Coach Pete Adrian and his Norfolk State Spartans came to Municipal Stadium looking for their first ever victory over Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.  The Spartans left the World Most Famous Beach on Saturday evening on the wrong end of a 48-3 woodshed beating. 

The 48 points was Bethune’s highest scoring output of the season and the most points the Wildcats have scored since defeating Savannah State 59-3 in November last season.

Redshirt freshman quarterback, Quentin Williams, finished the afternoon with a career high 157 yards passing completing 9 of 11 attempts with 2 touchdowns.  Fellow quarterback, Brock Waters, finished the contest with a team high 103 yards rushing.  Waters also hooked up with Jhomo Gordon on a 13 yard touchdown strike midway through the 4^th quarter.

The Wildcats raced out to an early 7-0 lead after taking the opening possession 75 yards on 16 plays.  The drive culminated with a 5 yard Quentin Williams to Eddie Poole touchdown reception.  Poole out-leaped defensive back Natturner Harris in the corner of the endzone to secure the catch. 

“I give credit to KJ (Stroud) for that touchdown reception” Poole stated.  “KJ set the play up when he saw the coverage and he actually switched sides with me.  I just told Quentin to lob the ball up and I would go and get it.  I definitely feel that anytime there is one-on-one coverage, I should and I will win that match-up”.

KJ Stroud’s generosity was rewarded early in the second quarter when Williams hit the senior receiver on a 28 yard leaping touchdown reception.

The two passing touchdowns sandwiched a 69 yard DJ Howard fumble return for a touchdown. Isidore Jackson added two rushing touchdowns in the 2^nd quarter to stretch BCU’s lead to 34-0.    Everett Goldberg put Norfolk State on the board with a 33 yard field goal late in the second quarter. 

Brodrick Waters scored on an 8 yard run with 6:54 remaining in the 3^rd quarter and hooked up with Jhomo Gordon on a 13 yard pass with 6:58 left in the contest.

Coming into the contest, NSU boasted the 3^rd ranked defense in the nation yielding just 270 yards per game.  The Wildcats surpassed the 270 yard mark by halftime outgaining the Spartans 271 yards to 72 yards through the first two quarters and 435 yards to 239 yards in the game.

The Wildcat defense stretched their consecutive game with an interception streak to 14.  The defense forced 3 Norfolk State turnovers in total. Donald Smith led Wildcat defenders with 6 tackles including 1 tackle-for-loss.

“It was a tremendous team victory” coach Jenkins remarked.  “It is difficult to keep your momentum and focus after a bye-week and our players should be commended”.   “We had some miscues that we need to address but this was the most complete game of the season for us”.  Coach Jenkins ended his postgame press conference stating that his heart goes out to Norfolk State Head Coach and former BCU defensive coordinator Pete Adrian.  Coach Jenkins would not elaborate on the specifics but he did state that the veteran coach was faced with some things that are very tough right now and that his prayers are with him.

Bethune’s victory sets-up a huge battle for first place next week with North Carolina Central.  BCU and NCCU are the only remaining unbeatens in conference play.  Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 in Daytona Beach.

Scoring SummaryFIRST QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 08:20 Eddie Poole 5 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 7

 TD 03:41 D.J. Howard 69 Yd Fumble Return (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 14

SECOND QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 12:37 KJ Stroud 28 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 21

 TD 08:26 Isidore Jackson 33 Yd Run (Pat Failed)  0 27

 TD 01:13 Isidore Jackson 1 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 34

 FG 00:05 Everett Goldberg 33 Yd  3 34

THIRD QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 06:54 Brodrick Waters 8 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)  3 41

FOURTH QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 06:58 Jhomo Gordon 13 Yd Pass From Brodrick Waters (Sven Hurd Kick)  3 48