The FAMU Rattlers are set to face off against the Howard University Bison in the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic (OBC), scheduled to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. This matchup marks a return to the original teams that met in the inaugural game of the Orange Blossom Classic in 1933, where FAMU secured a 9-0 victory over Howard.
The Orange Blossom Classic had been the longest running HBCU Classic and was considered the Black National Champion game before it ended in 1978.
After a 43-year hiatus, the Orange Blossom Classic made its triumphant return to Miami Gardens in 2021. The revived event saw FAMU and Jackson State University compete in the first three years of the reborn OBC. However, both teams opted out of last year's game leaving Alabama State and North Carolina Central to pick up the slack.
The 2025 matchup between FAMU and Howard University is expected to draw a large crowd, as it’s a celebration of the rich legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the world of college football. This year's edition is expected to take place on Saturday, August 30th and will be televised on one of the ESPN family of networks.
The Hard Rock Stadium, known for hosting major sporting events, will again provide a spectacular backdrop for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
As the countdown to the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic begins, both teams are gearing up for an intense competition. And, organizers are setting the stage for FAMU and Howard University to add another thrilling chapter to the Orange Blossom Classic's storied history.