Bradford Gillens | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Examiner|
When the 2013 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff pairings were announced last Sunday on ESPNU, of the 24 teams selected, three of them (Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State, Tennessee State) were from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It was the first time three HBCU’s had been selected for the postseason since 1999 (FAMU, Hampton, Tenn. State). Bethune-Cookman won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s automatic berth, while South Carolina State (MEAC) and Tennessee State (Ohio Valley) were selected as at-large participants.
During the regular season, those teams forge some of the most intense rivalries in FCS football but once the playoffs begin, it’s not uncommon to hear coaches from opposing teams rooting for their HBCU brethren to do well in the tournament.
For head coach Brian Jenkins of Bethune-Cookman, he was extremely excited to see all three schools make the field of 24.
“I think it would speak volumes about the direction of where HBCU football is headed, Jenkins said. We play football just like every other school and because of our establishment I don’t think that should be taken into any type of consideration when you look at the brand of football.”
hailwildcats.com 
Congratulations on making the playoffs Wildcats and good luck this Saturday against Coastal Carolina. If you make it past the Chanticleers, we welcome all of your fans who make the long trip to Montana. While the weather might be a bit cold (the forecast is for 14 degrees next Saturday) you will receive a very warm reception from Montana Grizzly football fans. Wear your team colors, visit the many sports bars and restaurants downtown before and after the game and drop by the many tailgate parties on campus. Griz fans will be happy to talk and buy you a round of drinks.
Best of Luck.
Griz Fan Forever