The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats exited Saturday’s contest against Prairie View A&M with more total yards of offense (498-422), more first downs (27-14), and a 110 more rushing yards (242-132) than their Texas foes. But despite their advantages in these key statistical categories, BCU exited Saturday’s contest with their 7th defeat of the season.

“You can’t say the guys didn’t play hard, but when you give up 28 points on mistakes on offense, defense, and special teams you’re not going to win football games that way” head coach Terry Sims said after the contest.

The Wildcats first costly mistake occurred on their second possession of the contest with the game still knotted at 0. Drake Cheatum picked off a Shannon Patrick pass to give PVAMU possession on their own 37 yardline. Trejon Spiller hauled in a 63 yard strike from Jawan Pass on the next play to open the game’s scoring. 

Kamari Averette capped a 7 play 60 yard drive with a 26 yard touchdown reception from Devin Black early in the 2nd quarter. A successful two point conversion attempt gave BCU its only lead of the game at 8-7 but it did not last long. Prairie View regained control of the game after Pass hit his second long touchdown throw of the contest. This one from 59 yards out and landing in the hands of Jailon Howard with just under 2 minutes remaining in the half. 

Bethune drove the ball 73 yards on the final possession of the first half but the drive stalled out on downs on Prairie View’s 2 yardline. On the opposite side of halftime, BCU again drove the ball inside Prairie View’s 20 yardline before coming up empty again. A holding call negated what would have been a BCU go ahead touchdown. Three plays later, Bryce Turner returned a blocked field goal 71 yards to push PVAMU ahead 21-8. 

Jimmie Robinson’s 8 yard TD run cut the lead to one possession but another mistake haunted the Cats. An attempted screen pass ricocheted off a Wildcat receiver and into the hands of Drake Cheatum for his second pick of the game. Cheatum returned the INT 62 yards for a score.

The Wildcats went on to score 14 more points in the 4th quarter but it wasn’t enough to garner BCU their first win of the season.

Queshaun Byrd ended the day with 176 yards rushing on 24 carries. It was Byrd’s 3rd 100 yard rushing game of the season. Kamari Averette collected his 3rd 100 yard receiving game and ended the day with 6 grabs and 115 yards through the air. 

Terry Sims and the Wildcats will attempt to right the ship next week when they take on Jackson State in Mississippi’s state capital.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	PVA	BCU
Total Yards	422	498
Pass Yards	290	256
Rushing Yards	132	242
Penalty Yards	6-55	7-50
1st Downs	14	27
3rd Downs	3-10	3-12
4th Downs	0-0	1-2
TOP	25:26	34:34