Bethune-Cookman outrushed the Howard Bison by a nearly 5:1 ratio (268 yards to 58) and secured a 49-12 Homecoming victory in front of 10,247 fans packed inside Daytona Beach’s Municipal Stadium on Saturday. Anthony Jordan led the Wildcats on the ground with 102 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 attempts.

Jordan also contributed in the passing game and helped setup the Cat’s opening score after hooking up with Quentin Williams for a 19 and 16 yard pass and catch on the first two plays from scrimmage. Jordan capped the drive with a 3 yard touchdown run to push BCU ahead 7-0. The drive covered 75 yards and 11 plays. Williams was 4-4 for 57 yards through the air on the drive.

After a would be three and out on Howard’s ensuing possession, the penalty bug raised its ugly head when BCU extended the Bison’s drive with two consecutive encroachment penalties on 3^rd down. The Bison offense capitalize on the Wildcat miscues but could only come away with a 46 yard John Fleck field goal to close the gap to 7-3.

The Wildcats took its second offensive possession the length of the field and found paydirt when Cary White raced off tackle 19 yards for BCU’s second rushing touchdown of the afternoon. The drive was sustained on the heels of a beautiful over the shoulder 30 yard grab by DeVonte Washington on 3^rd down and 8 from the Howard 49 yardline.

Fleck added a second Bison field goal on Howard’s second possession this time from 31 yards out.

A 69 yard Drexler Dixon kickoff return followed by a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Howard player for participating without a helmet setup BCU with great field position at the Howard 13. Quentin Williams called his own number five plays later and scored on a 1 yard quarterback keeper to push the Wildcat lead to 21-6. The score remained the same heading into halftime.

The offensive fireworks continued in the second half when HU’s Robert Mercer returned the second half kickoff 74 yards to the BCU 23. 4 plays later, reigning MEAC Offensive Player of the year, Greg McGhee, scored on a one yard quarterback keeper to cut BCU’s lead to 21-12.

The Wildcats, not to be outdone, opened its first possession of the second half in similarly spectacular fashion. After a modest return to its own 21 yardline, Anthony Jordan scampered 79 yards for his second touchdown run on BCU’s first offensive play in the second half. Jordan’s touchdown run pushed BCU’s lead to 28-12 and was the Wildcat’s longest play from scrimmage this season.

“We got punched in the mouth (to open the second half),” B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. “They came out with a big return off of our guys’ lackadaisical play. Then, they got it in the end zone a couple of plays later. But I tell our guys it’s not that you get punched in the mouth, it’s how you respond. And they responded.”

Quarterback Quentin Williams was a very respectable 6 for 9 passing for 114 yards through 2 and half quarters. However, Williams, who also ran for a score, was replaced by redshirt freshman quarterback Larry Brihm in the middle of the 3^rd quarter.

“We had it planned to play Larry,” Jenkins said. “We think he’s an explosive player.”

Brihm rewarded his coach’s trust by leading the Wildcats on 3 second half scoring drives during which time he threw his first collegiate touchdown (a 24 yard strike to Jhomo Gordon in the right corner of the endzone); he scored on his first college rushing touchdown on a 2 yard keeper; and he engineered the drive that ended with Jamaruz Thompkins scoring his first collegiate touchdown (on a 2 yard run).

Brihm finished the contest 7 for 11 passing for 58 yards and 1 touchdown.

Ralph Williams led the defensive charge accounting for 11 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1 fumble recovery.

Injury update–

Defensive lineman Korey Harris, who was transported off the field on a stretcher, is reported to be fine according to head coach Brian Jenkins.  “He had some numbness in the beginning but the feeling returned before he was carted off.”  Our doctors did a tremendous job of immediately addressing the issue which gives me a lot of confidence.  He was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons but he is fine.”

Attendance: 10,247