BCU Fans looking for a short-term investment opportunity this week may want to consider the following: 7-3-6. According to the Florida Lottery’s website, Cash 3 players short-term investors using these numbers have a 1:1000 chance of winning the daily grand prize. For those that receive no return on their investment, consider yours 1 of the more than $22 billion donated to education; or perhaps you should consider your investment an honorarium on behalf of NCAA Approving Rule (A.R.) 7-3-6, that is to say NCAA football Rule 7, Section 3, Article 6, subsections IX, XII, XIII.

A.R. 7-3-6 is the Rule that was cited and allowed replay officials to overturn Hampton receiver Isiah Thomas’ apparent game-winning touchdown catch as time expired. BCU survived with a 35-31 victory over Hampton. Wildcat fans can take consolation in the fact that the game officials got the call right. The rule (specifically subsections IX, XII, and XIII) states that an airborne receiver must maintain control of the ball while going to the ground, when he hits the ground, and after hitting the ground. http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/FR12.pdf (page 164). Here’s an excerpt:

IX. “Airborne receiver A85 grasps a forward pass and in the process of going to the ground, first contacts the ground with his left foot as he falls to the ground inbounds. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground, the ball comes loose and touches the ground. RULING: Incomplete pass. An airborne receiver must maintain control of the ball while going to the ground in the process of completing a catch”.

XII. “Receiver A85 stretches out at the Team B two-yard line and grasps a forward pass and is going to the ground on his own as he is attempting to complete the catch. As A85 falls to the ground in the end zone, the ball immediately comes loose and falls to the ground. RULING: Incomplete pass. Any receiver going to the ground on his own in the process of making a catch must maintain control of the ball when he hits the ground”.

XIII. “Receiver A85 is airborne in the end zone and grasps a forward pass, but while airborne he is hit by a defender, which causes A85 to fall to the ground. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground, the ball comes loose and strikes the ground. RULING: Incomplete pass. An airborne receiver contacted before completing all the requirements of a catch must still maintain control of the ball after hitting the ground”.

The video evidence clearly shows that the Hampton receiver was airborne and that he did not maintain possession after hitting the ground. The ruling of incomplete pass was absolutely correct. It is a tough way to lose if you are a Pirate fan, but kudos to the officials for getting the call right.

Sweet Relief

Jackie Wilson replaced Jamarr Robinson at quarterback with just over 3:00 remaining in the 3rd quarter. He ended the night completing 5 of his 6 pass attempts with 2 touchdowns. Eddie Poole –who muscled the ball away from Hampton corner back Kambrell McGee in the corner of the endzone- was the recipient of Wilson’s 2nd td toss. The play capped an 80-yard touchdown drive that proved to be the game winner. The Wildcat offense outscored Hampton’s offense 21-0 in the second half.

Rodney Scott had his best statistical game as a BCU football player. Scott racked up 176 yards of total offense (126 rushing and 30 receiving) including a spectacular 33 yard td catch and run in which he broke three tackles in route to the endzone.

Other Memorable finishes at Municipal Stadium

• 1998- BCU set an NCAA record defeating Virginia State (VSU) 63-57 in the 8th overtime session. The most memorable moment in that game occurred in the 7th overtime when Wildcat defensive tackle Damion Cook returned a blocked field goal attempt 60 plus yards for a certain game winning touchdown. However, Cook’s attempted celebratory dive in to the endzone fell just short. Cook landed at the VSU 1 yard line and earned the nickname “Big-Dive” as a result of the play. Cook went on to enjoy 5 seasons as an NFL player.
• 2001- A controversial clipping call on a Rashean Mathis 4th quarter punt return  touchdown negated a Wildcat go ahead score against eventual MEAC champion NC A&T. The homecoming jubilation of 16,725 Wildcat fans was spoiled as the Aggies went on to win the contest 16-14.

Team Stat Comparison

	Hampton	Bethune-Cook.
1st Downs	19	21
3rd down efficiency	7-18	6-12
4th down efficiency	2-3	1-2
Total Yards	417	414
Passing	225	154
Comp-Att	14-29	13-21
Yards per pass	7.8	7.3
Rushing	192	260
Rushing Attempts	46	48
Yards per rush	4.2	5.4
Penalties	12-107	10-69
Turnovers	0	3
Fumbles lost	0	2
Interceptions thrown	0	1
Possession	28:36	31:24

 

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER				HAMP	COOK
	TD	09:27	David Allen 8 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)	0	7
	FG	05:38	Taurean Durham 20 Yd	3	7
	TD	04:59	David Allen 1 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)	3	14
	TD	01:50	Isaiah Thomas 50 Yd Pass From David Legree (Taurean Durham Kick)	10	14
SECOND QUARTER				HAMP	COOK
	TD	03:47	David Legree 3 Yd Run (Taurean Durham Kick)	17	14
	TD	01:26	David Legree 37 Yd Run (Taurean Durham Kick)	24	14
THIRD QUARTER				HAMP	COOK
	TD	11:28	Eddie Poole 6 Yd Pass From David Allen (Sven Hurd Kick)	24	21
	TD	00:37	Rodney Scott 33 Yd Pass From Jackie Wilson (Sven Hurd Kick)	24	28
FOURTH QUARTER				HAMP	COOK
	TD	09:15	Jeremy Jermin 20 Yd Interception Return (Taurean Durham Kick)	31	28
	TD	02:50	Eddie Poole 13 Yd Pass From Jackie Wilson (Sven Hurd Kick)	31	35