Month: February 2013

BCU to play Florida State in 2013

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

DSC_0006It was announced on Monday that the Bethune-Cookman football team will faceoff against perennial ACC power Florida State on September 21st in historic Doak Campbell Stadium.

This will be the first ever football matchup between the two universities.

The Wildcats were originally slated to play Central Florida on September 28th; however, UCF opted to withdraw from the game and faceoff against Penn State instead. 

BCU athletic director Lynn Thompson stated he received several invites to fulfill the vacant date.  Included among those was an invitation to play in the 2013 Circle City Classic, but a suitable Division I opponent could not be found.

The 2013 campaign kicks off Labor Day Weekend in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville against Tennessee State.  The Cats return for their home opener on September 7th vs Virginia Union just before facing off against FBS opponents Florida International (Miami, 09/14)  and Florida State (Tallahassee, 09/21).

After a bye-week, the Wildcats will begin MEAC play in Dover against Delaware State (10/5) followed by a showdown with Howard in DC on October 12th. 

4 of their next 5 contests will be held in the friendly confines of Municipal Stadium (Savannah State – 10/19, South Carolina State – 10/26 {homecoming}, Norfolk 11/9, and Hampton 11/16).

Sandwiched in between homecoming and the game with Norfolk is a November 2nd matchup with North Carolina Central in Durham.

As always, the regular season will wrap-up in Orlando in the Florida Classic.

NFL Draft Zone Spotlight: David Blackwell

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David BlackwellDraft Zone Spotlight: David Blackwell, QB/WR, Bethune-Cookman University

When you think of complete football players, if you don’t have David Blackwell in that list then you missed a player.  Blackwell originally signed with Iowa out of school, but would eventually play for Iowa Western a JUCO school.  He was a triple threat for the school and would play WR, QB and LB.  David rushed 33 times for 188 yards and one TD while throwing for 132 yards and one score for Iowa Western which would eventually land him on Bethune Cookman’s roster in Daytona Beach. David played a couple games last year at QB for Bethune and he was a beast at the helm. He threw for a total of 409 yards with three touchdowns on 22-of-38 passing, with only one interception on the year. Last year David played wide out as well.  Keep an eye on this athlete, because he could be a huge asset to some team looking for a dual threat player.

How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision?

I had about 20 offers like LSU, Syracuse, Iowa, UCF, Arkansas, Ole Miss

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for?

It was St. Louis Rams. Player: Torry Holt

At your position, how do you break down film, please inform our readers what you look for when breaking down film?

I peak at pre-snap and post-snap coverage and also look for different techniques and tendencies to determine play.

Continue Reading: http://nfldraftzone.com/?s=david+blackwell

(Baseball) Wildcats earn victory over #16 Arizona State

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SONY DSCWhat a difference a year makes

In Jason Beverlin’s first year as skipper of Bethune-Cookman’s baseball team, the Wildcats looked overmatched when squaring off against Top 25 programs.  Such was not the case this past weekend when the Wildcats faced off against the 16th ranked Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona. 

Junior Righthander Montana Durapau gave the Wildcats a strong outing in Friday’s Opening Night contest.  Durapau yielded just three earned runs while striking out five in seven innings of work.  The Cats were 1 out away from winning Game One (and the series) but surrendered an unearned run in the bottom of the 9th that forced the contest into extra innings. 

The Sun Devils eventually prevailed 5-4 in the 11th inning.

The second game of the series saw the Wildcat bats heat up early but simmer down late.  ASU pulled away for a comfortable 15-7 win in Game 2. 

BCU (1-2) secured its first win of the 2013 campaign in the weekend cap upsetting the Sun Devils 7-6.  2011 MEAC Pitcher of the Year, Scott Garner (1-0) earned the victory going 6 1/3rd, striking out six Sun Devils batters, walking one, while allowing five earned runs.

Senior closer Jordan Dailey entered the contest with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th.  Dailey held ASU scoreless over the final 2.1 innings preserving the victory and earning his first save of the year in the process.

The Biocic brother’s Chris and P.J. scored a pair of runs each in the victory.

Sunday’s win was the Wildcats’ first victory over a Top 25 program since defeating Auburn in 2011.

Beverlin’s squad will look to carry the momentum of Sunday’s victory into Tuesday’s home-opener against the University of North Florida at Jackie Robinson ballpark.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Tampa Jefferson retires Quentin Williams’ number 3 jersey

/ J Bell / 1 Comment
BCU QB Quentin Williams

BCU QB Quentin Williams

Nobody had a season like quarterback Quentin Williams did in 2010.

Nobody broke records like Williams did when he helped lead the Jefferson Dragons to the school’s first state championship.

And now nobody will wear Williams number again.

The team retired Williams’ No. 3 jersey during a ceremony at the Dragons end of the season banquet this past Saturday.

During his senior season, Williams set new state records for season passing touchdowns (56), passing yardage (4,451), as well as career touchdown passes (109). He also broke Tim Tebow’s career passing yardage record. Williams ended up with 10,384.

The Dragons defeated Miami Norland 44-34 for the Class 3A title. The victory capped off a spectacular season for Williams, who went onto Bethune Cookman.

Last season for the Wildcats, Williams played in 10 games and threw for 1,173 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 635 yards and three touchdowns.

Full Story: BayNews9 Sports

NFL Draft Zone Spotlight with BCU’s Dawud Lane

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Dawud Lane shows his support for Aunt Gail (Breast Cancer survivor)

Dawud Lane shows his support for Aunt Gail (Breast Cancer survivor)

Draft Zone Spotlight: Dawud Lane, LB, Bethune-Cookman University

When you watch the Bethune-Cookman games, big Dawud Lane stuck out and was a fierce competitor.  He was a very highly recruited defensive lineman/linebacker which attended Rutgers University in New Jersey.  He has been given a couple nicknames one is “Wood” which is short for Dawud because he lays wood when he plays.  Another one is “Mr. Energy” because he is always fired up.  I talked to one person at Bethune Cookman who said that Dawud would run a 4.5 all day every day at 6’2, 225 pounds.  That is very impressive.  Enough of me talking, check out the linebacker from B-CU.

How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision?

Out of high school I was not that highly recruited maybe 9 or 10 D1-A offers. I made my decision to attend Rutgers originally where I earned my undergrad degree. The reason I went there because as a young man I wanted to stay home in New Jersey and I truly loved the coaching staff at Rutgers. Upon graduating there I still had eligibility so I decided to come down to Bethune Cookman to receive my masters while helping build this program.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for?

That’s an easy one thee Dallas Cowboys, second greatest franchise ever next to the one that picks me up. Real Stars wear Stars and the stadium opens up to allow God the best view. The players I rooted for growing up was Deion Sanders & Lawrence Taylor I loved their showmanship, and ability to take over a game. The passion that LT plays with while rushing the passer and Deion ability to take risk in coverage because of his speed are characteristics I adopted into my game.

At your position, how do you break down film, please inform our readers what you look for when breaking down film?

Breaking down film is at this level of college and the pros are an essential aspect to being productive. At Rutgers the coaches would do detailed breakdowns of tendencies and third down plays in which at BCU we did not have the man power to do so. Thus I took it upon myself to study route combinations that coincide with down and distance to gain an advantage defensively. After taking a couple days studying that you move into o line stances to get run/pass reads and then gun mechanics as far as the QB and alignment for the Wide receivers, now there are plenty more but I have to preserve my career.

Click here to read on: http://nfldraftzone.com/draft-news/draft-zone-spotlight-dawud-lane-lb-bethune-cookman-university/

BCU signs 24 high school and junior college players

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SONY DSCBethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins announced the signing of 24 student-athletes on National Signing Day.

Jenkins stated the goal of this recruiting class was to “build a new team” and “create depth and competition at every position”.

The 2013 class includes: 9 offensive and defensive linemen; 6 wide receivers; 4 running backs, 2 quarterbacks, 1 athlete, and 1 linebacker.

Defensive Lineman Jamal Cooper (Coahoma Community College), Punter/Place Kicker, Johnathan Cagle (Pensacola Pine Forest HS), and running backs Nate Pryor (Sebastian River HS) and Jamaruz Thompkins (Tampa Bay Tech HS) were among those whom Coach Jenkins mentioned as having the potential to make immediate impacts. 

Quarterback Larry Brihm (Delray Beach Village Academy) and wide receiver Frank Brown (Palm Beach Gardens) were the top performers at their positions in talent rich Palm Beach County in 2012.  In addition to Brihm and Brown, BCU also landed speedy and athletic Werley Placide (linebacker) from Boca Raton Olympic HS. The Palm Beach Post referenced BCU’s nabbing of the trio as a bit of a coup d’état for Brian Jenkins and his staff.

The Wildcats landed two local high school standouts in former Mainland High School quarterback Shelton Willis and reigning 8A State Champions Apopka High’s Dazzie Morris.

Four players from Jacksonville Raines signed with BCU all of whom are listed as wide receivers.

This is a deep class of signees who possess a great mix of size, speed, and athleticism.  Several of the signees selected the Daytona Beach institution over larger FBS programs which is a true testament to the growth of the BCU football program. 

2013 Bethune-Cookman Football Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

Darian Baker WR 5-10 174 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Larry Brihm QB 6-0 210 Delray Beach, Fla./Village Academy

Frank Brown WR 5-11 176 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens HS

Johnathan Cagle P/K 6-3 175 Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS

Jamal Cooper DL 6-4 280 Memphis, Tenn./Kirby HS/Coahoma CC

Jawill Davis WR 6-0 170 Miami, Fla./American HS

Terique Debois OL 6-3 310 Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem HS/Lackawanna CC

Jamal Dozier WR 6-1 160 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Andrew Edouard OL 6-0 290 Philadelphia, Pa./Overbrook HS/Lackawanna CC

Atreyu Farrior ATH 6-1 180 Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen HS

Anthony Green DT 6-1 245 Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson HS

Uriah Horne OG 6-3 260 McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing HS

William Koen III OL 6-4 250 Lawrenceville, Ga./Mountain View HS

Dazzie Morris OG 6-2 260 Apopka, Fla./Apopka HS

Dre’Sean Nelson RB 5-8 160 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS

Phillip Norman OG 6-4 280 Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River HS

Larry Overstreet RB 6-0 200 Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh HS/Fresno City College

Nathaniel Pryor RB 5-9 180 Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River HS

Dishawn Ray DT 6-4 305 Jesup, Ga./Wayne County HS

Bruce Seymore WR 6-2 171 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Jamaruz Thompkins RB 5-10 185 Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech

Devonte Washington WR 6-2 178 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Shelton Willis QB 6-0 165 Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland HS

Lastest Update of BCU’s 2013 Football Signees (3:20 PM EST)

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http://www.bcuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=206284483&DB_OEM_ID=23910.

Brian Jenkins is having a whale of a day.  Here is a look at BCU’s recruiting class as of 12:45 PM.  BCU Athletics will continue to update the list of 2013 football signees throughout the day.  Click the link above to access BCU’s Signing Day Central.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

Darian Baker WR 5-10 174 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Larry Brihm QB 6-0 210 Delray Beach, Fla./Village Academy

Frank Brown WR 5-11 176 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens HS

Johnathan Cagle P/K 6-3 175 Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS

Jamal Cooper DL 6-4 280 Memphis, Tenn./Kirby HS/Coahoma CC

Jawill Davis WR 6-0 170 Miami, Fla./American HS

Terique Debois OL 6-3 310 Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem HS/Lackawanna CC

Andrew Edouard OL 6-0 290 Philadelphia, Pa./Overbrook HS/Lackawanna CC

Atreyu Farrior ATH 6-1 180 Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen HS

Anthony Green DT 6-1 245 Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson HS

Uriah Horne OG 6-3 260 McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing HS

William Koen III OL 6-4 250 Lawrenceville, Ga./Mountain View HS

Dazzie Morris OG 6-2 260 Apopka, Fla./Apopka HS

Dre’Sean Nelson ATH 6-0 185 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS

Phillip Norman OG 6-4 270 Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River HS

Larry Overstreet RB 6-0 200 Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh HS/Fresno City College)

Nathaniel Pryor RB 5-9 180 Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River HS

Dishawn Ray DT 6-4 305 Jesup, Ga./Wayne County HS

Bruce Seymore WR 6-2 171 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Jamaruz Thompkins RB 5-10 185 Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech

Devonte Washington WR 6-2 178 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Shelton Willis QB 6-0 165 Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland HS