Author: J Bell

Wildcats too much for Tigers

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

For the past two months, coach Brian Jenkins has insisted that the quarterback who practices the best during the week will receive the starting nod on gameday.

Remaining true to his word, Jenkins named David Blackwell as the starting quarterback just minutes before Saturday’s contest against Savannah State.  Blackwell responded by ripping off an 80 yard touchdown run on the Wildcats first offensive play from scrimmage.  He later added two more first half touchdown runs (of 37 yards and 59 yards) as well as two 3rd quarter touchdown passes (46 yarder to Isidore Jackson and 16 yarder to Johnathan Moment).  Blackwell accounted for 350 yards of total offense (203 rushing and 147 passing) in a little over 2 quarters of play.

The Wildcats finished the contest with 625 yards of total offense in route to a 59-3 dismantling of the over-matched Tigers.

Defensively, the Wildcats yielded just 202 yards of total offense and allowed no second half first downs.  Defensive tackle, Harold Love III, led the defensive charge with 12 tackles.

 Team Totals 

SSU 

BCU 
FIRST DOWNS 

9 

23 
   Rushing 

4 

17 
   Passing 

3 

6 
   Penalty 

2 

0 
NET YARDS RUSHING 

149 

431 
   Rushing Attempts 

40 

41 
   Average Per Rush 

3.7 

10.5 
   Rushing Touchdowns 

0 

5 
   Yards Gained Rushing 

191 

461 
   Yards Lost Rushing 

42 

30 
NET YARDS PASSING 

53 

194 
   Completions-Attempts-Int 

6-21-1 

11-17-0 
   Average Per Attempt 

2.5 

11.4 
   Average Per Completion 

8.8 

17.6 
   Passing Touchdowns 

0 

3 
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 

202 

625 
   Total offense plays 

61 

58 
   Average Gain Per Play 

3.3 

10.8 
Fumbles: Number-Lost 

2-0 

2-1 
Penalties: Number-Yards 

5-30 

10-69 
PUNTS-YARDS 

8-302 

2-78 
   Average Yards Per Punt 

37.8 

39.0 
   Net Yards Per Punt 

30.4 

39.0 
   Inside 20 

2 

1 
   50+ Yards 

1 

0 
   Touchbacks 

1 

0 
   Fair catch 

2 

0 
KICKOFFS-YARDS 

2-119 

10-572 
   Average Yards Per Kickoff 

59.5 

57.2 
   Net Yards Per Kickoff 

28.5 

33.6 
   Touchbacks 

0 

0 
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 

0-0-0 

5-39-0 
   Average Per Return 

0.0 

7.8 
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 

10-236-0 

2-62-0 
   Average Per Return 

23.6 

31.0 
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 

0-0-0 

1-20-0 
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 

0-0-0 

0-0-0 
Miscellaneous Yards 

0 

0 
Possession Time 

33:52 

26:00 
   1st Quarter 

10:35 

4:25 
   2nd Quarter 

9:32 

5:28 
   3rd Quarter 

7:49 

7:03 
   4th Quarter 

5:56 

9:04 
Third-Down Conversions 

3 of 16 

5 of 9 
Fourth-Down Conversions 

0 of 2 

0 of 1 
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 

1-3 

5-6 
   Touchdowns 

0-3 

4-6 
   Field goals 

1-3 

1-6 
Sacks By: Number-Yards 

1-10 

4-23 
PAT Kicks 

0-0 

8-8 
Field Goals 

1-1 

1-1

 

 

BCU Thumps Morgan 49-23

/ J Bell / 12 Comments

Last Saturday’s 49-23 Homecoming thumping of Morgan State was a near perfect microcosm of The Fighting Wildcats 2011 football season. 

 Much like the first half of this season, the first 2 quarters of Saturday’s contest were filled with both explosive plays –174 yards of total offense and 2 defensive turnovers– and untimely penalties –6 for 54 yards– for the Wildcats.  BCU looked vulnerable as a result and clung to a 14-10 halftime lead.

 The Wildcats seemed to sure up a few things in the halftime locker room and looked completely dominant and playoff worthy in the second half; outscoring MSU 35-13 in the process.

Isidore Jackson had another solid afternoon rushing for 94 yards (1 TD) on 20 carries and catching 2 passes for 22 yards. Senior fullback Johnathan Moment enjoyed his best statistical game of the season accounting for 106 yards of total offense (78 rushing; 28 receiving) and two touchdowns in the contest. 

Jackie Wilson

Sophomore quarterback Jackie Wilson continues to play well.  Wilson completed 67 percent of his passes (10/15 for 186) and rushed for 74 yards and 3 touchdowns on the afternoon.  “The game is starting to slow down to me,” Wilson said after the contest. 

 Although Wilson’s insertion into the starting lineup has seemed to stabilize the Wildcat offense, Coach Brian Jenkins states that there will continue to be an open competition for the starting quarterback spot.  Jenkins went on to state that David Blackwell almost received the starting nod this week instead of Wilson.

 The Wildcat starting defense held the Morgan State offense to 173 yards of total offense and 10 points through 3 quarters.  Senior linebacker Ryan Lewis led the way with 7 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss.  The Bear offense accumulated 137 yards of offense and 13 points in the final quarter mostly against BCU’s second and third teamers.  Even still, Coach Jenkins was none-too-happy about how his defense finished the contest; and he was particularly upset about yielding a 44-yard touchdown run to Travis Davidson with 58 seconds remaining in the contest.  “No matter the score, I want my guys to execute.”  “We had one guy out of position and a few others who didn’t make the play that was to be made” Jenkins stated.  Davidson finished the afternoon with 133 yards rushing on 17 carries for the Bears.

Bethune hosts upstart Savannah State next Saturday in Daytona Beach at 4:00 p.m.

Florida Classic could see Millionth Fan

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Bethune Band

Orlando, Florida (NOVEMBER 2, 2011) –  Game officials are preparing for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University, and it is possible that a special milestone may be reached at this year’s edition the nation’s top HBCU Classic.

Should the game reach an attendance mark of 63,200, the one-millionth fan of the game since it came to Orlando in 1997 will walk through the gates of Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Heading into this year’s 32nd overall edition of the game, 936,800 fans have attended the game in its 14 previous years in Orlando. Game officials expect to hit the 1,000,000 mark this year based on current ticket sales projections combined with an annual attendance average of nearly 67,000.

“Since 1997, FAMU, B-CU and the City of Orlando have truly built something special together,” said Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan. “The Classic weekend is one of the great rivalry experiences in college athletics and this year’s game could see fan number 1,000,000 walk through the gates — yet another milestone to celebrate in a series already rich in tradition.

”Should the 1,000,000th fan enter the gates, he/she will receive:· Two free Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic tickets in Orlando for life· Instant seat upgrade for two in the Uprights Club for this year’s game· A BCBS Florida Classic merchandise prize pack. 

The 2011 BCBSFL Classic – featuring the McDonald’s halftime show — takes place on Saturday, November 19 at 2:30 p.m. Fans interested in purchasing tickets should go to Ticketmaster.com and for game information, log on to www.FloridaClassic.org.

Jackie Wilson earns MEAC POTW honors

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A Wildcat football player has earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week.  Quarterback Jackie Wilson was selected as this week’s MEAC Offensive Player of the Week.  Also honored this week was Corwin Hammond of Norfolk State (Defensive Player of the Week).

D’Vonte Grant of North Carolina A&T and Tracy Martin of Morgan State was selected as the Co-Rookie’s of the Week while Lawrence Brewer, also of Morgan State, was named the Offensive Lineman of the Week.  Blake Erickson of South Carolina State was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively.

Wilson (QB, 6-0, 210, So., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) completed 12 of 15 passes for 183 yards with one touchdown in the Wildcats’ 34-6 win over North Carolina Central. He also carried the ball nine times for 113 yards with another touchdown on the ground. 

Hammond (LB, 6-1, 220, r-Sr., Louisville, Ky.) recorded a season-high 12 tackles, nine solo, in the Spartans’ 14-10 win over North Carolina A&T to remain in first place of the conference standings.  He registered five tackles for a loss of 17 yards including one sack for a nine-yard loss.  He also forced a fumble and broke up a pass in the win.

Grant (LB, 5-11, r-Fr., Charlotte, NC) collected a career-high 17 tackles, 15 solo, in the Aggies loss to Norfolk State.  He tallied 3.5 tackles for a loss of 14 yards and recorded a broken up pass.

Martin (RB, 5-9, 190, r-Fr., Beltsville, Md.) ran for 154 yards on 38 carries with two touchdowns in the Bears’ (12-0) shutout victory over Delaware State. 
Brewer (OL, 6-5, 290, Sr., Ft. Washington, Md.) graded out at 98-percent on his assignments as he paved the way for the Bears to record 314 offensive yards in the win over Delaware State.  He helped the team post 289 yards on the ground and racked up five pancake blocks.

Erickson (PK/P, 5-10, 165, Sr., Cantonment, Fla.) finished a perfect 4-of-4 on PATs and connected on a 22-yard field goal in South Carolina State’s 31-0 win over Howard.  He averaged 38.8 yards on six punts, including a long of 66 yards.  He also handled the kickoff responsibilities, averaging 58.7 yards on six attempts.

Other Top Performer

Jean Fanor (B-CU) posted six tackles, two solo, with one interception and one forced fumble in the Wildcats’ win over North Carolina Central.

Last week’s Contest

The Bethune-Cookman offense racked up 525 yards of Total Offense spoiling the homecoming of 12,516 North Carolina Central fans.  Isidore Jackson and Jackie Wilson both eclipsed the 100 yard rushing mark in Saturday’s contest. 

On the opposite side of the ball, the Wildcat defense held the Eagles scoreless until the 13:17 mark in the 4th quarter.  DJ Howard led the Cats with 8 tackles.

The Wildcats are currently playing as well as anyone in the MEAC and will look to continue their impressive late season push in a homecoming matchup against the surprising Morgan State Bears.  Morgan State and Norfolk State are the only remaining 1-loss conference teams. 

Jekyll-and-Hyde Eagles are a mystery, even to their coach, Henry Frazier

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Associated Press

NCCU QB Michael Johnson

DURHAM — Sounding ominous just days before Halloween, N.C. Central coach

Henry Frazier III said he’s never sure whether the Eagles he sees all week at practice will be the same ones who will show up on game day.

“We’ve been Jekyll-and-Hyde all season. I really don’t know which team is going to show up,” Frazier said.

It’s as if the Eagles looked at the schedule and circled the contests they believed required their “A” games, Frazier said.

If that’s the case, it would seem Saturday’s game against Bethune-Cookman (2 p.m., nccueaglepride.com) is highlighted, because it’s homecoming, and there’s something about putting on a good show for the alums.

The Eagles better come ready to play, because Bethune-Cookman is no joke, Frazier said. The Wildcats can run it, pass it and sure enough will hit, he said.

“That 49 on defense is something else. He’s a grown man out there,” Frazier said about Bethune-Cookman defensive end Ryan Davis. “Their defense is a bunch of grown men running around.”

Last week against Norfolk State, Davis had 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered another and was credited with a quarterback hurry, all of which made him not only the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week but also brought in Bethune-Cookman’s first National Football Championship Subdivsion Defensive Player of the Week award from The Sports Network/Fathead.com, given weekly to the top defender in the nation.

It’s not just Bethune-Cookman’s defense that furrows Frazier’s brow.

“Everything is of concern,” Frazier said.

NCCU’s defensive backs will have to make sure Wildcat wide receiver Eddie Poole is accounted for, and Bethune-Cookman doesn’t have just one or two running backs but a stable of them who all see time in the backfield and know what to do when they get their hands on the ball, Frazier said.

“They break tackles,” Frazier said. “We’re talking gang tackling.”

Bethune-Cookman running back Isidore Jackson last week was the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 6.5 yards per carry and finishing with 206 yards.

“All of our running backs are capable of doing what Ike did,” Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins said.

The Wildcats (4-3) have at least five solid running backs, but if one of them particularly is doing his thing out there on the field, then that guy might get most of the carries, Jenkins said.

NCCU (1-6) has yet to win a game in the conference since returning this season as a full MEAC member.

“North Carolina Central is probably the best one-win team that I’ve seen, and I don’t mean that with any disrespect,” Jenkins said. “They’re no slouch, now.”

Jenkins said NCCU probably should have beaten South Carolina. State, a team that for years has set the standard in the MEAC.

“They had South Carolina State on the ropes,” Jenkins said.

He was referring to S.C. State’s 49-38 over the Eagles earlier this season. NCCU has lost five straight, including last week’s 30-27 overtime defeat at Hampton.

“We’re not looking at them lightly or overlooking them,” Jenkins said of the Eagles. “They’re very disciplined and sound.”

Frazier wouldn’t agree about that discipline part. The Eagles committed 133 yards of penalties in each of their last two games. Those flags have been real thorns, Frazier said.

Still, eliminate NCCU’s record and what the Eagles are is a good football team, Jenkins insisted.

“Offensively, their quarterback gets rid of the football pretty fast, and they throw the ball up and down the field on people,” Jenkins said.

NCCU’s offense is efficient and can score, the Eagles play swarming defense and overall that team just plain plays hard, Jenkins said.

Thing is, there’s no telling which NCCU ball club will show up for the game, according to Frazier.

http://heraldsun.com/pages/sports_nccu

MEAC Football Week Eight: The Final Word

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

MEAC FOOTBALL WEEK EIGHT: The Final Word
Bethune-Cookman delivers Norfolk State its first conference defeat; Howard stuns A&T in overtime; Rattlers snap losing skid to SCSU;
NCCU takes Hampton to OT

Alvin Hollins Jr.

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.

Oct. 22 – Two overtime games and a three-point upset by a road team in regulation shook and pressed the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings with four weeks left.

Two teams – Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T – came into the weekend undefeated in league play, but by mid-afternoon, both clubs had suffered setbacks which took them down a peg, while bringing the pack in the MEAC much closer, setting up an intriguing final four weeks of play.

Norfolk State (6-2, 4-1 in MEAC) dropped to second place with their 14-6 loss to Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-2) Thursday night, but that battlefield demotion lasted all of 48 hours, as North Carolina A&T (4-3, 3-1) fell in overtime to Howard University (4-4, 3-2), 35-28 in Washington, D.C. Saturday, allowing the Spartans to reclaim the league’s pole position.

Meanwhile, Florida A&M (5-3, 3-2) ended an eight-game losing streak to South Carolina State (4-4, 3-2), 27-24, in Orangeburg, icing the game with a gutsy fourth-down fake punt, which allowed the Rattlers to retain possession with just over a minute left to run out the clock.

In Saturday’s final game, Hampton University (4-3, 2-2) needed overtime to subdue pesky North Carolina Central (1-6, 0-4), 30-27 at Hampton, after finishing regulation tied 24-24.

Thursday Night’s Game
Defending MEAC Football co-champion Bethune-Cookman turned in a stellar defensive performance Thursday night, briefly bouncing Norfolk State out of the league lead with a 14-6 at Dick Price Stadium in a nationally-televised contest.

The win kept Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-2 in MEAC) in the conference title chase, while Norfolk State (6-2, 4-1) saw its’ five-game win streak end, briefly swapping spots with North Carolina A&T.

Next Week’s Schedule At A Glance
This weekend’s four-game slate has now set the table for October’s final week, which features five games, headlined by a 1-2 matchup when North Carolina A&T invades Norfolk State (2:00).

Second place Morgan State (4-3, 3-1) will be on the road at cellar dweller Delaware State (1-6, 0-4) at 1:00; South Carolina State (4-4, 3-2) visits resurgent Howard University (4-4, 3-2) at 1:00; Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-2) is at North Carolina Central (1-6, 0-4) at 2:00; Hampton (4-3, 2-2) visits Savannah State (1-6, 1-3) at 2:00.

Florida A&M will have a bye next weekend.

The Chase For The MEAC: Update
After Saturday’s action, Norfolk State (6-2, 4-1) moved back to first place; North Carolina A&T (4-3, 3-1) is now tied for second with idle Morgan State (4-3, 3-1).

After that, there is a three-way tie for fourth involving Florida A&M (5-3, 3-2), South Carolina State (4-4, 3-2) and Howard University (4-4, 3-2), followed by Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-2) and Hampton (4-3, 2-2) tied for seventh, with Savannah State (1-6, 1-3), North Carolina Central (1-6, 0-4) and Delaware State (2-5, 0-4) rounding out the standings.

2011 MEAC Football Remaining Conference Games
NORFOLK STATE (6-2, 4-1): A&T, 10-29; @SAV, 11-5; MORG, 11-12.
#Despite their 14-6 loss to Bethune-Cookman last Thursday, Norfolk may be in the best position to win their first-ever MEAC football title if they can sweep their final three games, including two at home against lead contenders A&T and Morgan.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T (4-3, 3-1): @NORF, 10-29; @FAMU, 11-5; @SCSU, 11-12; NCCU, 11-19.
#The resurgent Aggies enjoyed a 48-hour stay in first place in the MEAC, before falling in overtime to fellow comeback player of the year, Howard on Saturday, in the first leg of their feared four-game road stretch which features stops at Norfolk, FAMU and SCSU.

MORGAN STATE (4-3, 3-1): @DSU, 10-29; @B-CU, 11-5; NORF, 11-12; @HAM, 11-19.
#Considered a darkhorse contender with no SCSU or FAMU on their schedule, the Bears could have a November to remember though, as they close against B-CU, Norfolk and Hampton, after next week’s game at Delaware State.

S.C. STATE (4-4, 3-2): @HOW, 10-29); A&T, 11-12; @SAV, 11-19.
The Bulldogs have a tough row to hoe along with their fellow defending co-champions following their 27-24 home loss to Florida A&M… SCSU must try to stay in the title conversation now with their next two games against the league’s two resurgent programs: Howard and North Carolina A&T next on the docket..

FLORIDA A&M (5-3, 3-2): A&T, 11-5; @NCCU, 11-12; B-CU, 11-19.              The defending co-champs ended an eight-game losing streak to SCSU, surging past the Bulldogs, 27-24 to remain alive in this cast of thousands in the MEAC title chase. The Rattlers get a much-needed bye Oct. 29, to rest and watch how the league will shake out after a full five-game conference weekend… FAMU closes against A&T, NCCU and B-CU.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY (4-4, 3-2): SCSU, 10-29; @HAM, 11-5; @DSU, 11-19.
#The upstart Bison continued their resurgence Saturday with 35-28 overtime win over longtime rival North Carolina A&T, keeping them in the MEAC title conversation, with their final three games, featuring SCSU, Hampton and DelState.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN (4-3, 2-2): @NCCU, 10-29; MORG, 11-5; SAV, 11-12; FAMU, 11-19.
#The other co-champ holding on for dear life is B-CU, which breathed a bit of life into their faint title hopes with Thursday’s 14-6 win at Norfolk State, which helped further tighten the standings… B-CU travels to North Carolina Central, opening a four-game closing stretch that includes November bouts against Morgan, Savannah and FAMU.

HAMPTON (4-3, 2-2): @SAV, 10-29; HOW, 11-5; DSU, 11-12; MORG, 11-19.
#The Pirates needed overtime to eke out a 30-27 win over North Carolina Central, keeping themselves in a pack of five two-loss teams… Their closing games feature a road game at Savannah State and their final three games in Armstrong Stadium, giving them a chance at an upper division finish.

SAVANNAH STATE (1-6, 1-3): HAM, 10-29; NORF, 11-5; @B-CU, 11-12; SCSU, 11-19.
#The first year Tigers are completely out of the hunt as they face a dastardly closing stretch of games with Hampton, Norfolk, B-CU and SCSU all in a row. Bon appetit Tigers.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL (1-6, 0-4): B-CU, 10-29; @DSU, 11-5; FAMU, 11-12; @A&T, 11-19.
#The other MEAC newcomer has a dropped a 30-27 overtime heartbreaker at Hampton Saturday, showing signs of being a tough out down the stretch… Their closing stretch features co-champs B-CU and FAMU, and the Aggie-Eagle Classic against North Carolina A&T.

DELAWARE STATE (2-5, 0-4): MORG, 10-29; NCCU, 11-5; @HAM, 11-12; HOW, 11-19.#The slip sliding Hornets won’t ease into the offseason with their remaining games that feature contenders A&T, Morgan and Hampton… Still, should they muster a right cross and an upper cut or two, they could spoil the day for a couple of teams down the stretch.

Week 8 Games (Oct. 20-22)
Thursday, October 20
*Bethune-Cookman 14, Norfolk State 6

Saturday, October 22
*Howard University 35, North Carolina A&T 28/OT
*Florida A&M 27, South Carolina State 24
*Hampton 30, North Carolina Central 27/OT
BYES: Delaware State, Morgan State, Savannah State
*Conference Games

Week 9 Games (Oct. 29)
*Morgan State at Delaware State, 1:00
*South Carolina State at Howard, 1:00
*Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina Central, 2:00
* North Carolina A&T at Norfolk State, 2:00
*Hampton at Savannah State, 2:00
BYE: Florida A&M
*Conference Games