TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida A&M football team committed seven turnovers in Saturday's loss to South Carolina State, and head coach Alex Wood held nothing back after the game.
Wood said the penalties and turnovers were caused by a lack of discipline, and if he cut all the players responsible, he wouldn't have a team. He cited the immaturity of his team as to why many athletes weren't phased by the loss.
While he noted that his feelings weren't a blanket statement, he said that many players "aren't very good. Plain and simple. They can't play."
On Monday, a joint statement from Wood and Athletic Director Milton Overton was released in response to Wood's comments.
"Every win and every loss we amass together as a team of coaches, administrators and student-athletes. Our collective performance must and will improve to match the passion, energy and support the Rattler Nation brings to every game. We believe in the young men who chose to play and fight for Florida A&M University on the gridiron, and we will continue to work to give them the tools and guidance that they need to win in the classroom, on the field, and in life. This commitment to our student-athletes is unwavering. After a long, disappointing battle against the South Carolina State Bulldogs, uncharacteristic statements were made, fueled by the emotion of the moment, but today we turn the page on yesterday and focus our attention on our next opponent and the daily process of building a top caliber program. We will never quit in our efforts to return to greatness.
"We have never seen a defeated Rattler and know we never will. Strike on!"
The Rattlers return to action Saturday when they host Savannah State. Kickoff is at 6:00.
