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$340 for (2 pax) on HAILWILDCATS.COM FAN BUS to Grambling St. 9/12/2015

/ D Will / Leave a comment

Greetings BCU Fans!

You are cordially invited to hop onboard the HailWildcats.com “Road to the Celebration Bowl” Fan Bus as we support our team in their quest to have a successful season under the direction of Head Coach Terry Sims. Our Fighting Wildcats will travel to Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana on Saturday September 12th, 2015  to take on the Grambling State Tigers, kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CST

As a bonus to our Wildcat fans, Hailwildcats is offering the discounted 2+2+1 rate of $340.00 which guarantees  you 2 bus seats, 2 game tickets, and a hotel room Saturday night after the game.  So grab another Wildcat Fan, and get on the bus with us. If you are traveling by yourself, for the low 1+1+1* share rate of $190.00, you will be guaranteed,  transportation to and from the game, a game ticket, and a Hotel room share* on Saturday night after the game.  If you already have a game ticket, you can secure your transportation to and from Grambling and Saturday night hotel room share* (1+1*) for $170, for 2 persons, $300.00 will guarantee you 2 bus seats and a Double Bed hotel room.

We will depart Daytona Beach at 11:00 p.m. on Friday night the 11th and arrive at Eddie Robinson Stadium around 3:00 pm on Saturday the 12th. We will make stops along the way for breakfast and lunch. Following the game, we will travel to Jackson, Mississippi to rest overnight at the Fairfield Inn and Suites. We plan to depart Jackson at 8 am on Sunday the 13th heading to Daytona Beach and will stop for lunch, ETA: Daytona Beach 8 pm.

Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis and are filling fast. No seats are guaranteed until final payment has been received. All sales are final!

*Hotel Room Share-  Share/paired in a double bed room with a fellow Wildcat in a 4 star hotel.

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We encourage the use of PayPal for a fast, safe, and convenient method of securing your seat. We have attached the PayPal links/options below for your convenience. You do NOT need a PayPal account to complete your transaction. If you prefer to pay with cash or with Credit/Debit card in person or over the phone, please coordinate with Jerry Bell or Darold Williams at the numbers below. Checks will NOT be accepted.

Seats are filling up quickly, so be sure to lock yours in today.

DEADLINE TO RESERVE: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH 8:00PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PICKUP LOCATION:

ORLANDO, FL – Home Depot Lee Rd. – September 11th 10:00 PM  5351 Diplomat Cir, Orlando, FL 32810

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –Bethune Cookman University – September 11th 11:00 PM   Between the Facilities building and the Band Hall

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Cracker Barrel – September 12th 1:00 AM 502 Chaffee Point Rd Jacksonville, FL 32221

If you have any questions, please call or text Jerry Bell at 407-494-5302 in the Orlando Area or Darold Williams at 904-351-8381 in the Daytona Area

Hail Wildcats!
 
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1+1*-Bus Seat and Double Bed Hotel Room Share*  BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La
paypal_buynow $170.00
or
2+1= 2 Bus Seats, and 1 Double Bed Hotel Room BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La 
paypal_buynow  $300.00
 
 
1+1+1*-Bus Seat, Game Ticket, and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La
paypal_buynow $190.00
 
2+2+1= 2 Bus Seats, 2 Game Tickets, and 1 Double Bed Hotel Room BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La
 paypal_buynow $340.00
 
       

Hurricanes blow past BCU 45-0

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

BCU vs UCF-231Bethune-Cookman’s one game FBS season ended as most of us expected…one-sided. The best takeaways from the contest were the six figure check BCU picked up and the relative good health of the squad at the end of the night. But let’s face it, those were at the top of the list of realistic objectives for BCU before traveling to Sun Life Stadium to take on “The U” in front of 43,467 fans.

Miami’s defensive line dominated the contest and caused BCU’s offense to greatly struggle. In fact, the Wildcats managed just 50 yards of total offense through the first half and a putrid 29 in the final two quarters. “There defensive line (is the reason we struggled offensively). They have guys two deep that are outstanding” coach Sims stated in his postgame interview.

UM’s offense marched 70 yards on 16 plays on their first possession to open the game’s scoring. The Canes benefitted from two 4th down conversions on the drive. The first extended the drive on a 4th and 3 from the BCU 33. The second ended in a Brad Kaaya 5 yard touchdown pass to Standish Dobard.

Michael Badgley’s 25 yard field goal stretched the UM lead to 10-0 with 12:21 remaining in the first half.

Sun Life erupted at the 9:18 timestamp when Corn Elder returned a Jonathan Cagle punt 70 yards for an apparent score. However, Elder’s touchdown was nullified by the “get-away rule.”

The replay official overturned the touchdown after ruling one of Miami’s return men gave the “get-away” signal after Cagle’s short punt. By rule, the ball was ruled dead upon Elder’s touch since a Miami player gave the “get-away” signal. “Who Knew???”

Play was suspended at the conclusion of the play due to lightning in the area.

Kaaya went back to work when play resumed an hour and fifteen minutes later; this time connecting with Rashawn Scott in the left corner of the endzone on a beautifully executed 17 yard fade route.

Joseph Yearby pushed the lead to 24 with a 25 yard touchdown run 2:21 seconds before half.

Elder took a second punt return to the endzone just before the half. This one from 72 yards away.  Unfortunately for the Wildcats, there was no “get-away” signal this time around to nullify the touchdown.

Mark Walton and Trayone Gray added touchdown runs from 5 and 1 yard out in the second half.

“I take all the blame for that 45 nothing. It’s my job to go in tomorrow and get them rallied up and ready to play next week” Sims said.

BCU’s young defense appeared fast and held their own until the 75 minute rain delay. Thy should fair much better against FCS opponents.

As far as the offense is concerned, 79 of total offense is hard to justify despite the opponent. The offensive line had a hard  Terry Sims’ men must improve greatly if BCU is to contend for another MEAC crown in 2015.

  • 1st Quarter

  • TD
    6:42

    Brad Kaaya pass complete to Standish Dobard for 5 yds for a TD (Michael Badgley KICK)
    Drive: 16 plays, 70 yds, 7:01
    Watch Highlight

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    7

  • 2nd Quarter

  • FG
    12:21

    Michael Badgley 25 yd FG GOOD
    Drive: 9 plays, 58 yds, 2:45

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    10

  • TD
    3:42

    Brad Kaaya pass complete to Rashawn Scott for 17 yds for a TD BETHUNE COOKMAN Penalty, offside defense ( Yards) declined (Michael Badgley KICK)

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    17

  • TD
    2:21

    Joseph Yearby run for 25 yds for a TD (Michael Badgley KICK)
    Watch Highlight

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    24

  • TD
    1:37

    Jonathan Cagle punt for 41 yds , Corn Elder returns for 72 yds for a TD (Michael Badgley KICK)
    Watch Highlight

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    31

  • 3rd Quarter

  • TD
    2:14

    Mark Walton run for 5 yds for a TD (Michael Badgley KICK)
    Watch Highlight

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    38

  • 4th Quarter

  • TD
    2:27

    Trayone Gray run for 1 yd for a TD MIAMI FL Penalty, false start (-5 Yards) to the BthCk 8 (Michael Badgley KICK)
    Watch Highlight

    COOK

    0

    MIA

    45

Q gets the starting nod at quarterback

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
-Quentin Williams

-Quentin Williams

Redshirt senior Quentin Williams was named Bethune-Cookman’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s season-opening game at Miami, head coach Terry Sims announced.

Williams had been competing with redshirt sophomore Larry Brihm throughout fall camp, and Sims said both players could see playing time at various points throughout the season.

Williams started 11 games last season, completing 61.7 percent of his throws for 1,426 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Tampa native has made 26 career starts over three seasons.

“He came in and took charge of the offense,” Sims said. “He’s managed the game and made sure that he was making great decisions at all times. That’s what you want from your first-string quarterback.” Continue…

Sun Life Stadium: Bethune-Cookman vs Miami Game Day Bag Policy Information

/ D Will / Leave a comment

Attn Wildcat Nation

If you are planning to attend the BCU vs University of Miami game this Saturday @ Sun Life Stadium, their is a bag policy to which you must adhere. For more information please see this link: Sun Life Stadium Game Day Bag Policy Information .

NFL Stadium Bag Policy

The NFL has instituted a safety policy for all stadiums that will make the security process more efficient and effective.  The Miami Dolphins are committed to ensuring the fan experience is second to none, and the safety of our guests at Sun Life Stadium is essential to maintaining this experience.

The safety policy affects the type and size of bags that are permitted into the stadium — not the items that fans normally need to bring to a game. Fans may continue to carry pockets items such as keys, makeup, combs, phones, wallets and credit cards. Fans wishing to purchase Miami Dolphins branded approved bags can visit the team store at Sun Life Stadium.

Below are the NFL approved bags fans may carry into the stadium:

  • One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12” by 6” and 12” or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
  • In addition to one of the clear bags noted above, fans may also carry in a small clutch bag or purse approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.
    • An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at Gate E designated for this purpose.
  • Diapers and wipes can be carried in a clear bag. Each member of a family, including children, will be able to carry an approved clear bag and a clutch purse, providing ample storage capacity.Bag Policy

Fans will continue to be able to tailgate with their usual items in the parking lots. Items such as smart phones, binoculars and cameras will still be permitted into the stadium. This policy is meant to speed up the process of entering the stadium along with increasing security measures.

The NFL and the Miami Dolphins are committed to protecting public safety at Sun Life Stadium.  This is an important step in achieving that.  For more information on the policy please visit NFL.com/allclear.

Erik Williams added to Detroit Lions preseason roster

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

image

The Detroit Lions filled a couple vacant roster spots earlier today after the release of safety Taylor Mays and receiver Jared Haggins on Saturday.

Former Bethune-Cookman Defensive end Erik Williams and linebacker Justin Cherocci (Central Michigan) have been added to the roster.

Williams recorded 33 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for Bethune-Cookman last season.

The 6-3, 270-pound Williams, who spent time with the Buffalo Bills in the offseason, is the son of Lee Williams, an 11-year NFL veteran who played for the San Diego Chargers and Houston Oilers.

Williams will wear number 67 while Cherocci will wear 51.

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-activate-Jones-and-Waddle-off-PUP-sign-two-others/d56eadf4-36f1-4670-b374-0686eb81d2aa

5 Questions from Fall Camp

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

IMG_9324The Bethune-Cookman football program has spent most of the last five seasons nationally ranked and atop the MEAC standings. In that same timeframe, the Wildcats have posted more victories than any other conference school and advanced to the postseason on four occasions. Yet despite its recent run of success, the buzz surrounding the program has been relatively quiet heading into the 2015 campaign. Questions abound as to rather BCU’s window of success is closing or if the Cats are poised to continue their reign as one of the premier programs in the HBCU and FCS ranks.

Here are 5 mysteries that must be solved if Bethune-Cookman is to remain consistent in its winning ways.

The Man following the Man

TSims

1st year head coach Terry Sims

First year head coach Terry Sims inherits a roster full on talent but lacking in experience. Sims won’t be afforded a honeymoon period to acquaint himself or his young squad to the high expectations in Daytona Beach. Wildcat fans fully expect Sims to continue and build upon the success of former head coach Brian Jenkins.

Sims is well respected within the BCU athletic department. He is ultracompetitive, detailed-oriented, and perhaps better credentialed than was Jenkins when he first took over the reins in 2010. But there are some aspects of the head coaching position for which only the crucible of experience can prepare you. The manner in which Sims responds to tense, split-second and sometimes unpredictable moments on and off the field will go a long way in determining the success of this year’s squad.

Fantastic Four or Fantastic No-more???

Yogi Jones is arguably the best defensive coordinator in the MEAC. He will need to rely on all of his experience and know-how to ready a defense that features nine new starters including an all new front four.

Donald Smith #16

Donald Smith #16

Not only will the defensive line feature four new starters but the four new starters were not even enrolled at Bethune-Cookman this time last year. Thankfully, they all have some post-high school playing experience under their belts and they all possess great athleticism and potential. Getting this group of new faces to actualize their talents and replace the production void left by the likes of Erik Williams, LeBrandon Richardson and Rony Barrow will be quite a task even for Yogi Jones.

Inexperience at Linebacker

Donald Smith returns as the lone starter at linebacker. We expect Robert Way, our preseason pick for breakout player of the year, and Deland high school product Trenton Bridges to join Smith as the starting linebackers. All three guys will lay a good thump on you. We just want them to get in the habit of getting ball carriers on the ground and racking up tackles. We’ll worry about highlight reel hits down the road.

OC or Oh-No?

While Yogi Jones has proven his mettle as a great defensive coordinator, the jury is still out on 4th year offensive coordinator Jim Pry. BCU has never averaged more than 30 points per game or more than 400 yards of total offense under Pry’s guidance. In fact, Pry’s units rarely racked up huge numbers in his previously stints as offensive coordinator at Dartmouth, Akron and Duke. Granted, you can’t measure success by statistics alone and the offensive talent he had at his disposal while serving as OC at the aforementioned schools generally were not as good as the competition he faced. But coaching is a bottom line business. Pry will need to have the BCU offense prepared to carry more of the weight this season to give the new faces on defense time to jell and gain experience.

Step it up QB

????????In 2010, BCU entered Fall Camp unsure who would emerge as the primary signal caller. Senior Matt Johnson stepped up, made the job his own, and proceeded to have one of the best seasons any Wildcat quarterback has ever experienced. We’re hoping redshirt senior Quentin Williams can find some of that same magic in his final year.

Williams has not been bad as a starter but he has struggled with consistency at times. Q needs to step up his production this season. Whether he does or doesn’t isn’t an issue of talent but one of confidence.

Larry Brihm will challenge Williams for snaps all season and the thought of both quarterbacks taking meaningful snaps is not out of the question.

The Terry Sims era of Bethune-Cookman football begins on Saturday, September 5th when the Wildcats travel to South Florida to take on FBS powerhouse University of Miami. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

Undrafted Tavarus Daztler ready to earn roster spot in Green Bay

/ J Bell / 4 Comments
image

Tavarus Daztler

Green Bay — Soon after signing with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, Tavarus Dantzler received a phone call from another Bethune-Cookman graduate: Nick Collins.

The former Packers safety had hyped up Dantzler’s team before a game last season, but the two weren’t necessarily close.

Collins got Dantzler’s phone number from a friend in Green Bay and surprised the linebacker.

His message was straightforward.

“It’s a job now,” Dantzler recalled Collins’ telling him. “There’s no class. So just get in the playbook, learn, come here, and come with an attitude of wanting to learn. Ask questions.”

The expectations for this Bethune-Cookman star won’t be set nearly as high as that 2005 second-round pick who’d go on to star in Super Bowl XLV, but the Packers will throw Dantzler into the mix at inside linebacker. This 6-foot-2, 240 pounder promises to bring an angry, determined playing style.

“Linebacker is a physical position,” Dantzler said. “Either you have it or you don’t. I like to play with that anger, that chip on my shoulder. I just pride myself on things like that.”

Green Bay bypassed all inside linebackers through the first three rounds of the draft, taking Michigan’s Jake Ryan 129th overall. A three-year starter, Dantzler finished with 176 tackles (19 for loss) and six forced fumbles. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is a tad different than the Big Ten, though Dantzler’s workout numbers certainly got Green Bay’s attention.

Dantzler ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, posted a 35½-inch vertical leap and has 34½-inch arms.

By comparison, Clay Matthews ran a 4.67 with a 35½-inch vertical out of USC and has 32¼-inch arms.

For Dantzler, the key was a newfound focus midway through college. Defensive coordinator Charles “Yogi” Jones remembers an 18-year-old kid who could care less about his classwork.

He had the talent. He was a “happy-go-lucky guy,” Jones said.

Heading into his third year, Dantzler had a daughter and Jones saw a metamorphosis.

“He’s determined to be in position to provide for his daughter,” Jones said. “This is what he wants to do to make a living. He’s not going to be denied. He wants it. This is a kid that’s hungry….It changed his life. It changed his perspective on his education, on his day-to-day work ethic, it changed everything.

Continue reading:  http://m.jsonline.com/sports/packers/undrafted-tavarus-dantzler-ready-to-earn-job-at-linebacker-b99504880z1-304664871.html .

MEAC Champion to forego FCS playoffs in favor of Celebration Bowl

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

New look helmetsAfter a 16 year hiatus, the latest rendition of a postseason bowl game to determine a black college football national champion is now official. The champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference will meet in a postseason bowl game on December 19th at the Georgia Dome in the inaugural Celebration Bowl.

A press release stated, “the Celebration Bowl is committed to providing the champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and their alumni, fans and sponsors a first-class bowl experience while continuing to celebrate the legacy, values and traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

“As part of the conference’s continued efforts in branding and increasing its exposure on a national platform, I am elated that champions from the MEAC and the SWAC will compete in a bowl game, during the most exciting time of the year for collegiate football,” MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas said in a statement. “Our continued partnership with ESPN will give our coaches, student-athletes and fans an opportunity to participate in an exciting bowl game, on a national stage, which will showcase their institutions and talented football programs. Adding a national television opportunity for our champion, during this time of year, only furthers our branding and marketability.”

The Celebration Bowl is the most recent incarnation of the now dormant Heritage Bowl and defunct Pelican Bowl. One major and controversial distinction between the Celebration Bowl and its predecessors is the MEAC champion will relinquish its automatic qualifier (AQ) slot into the FCS Playoffs in order to participate in the game. (The FCS Playoffs did not exist when the Pelican Bowl was operational (1972, 74-75) and the MEAC champion sometimes declined the automatic Heritage Bowl (1991-99) bid in favor of participating in the FCS (then I-AA) playoffs.

The financial payouts, length of the contract, and other pertinent details of the agreement have not yet been divulged. What we do know is the game is the property of ESPN Events and will be broadcasted on the ESPN family of Networks. It will be the second ESPN-created MEAC-SWAC game. (The MEAC/SWAC Challenge has been played for the past 10 seasons on Labor Day Weekend.) We also know there remains a chance that a MEAC team can participate in the FCS playoffs if it receives an at-large invitation. Bethune-Cookman is believed to have been the first at-large team omitted in 2014 and South Carolina State received an at-large invite in 2013.