, their sound, their energy — it was the heartbeat of the night.

“Listening to the Marching 100, you almost forgot you were at a football game,” said Donovan Parker, a Florida A&M alumnus. “That’s what makes HBCU football unique. The band, the fans, the food — it’s more than a game. It’s culture.”

Outside the stadium, tailgates stretched as far as the eye could see. Smoke from grills lingered in the humid Miami air as alumni, families and fans celebrated a tradition that dates back to the 1930s. The Orange Blossom Classic has always been more than a football game; it’s a celebration of Black excellence, resilience and community.

Coaching debut spoiled

For Florida A&M, the loss stung in more ways than one. The game marked the Orange Blossom Classic debut for head coach James Colzie III, who stepped onto the sidelines with the support of family and friends in attendance.

Colzie, a respected figure in the South Florida football community, admitted to feeling disappointment after the game.

“We had opportunities to finish the game, and we didn’t,” he said. “It hurts because this was a home game for me, too, with so many loved ones here. But we’ll grow from this.”

Despite the loss, Colzie’s Rattlers showed grit and promise, holding Howard to just one touchdown and forcing a tense, nail-biting finish.

What’s next for Florida A&M?

The Rattlers won’t have much time to dwell. Their next matchup is against Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton on Saturday, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. The game will test Florida A&M’s performance against an Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, and it’s a chance for Colzie’s team to bounce back quickly against a well-coached Owls squad. 

This will also be the first-ever matchup between the two programs.

The game will also add another South Florida flavor to the weekend, with FAU’s rise in the American Conference.

The weekend of South Florida football

The Orange Blossom Classic wasn’t the only football storyline in South Florida this past weekend. On Friday night, FIU made history by defeating Bethune-Cookman University, led by former FAMU coach Willie Simmons. It was FIU’s first-ever victory over Bethune-Cookman, marking a milestone for the Panthers program and setting the tone for a weekend packed with action across Miami-Dade County.

But the football feast still wasn’t finished there. On Sunday night, all eyes shifted to Hard Rock Stadium once again, this time for the Miami Hurricanes, who defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a thrilling 27-24 victory. The Hurricanes, looking to cement themselves as contenders on the national stage, carried the weight of tradition and expectation into one of college football’s most storied rivalries.

Why the Orange Blossom Classic matters

Saturday’s game wasn’t just about a field goal or a box score. It was about celebrating a history that runs deep through the soul of Black America. The Orange Blossom Classic, once dubbed the “Black National Championship,” has been a proving ground for legends. From Jake Gaither’s Rattlers of the 1950s and 1960s to today’s stars, the game connects past, present and future.

The attendance of 22,000 marked an increase from last year, a sign that the event continues to grow in visibility and importance. The rise of social media, coupled with renewed national attention on HBCU athletics, has given the Classic new energy and momentum.

For Howard, Saturday’s win will go down in school lore, not just for the dramatic finish but for the cultural moment it represents, giving the program a sense of payback after the 2023 Celebration Bowl. For Florida A&M, the loss will sting, but the legacy of their Marching 100, their fans, and their role in the game’s pageantry remains untouched.

As fans filed out of Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, they carried with them more than just memories of a football game. They left with the sounds of drums, the taste of tailgate barbecue, the sight of Starks throwing a touchdown in his hometown, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than sport still fresh in their minds.

The 2025 Orange Blossom Classic was a showcase of everything that makes HBCU football unique: its culture, pride and family reunion atmosphere. And with Howard’s last-second victory, it reminded the world why this tradition deserves its place on the national stage.

Because here, in Miami Gardens, football isn’t just a game; it’s history in motion. And with the National Championship game being held at Hard Rock Stadium this year, it’s fitting that Black College Football kicked off the season in style.