Month: November 2012

Most memorable Florida Classic Moments

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In less than 24 hours, the Florida A&M Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats will meet in the 33rd Florida Blue Florida Classic.  The contest has grown into one of the premier HBCU showcases attracting over one and half million fans since its inception in 1978.  The two teams have combined for eleven (11) conference titles during that same timeframe and have created many memorable moments in this annual showdown.

Players and coaches from both teams will surely seek to create their own magical Florida Classic moment when the two teams square off Saturday at 2:00 in the Citrus Bowl.  FAMU coach Earl Holmes, who is a former Rattler player, was asked about his favorite Florida Classic moment at today’s Kickoff Luncheon.  Coach Holmes replied “ask me that same question after tomorrow’s game”.  With that in mind, here are some of the most memorable Florida Classic moments.

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

1978 – Florida A&M trailed BCU 17-0 at halftime but rallied to a 27-17 victory.  Rudy Hubbard’s squad went on to win the 1-AA (now FCS) National Championship that season.

1994 – BCU QB Tony Kerrin connected with Morris Nobles on a 2 yard TD reception in the corner of the endzone to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead with :47remaining in the contest.  BCU went on to win by the same margin and coach Cy McClairen earned his first victory over the Rattlers as a head coach.

2003 – Daytona Beach native and current Chicago Bear, Eric Weems, scored 3 touchdowns and helped the Wildcats rally from a 28-10 halftime deficit. The final touchdown was set up by a fake punt attempt on 4th and 17 with less than 2:00 remaining in the contest.  A FAMU player was flagged for pass interference on the fake punt and BCU was awarded an automatic first down.

Later in the drive quarterback Allen Suber avoided a sack, rolled to his right, and hit Weems who beat triple coverage just beyond the pylon with 9 seconds remaining in the game. BCU prevailed 39-35 in front of the largest crowd (73,358) in Florida Classic history.

2004 – Florida Classic fans were treated to the first overtime in the history of the series;  Wildcats fans were treated with a 58-52 win.

FAMU’s Ben Dougherty (QB) and Roosevelt Kiser (WR) had career days in that contest.  Midway through the third quarter, Dougherty connected with Kiser on a 66 yard TD reception and extended FAMU’s lead to 45-24.

Head coach Alvin Wyatt then made the decision to move former NFL All-Pro defensive back Nick Collins from safety to cornerback with the assignment of blanketing Kiser.  The move proved to be very effective for the maroon and gold.  The FAMU passing game was severely limited as a result of the coaching decision and the Wildcats outscored FAMU 34-7 from that point forward.  Rodney Johnson’s 15 yard touchdown run in overtime sealed the victory for BCU.

Coach Wyatt was so overcome with emotion that he fainted (due to dehydration) and had to be carted off by medical personnel.

Not only was the 2004 victory the first overtime win in Florida Classic history, it was also the first time that BCU secured three consecutive victories over its arch-rival.

Wildcats enter The SportsNetwork Top 25

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BCU entered the Sports Network Top 25 rankings for the first time this season.  The Wildcats are currently ranked 24th in The Sports Network poll and 1st in the Heritage Sports Radio Network Black College Football poll.

The Sports Network FCS Top 25
College Football Poll
 
Team (First-place votes) 2012 Record Points Previous Rank
1. North Dakota State Bison (121) 9-1 3930 1
2. Montana State Bobcats (20) 9-1 3748 2
3. Sam Houston State Bearkats (14) 8-2 3585 3
4. Old Dominion Monarchs (3) 9-1 3496 4
5. Eastern Washington Eagles 8-2 3362 5
6. Georgia Southern Eagles 8-2 3113 7
7. New Hampshire Wildcats (1) 8-2 2897 10
8. Appalachian State Mountaineers 8-3 2659 12
9. Wofford Terriers 8-2 2502 13
10. Central Arkansas Bears 8-2 2341 14
11. Illinois State Redbirds 8-2 2094 15
12. Stony Brook Seawolves 9-2 1917 6
13. James Madison Dukes 7-3 1885 9
14. Lehigh Mountain Hawks 9-1 1843 8
15. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 8-2 1594 11
16. Villanova Wildcats 7-3 1477 21
17. Cal Poly Mustangs 8-2 1354 19
18. Indiana State Sycamores 7-3 1294 18
19. Towson Tigers 6-4 1251 17
20. Richmond Spiders 7-3 1153 20
21. South Dakota State Jackrabbits 7-3 1046 16
22. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 8-3 750 22
23. Tennessee State Tigers 8-2 450 24
24. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 8-2 423 NR
24. Eastern Illinois Panthers 7-3 423 NR
Others receiving votes: Colgate 213, Samford 200, Albany 136, Sacramento State 90, UT Martin 75, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 52, Harvard 43, Youngstown State 40, Wagner 29, McNeese State 28, Northern Iowa 22, Lilberty 21, The Citadel 20, Delaware 17, Southern Utah 16, Penn 15, Southern Illinois 13, Chattanooga 7, Coastal Carolina 3, Alabama A&M 3, Alabama State 2, Drake 2, North Carolina A&T 2, San Diego 1, Jacksonville 1

FCS Playoff Picture

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The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are MEAC Champions for the second time in three years.  But unlike 2010 when the Wildcats joined South Carolina State and Florida A&M as league co-champions, the 2012 crown will not be shared.  This year’s Championship is the Cats’ first outright title since 2002.

BCU now owns 5 MEAC crowns and 11 conference championships all-time. (The Wildcats won 6 SIAC titles before joining the MEAC in 1979.) 

Possible 1st round matchups

Here is what we know: the Wildcats are headed to the 2012 FCS playoffs; and Bethune-Cookman has submitted a bid to host a first round game.  Who BCU faces and whether or not the Cats will be awarded a home game are still anyone’s guess.  The mystery will be revealed next Sunday morning when the field of 20 is announced.  We should probably refrain from speculating on who the Wildcats will face and just allow things the sort themselves out but that would be no fun. 

So let’s take a look at the most probable first round matchups based on what we know today.

Keep in mind that 12 playoff bound teams receive a first round bye; the FCS playoff committee ranks the top 5 seeds; and  teams are matched based on things such as geographic proximity.  With that in mind, the Cats are not expected to receive a first round bye and will very likely face one of the following teams in the opening round.

Wofford (Spartanburg, SC) is looking like a very probable matchup for BCU.  The Terriers, along with Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, are co-champions of the Southern Conference.  All three teams appear to be locks to make the field of 20.  In fact, Appalachian State (Boone, NC) could also be a potential first round foe.  The Wildcats will certainly have to hit the road if matched against App State as the Mountaineers almost always host their first game of the playoffs.

Coastal Carolina (Conway, SC) will likely end the season tied for first place in the Big South with Liberty and Stony Brook.  The Chanticleers will receive the conference’s automatic bid if the three teams finish the season tied for first.  Interestingly, Coastal and Bethune played one common opponent this year (North Carolina A&T) and the margin of victory was the same for both (+16 points).

Stony Brook entered the weekend ranked 6th in the Sports Network FCS poll but suffered a defeat to conference foe Liberty.  If (and that’s a big if) Stony Brook receives an at-large berth, they could very well be matched against BCU in the first round.

This week’s Tennessee State/UT-Martin (Ohio Valley) matchup is an unofficial playoff game for both teams.  The loser is definitely out of the mix.   The winner, however, could secure one of the final at-large slots and may be pitted against the Wildcats on Thanksgiving weekend.

Colonial Athletic teams James Madison, Towson, Villanova, and Richmond are all sitting on the proverbial playoff bubble and either of whom could be matched against Brian Jenkins’ squad in the opening round. 

Thank goodness we will not have to speculate much longer.  Post season play begins in less than two weeks but first things first.

The Wildcats tangle with arch-rival FAMU in Saturday’s Florida Blue Florida Classic in Orlando.  BCU will look to complete their first ever undefeated MEAC season in the regular season finale.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Week 11 MEAC Review

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MEAC SATURDAY FOOTBALL WEEKENDER
Bethune-Cookman clinches MEAC title; Rattlers edge NCCU under new coach; Delaware State, Norfolk, A&T all win Saturday 

Alvin Hollins Jr.

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Rockstat7376@aol.com

NOVEMBER 10 – The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats won their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in three years Saturday, with a crushing road victory at Savannah State, dashing the remaining co-championship hopes of several teams.

The Wildcats (7-0, 8-2) locked up the title with a 49-7 win at Savannah State (0-7, 1-9), leaving them just one game shy of a perfect conference record. B-CU has also punched its’ ticket to the NCAA Division FCS playoffs.

Meanwhile, Florida A&M (4-3, 4-6) scored late to edge visiting North Carolina Central (5-2, 6-4), 22-21, winning their first game under interim head coach Earl “Hitman” Holmes at Homecoming in Bragg Stadium.

In other conference action Saturday, Delaware State (5-2, 6-4) pulled into a three-way tie for second with NCCU and Howard University, with a 35-27 win over visiting Hampton (2-5, 2-7) at Dover, Delaware; North Carolina A&T (4-3, 6-4) rallied past visiting South Carolina State (3-4, 4-6), 17-7 at Greensboro, N.C.; Norfolk State (2-6, 4-7) finished their disappointing season after winning the 2011 MEAC title, with a 30-0 whitewash of visiting Morgan State (2-5, 3-7), at Norfolk, Va.

In the lone non-conference affair Saturday, Howard University (5-2, 6-4) was bashed by nationally-ranked Georgia Southern (8-2), 69-26 at Statesboro, Ga.

The New Pecking Order…
Bethune-Cookman (7-0) has locked up the conference title and the automatic NCAA Division I FCS playoff bid…. The race will now be for second as North Carolina Central (5-2), Howard (5-2), and Delaware State (5-2) will go down to next weekend to determine which two of them will finish behind B-CU…

Next Weekend’s Schedule
The final Saturday of the regular season is pretty much Rivalry Weekend, highlighted by Bethune-Cookman against Florida A&M in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Florida Classic in Orlando, to be nationally televised on ESPN Classic at 2:30 p.m.

The remainder of the schedule features Hampton at Morgan State (1:00); Delaware State at Howard (1:00); Savannah State at South Carolina State (1:30); and North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central (2:00).

MEAC Random Shots
@ Bethune-Cookman (7-0) hopes to complete a perfect conference season next week against rival FAMU, which spoiled their hopes of a perfect season in 2010….

@ Two of three teams will finish second behind Bethune-Cookman: Delaware State, Howard and North Carolina Central (5-2)… DelState visits Howard, while NCCU hosts Triad rival North Carolina A&T in the Aggie-Eagle Classic.

@ Wins by Delaware State and North Carolina A&T Saturday clinched winning seasons for both squads, allowing them to join Howard and North Carolina Central in the club of teams who finished under .500 overall a year ago.

@ Bethune-Cookman, along with the quartet of DSU, Howard, A&T and NCCU officially flipped the script in the MEAC, as all five teams are led by coaches in their second or third years, while veteran-led programs like FAMU, Hampton, South Carolina State, Morgan State and Norfolk State suffered a reversal of fortune in 2012.

@ Florida A&M (4-3, 4-6) won its’ first game under interim head coach Earl Holmes, one of the school’s all-time great linebackers, and formerly the defensive coordinator… Holmes was tabbed to replace the 30-year head coaching veteran Joe Taylor on Wednesday of this week, after Taylor was placed on administrative leave… Taylor will still retire following the season with 233 career victories…

MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Thru Saturday, November 10, 2012
School ……………………….. Conference / Overall
Bethune-Cookman ………………… 7-0 1.000 / 8-2 .800
Delaware State ………..……………. 5-2 .714 / 6-4 .600
Howard University …….…………… 5-2 .714 / 6-4 .600
North Carolina Central …….……. 5-2 .714 / 6-4 .600
^North Carolina A&T ………..…… 4-3 .571 / 6-4 .600
Florida A&M ………..………………… 4-3 .571 / 4-6 .400
South Carolina State .…….……… 3-4 .428 / 4-6 .400
Morgan State ………………………… 2-5 .285 / 3-7 .300
^Hampton …………………………….. 2-5 .285 / 2-7 .222
Norfolk State ………………………… 2-6 .250 / 4-7 .363
Savannah State ………..…………… 0-7 .000 / 1-9 .100
^-Ineligible for 2012 title

Saturday’s Scoreboard
*Delaware State 35, Hampton 27
*Norfolk State 30, Morgan State 0
*North Carolina A&T 17, South Carolina State 7
#Georgia Southern 69, Howard 26
*Florida A&M 22, North Carolina Central 21
*Bethune-Cookman 49, Savannah State 7
(*)-Conference Games

Next Week’s Schedule
*Hampton at Morgan State, 1:00
*Delaware State at Howard, 1:00
*Savannah State at South Carolina State, 1:30
*North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central, 2:00
*Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M (Orlando), 2:30 (ESPN Classic)
(*)-Conference Games

BCU 2012 MEAC Champs

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SAVANNAH, Ga. — Quentin Williams threw two touchdown passes and ran for 121 of Bethune-Cookman’s 377 rushing yards as the Wildcats beat Savannah State 49-7 Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

BCU’s win coupled with North Carolina Central’s 22-21 loss to Florida A&M sealed the 2012 MEAC Championship for the Wildcats. Congratulations to the 2012 Wildcats for securing Bethune-Cookman’s 2nd MEAC title in 3 years and the Cat’s first outright title since 2002. 

Williams completed 9 of 12 passes for 103 yards and threw touchdown passes of 11 and 36 yards. His second touchdown, a strike to David Blackwell, gave Bethune-Cookman a 35-0 halftime lead.

Isidore Jackson finished with 100 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries for Bethune-Cookman (8-2, 7-0).  Jackson is needs just 82 yards to reach 1,000 rushing on the season.  Rodney Scott posted 51 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and Brodrick Waters tallied 47 yards on six carries.

Savannah State (1-9, 0-7) got on the board midway through the third quarter when Cornel Weston recovered a fumble in the end zone. But Waters scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to create the final margin.

Bethune-Cookman smothered Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostick all game, forcing three interceptions and recording four sacks.

BCU/ Savannah State Preview

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Savannah-It’s been almost four weeks since Savannah State coach Steve Davenport suspended eight players. Only one has returned to the roster.  But since the date of the suspensions, whether a coincidence or not, the Tigers have been playing their best football.

Savannah State gets another chance to test its recent improvement when it meets Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-leading Bethune-Cookman at T.A. Wright Stadium today at 5 p.m.

It’s the last home game of the season for the Tigers. SSU (1-8, 0-6 MEAC) will finish the season on the road in Orangeburg, S.C., against South Carolina State on Nov. 17.

Bethune-Cookman (7-2, 6-0 MEAC), ranked 22nd in the FCS Coaches top 25 poll, can clinch the MEAC’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs with a win today.

Davenport would like to see the day when the Tigers are in a similar position as the Wildcats, but right now he had to clear up some fundamental issues.

“I think we all had to take a step back and recognize this (SSU football program) is something to be respected,” Davenport said. “It’s a blessing for me to be the head coach, for my staff to be coaches here and the players to be players here.”

Read more: http://savannahnow.com/sports/2012-11-09/savannah-state-football-team-hoping-end-home-slate-positive-note

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. 

Web Stream: Savannah State ($6) | Radio: CatEye Network on WELE 1380: Listen Online

Joe Taylor resigns immediately

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Florida A&M head coach Joe Taylor has coached his final game for the Rattlers.  Taylor originally announced he would retire at the end of the season, but after meeting with FAMU athletic director Derek Horne on Wednesday, the legendary head coach decided to retire from the coaching ranks effective immediately.

Former FAMU standout and current defensive coordinator, Earl Homes, will serve as the interim head coach when the Rattlers face North Carolina Central for homecoming this week and in next week’s end of the season showdown against Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic.

Joe Taylor’s 233 career wins ranks him third all-time amongst HBCU coaches.  His .648 winning percentage during his FAMU tenure ranks him ahead of noteworthy FAMU coaches Rudy Hubbard (.630) and Ken Riley (.561); and virtually ties him with Billy Joe (.651).   Under his leadership, FAMU shared the 2010 MEAC conference crown with Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State; the Rattlers received recognition in 2009 for having the MEAC’s most significant APR improvement; the football program was stabilized after coming off of NCAA probation; and ESPN College Gameday broadcasted their first ever telecast from an HBCU campus.

Despite his on the field and off the field accomplishments in Tallahassee, Taylor never seemed to live up to the expectations of the Rattler faithful.  Taylor is 0-5 against FAMU’s historical rivals Howard, Southern, Tennessee State, and Bethune-Cookman since the middle of last season.  

I have no insight on the inner-workings of the FAMU athletic department, nor am I suggesting that coach Taylor was the best man to advance FAMU football.  Having said that, Joe Taylor is by all accounts a genuinely great man and he is a legendary HBCU football coach.  He earned the right to receive a more dignified ending to his illustrious career.  Unfortunately for him, he was not giving the honor to bow out gracefully.

Godspeed Coach Taylor.  Thank you for your contribution to HBCU football and for shaping the lives of hundreds of young men.

Wildcats Coach Jenkins Reprimanded for Unsportsmanlike Conduct – MEACsports.com – The Official Site of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

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NORFOLK, Virginia – Bethune-Cookman head football coach Brian Jenkins has been formally reprimanded by Commissioner Dennis Thomas for displaying unsportsmanlike conduct during the Wildcats football game against Morgan State on Saturday, November 3.

Commissioner Thomas said in a statement on Monday that “the conference expects all student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff to demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during and after all athletic events.”

In addition to the reprimand, Coach Jenkins will be fined an undisclosed amount.  No additional penalties will be issued on this matter.

Cats hold on for a 24-13 win over Morgan State

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Baltimore–Bethune-Cookman survived the cold weather and a feisty Morgan State squad to improve to 6-0 in MEAC play.

BCU’s defense limited the Bears to 197 yards of total offense and held the conference’s leading rusher, Travis Davidson, to 46 yards on the ground on 17 carries.

MSU opened the game’s scoring on a 1 play, 4 yard touchdown drive 6 minutes into the contest.  The drive started after Quentin Williams was stripped from behind and fumbled inside the Wildcat s 5 yard line.

The Wildcats responded with a 13 play, 71 yard drive that ended with a 24 yard Sven Hurd field goal. 

BCU took their first lead of the game (10-7) when Quentin Williams hit Eddie Poole in the back of the endzone for a 5 yard TD reception.  The Cats did not have to travel far for the go-ahead score.  Dawud Lane intercepted a Robert Council pass and returned it to the Bear’s 8-yard line.  Williams hit Poole 5 plays later for the score.  Lane’s interception extended BCU’s consecutive game with an interception streak to 16.

On Morgan State’s next possession, BCU defensive back Dion Hanks was ejected for striking a Morgan State player.  Coach Brian Jenkins vehemently disagreed with the official’s ruling, received 2 consecutive unsportsmanlike penalties for excessively protesting and was subsequently ejected from the game himself.

The NCAA does not officially track ejections, but NCAA representatives said Jenkins could be the first head football coach ever ejected from a college football game.

Morgan State tied the contest at 10-10 on a 32 yard Earvin Gonzalez field goal just before halftime.

The Wildcats took advantage of a Morgan State special teams miscue to begin the second half.  MSU fumbled the 3rd quarter kickoff and 5 plays later, quarterback Brock Waters scored on a 6 yard TD run to give the Wildcats a 17-10 lead.

Gonzalez kicked his 2nd field goal of the contest, this time a 38 yarder, which cut the BCU lead to 17-13 early in the 4th quarter.  However, the Bears could get no closer. 

Junior running back Isidore Jackson, who finished the contest with 111 yards rushing on 19 attempts, quelled any lingering thoughts of a Morgan State upset when he raced 19 yards for the game’s final score with just over 2:00 left in the contest. 

Dawud Lane led the BCU defense with 6 tackles, an interception, and a blocked field goal. 

The Wildcats travel to Savannah, Georgia next week to take on Savannah State Tigers.  Kickoff is scheduled for  5:00 p.m.