DAYTONA BEACH, FL–In a game that was set to be billed as the winless Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman hosting the undefeated Tigers of Edward Waters, the game proved anticlimactic as the B-CU Wildcats jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back en route to a dominating 35-9 victory Saturday.
The game was one in which both the offensive and defensive lines dominated on both sides of the ball, with the offense amassing over 4 total yards (220 on the ground) while the defense sacked EWU four times and forced four turnovers.
Quarterback Cam’Ron Ramsom turned in another efficient performance completing 10 of his 20 passes for three touchdowns. His go to receiver Maleek Huggins, had a monster day hauling in nine passes for 177 yards and two scores.
Pacing the Wildcats defensively was Jaylen Brown, tallying 10 total tackes (2.0 for loss) and two sacks. Johnny Harris, III with his first interception of the season thwarts the Tigers drive giving the Wildcats the ball to start their first drive at their own seven yard line with 12:44 remaining in the first quarter.
A botched 13 yard punt by Edward Waters’ Ryan Gagne gave the Wildcats the ball at the Tiger 25 yard line. Five plays later, facing a third and goal from the EWU 20, Ransom scrambled right and found Maleek Huggins in the back of the end zone who toe tapped before falling out of the end zone. A Juan Dominguez extra point gave BCU a 7-0 lead with 3:07 remaining in the first.
The Wildcats scored their second touchdown late in the second quarter after capping a three play, 45 yard drive with a nine yard pass from Ransom to Alihaja Scott to increase their lead to 14-0 with 3:29 remaining in the first half.
On the ensuing drive, Edward Waters would hit paydirt as Noah Bodden found Makai Lovett for a 23 yard touchdown to cap an eight play, 75 yard drive over 2:00 to cut the Wildcat lead to 14-6 with 1:13 remaining in the half following the failed PAT by Gagne.
Midway through the third quarter, the Wildcat ground game got going with a 75 yard touchdown run for Khamani Robinson, his first of the season to extend the lead for B-CU to 21-6 with 9:27 remaining.
The quick strike Cats found the endzone again with 4:44 remaining in the 3rd as Ransom found Huggins for an 82 yard catch and score to give B-CU a commanding 28-6 advantage as the Marching Pride fired up their rendition of Cameo’s classic “Neck.”
On the very next drive and 1:30 later, self-inflicted penalties would rear its ugly head again for EWU as an errant throw by Bodden fell into the hands of Naim Lassiter at the Tiger 40 yard line and he raced untouched into the end zone to push the B-CU lead to 35-6 with 3:14 remaining in the third ensuring the rout was on in Daytona Beach.
Edward Waters would add a 41 yard field goal by Gagne with 6:04 remaining in the game to cut the BCU lead to 35-9 with 6:04 remaining to close out the scoring.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 1-3 overall, while Edward Waters suffers their first defeat of the 2025 football campaign
Bethune-Cookman hosted Edward Waters in their first home game of the season this past Saturday.
7,927 fans watched BCU thump their Duval brethren 35-9 and quite honestly, Daytona Stadium felt more alive than it has in quite some time.
Coach Woodie’s guys flashed the kind of explosiveness on offense and backbone on defense that fans have been longing for.
By night’s end, BCU racked up 437 yards on offense including 228 on the ground. Defensively, the Cats held EWU’s vaunted offense to just 9 points despite the Tigers scoring over 40 points per game in each of their first three contests.
True Freshman running back, Khamani Robinson, accounted for 114 yards on 12 carries. His 75 yard touchdown run early in the 3rd quarter broke the game wide open. Robinson was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week for his efforts.
Credits: BCU Athletics
Wide receiver Maleek Huggins promised to give the fans a show this season and he certainly did that on Saturday. Huggins racked up 177 yards receiving and two touchdowns. One of the touchdowns was a highlight-reel 82-yard score. It ended with a Michael Jackson inspired touchdown celebration. The senior from Bradenton also received conference honors this week being named Offensive Player of the Week.
Credits: BCU Athletics
Naim Lassiter added a defensive score with a 40 yard pick-six late in the 3rd.
Mini-homecoming spoiled
I’m not gonna lie, it was really cool seeing Brian Jenkins patrolling the sidelines in Daytona. It was also cool seeing Matt Johnson, Ryan Davis, Eddie Poole, and Brian Dorsey on the sidelines. Several other former Wildcats joined them. They took pictures and shared love with their former head coach. Brian Jenkins won 46 games in 5 years as BCU’s head coach so we knew he would have his team prepared and fired up for this game.
And that he did. Just about 9 minutes before kickoff, BCU’s public address announcer, welcomed Edward Waters to the field from the locker room. But there was one big problem, Jenkins wasn’t ready for his team to leave the locker room just yet. So he waited. And waited. And waited until Bethune was invited to take the field. It was only then that he decided it was time to run out.
It was a reminder of everything we love about Brian Jenkins and his teams. Make every contest a dog fight and find any advantage that you can.
Thankfully for Bethune, the pregame happenings had no impact on the outcome of the game. Neither did the FCS Reddit betting odds, which listed the Wildcats as 5.5 point underdogs against their D2 opponent.
Once the ball was kicked off, the bigger, stronger, faster, and better team won.
Relax Cookman Fans and enjoy the moment !
Relax Cookman Fans and enjoy the moment!
Jerry Bell – HailWildcats.com
Let’s be honest — Bethune-Cookman fans have been conditioned by the past few seasons to flinch, even in the presence of good things happening. Call it sports PTSD, call it phantom pains — call it whatever you want to label it, but the scars are real. Years of heartbreak have taught this fanbase to keep its guard up at all times.
We saw it again on Saturday. BCU dominated the first half. However, costly mistakes and a pesky Edward Waters reduced the Wildcats’ lead to just 14-6 at halftime. You could feel the anxiety of the crowd. There was the proverbial “here we go again” echoing around the stadium.
But the good guys rattled off 21 unanswered points in the third and showed their dominance with a 26 point win. Even still, some folks almost didn’t know how to react.
“Should we celebrate?”
“How would Saturday’s performance translate against SWAC competition?”
“Why didn’t the team score 40+ points?”
It was a weird phenomenon but here is what I say to all of this: Relax Cookman Fans and enjoy the moment.
Wins are hard to come by in college football, and when they do come, you’ve got to savor them. So let’s try to forget the scars and live in the moment.
Saturday was fun, and it’s okay to enjoy the moment.
Was it a perfect game?…Well no. But were there big plays to celebrate, defensive swagger, 4 interceptions, 4 sacks, young guys stepping up?… Heck yeah there was and that’s the kind of football that’s worth celebrating. Who knows, if the Wildcats keep stacking performances like this together, Daytona Stadium can start feeling like the fortress it once was. Maybe then the fans can flex their muscles a little too! 💪
Statistic
EWU
BCU
First Downs
Total
20
15
Rushing
7
11
Passing
10
4
Penalty
3
0
Rushing
Total (Net)
74
228
Attempts
30
41
Avg. Per Rush
2.5
5.6
Rushing TDs
0
1
Yds. Gained
137
250
Yds. Lost
63
22
Passing
Total (Net)
173
209
Comp.-Att.-Int.
19–40–4
13-23-1
Avg. / Att.
4.3
9.1
Avg. / Comp.
9.1
16.1
TDs
1
3
Total Offense
Yards
247
437
Plays
70
64
Avg. / Play
3.5
6.8
Fumbles – Lost
1-0
0-0
Penalties – Yds.
13–94
11-89
Punting
Punts – Yds.
7-230
5-231
Avg. / Punt
32.9
46.2
Inside 20
3
2
50+ Yds.
1
2
Touchbacks
0
1
Fair Catch
3
0
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.
3-138
6–349
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff
46.0
58.2
Touchbacks
0
3
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs
2–12-0
1-10-0
Punt: Avg. / Return
6.0
10.0
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs
3–59-0
1-8-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return
19.7
8.0
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs
1-0-0
4–51–1
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs
0-0-0
0-0-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards
0
0
Poss. Time
30:49
29:11
3rd. Down Conv.
4 of 15
6 of 13
4th. Down Conversions
1 of 1
0 of 1
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances
1-1
2–4
Sacks: Total – Yds.
3-22
4–44
PAT: Total – Made
0-1
5–5
2PT Conversion: Total – Made
0-0
0-0
Field Goals: Total – Made
1-1
0-1
Qtr
Time
Scoring Play
EWU
BCU
1st
03:07
BCU – Huggins,Maleek 20 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 5 plays, 25 yards, TOP 02:57
0
7
2nd
03:13
BCU – Scott Jr.,Alihaja 9 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:13
0
14
2nd
01:13
EWU – Lovett,Makai 23 yd pass from Bodden,Noah ( ) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:00
6
14
3rd
09:27
BCU – Robinson,Khamani 75 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 3 plays, 84 yards, TOP 01:32
6
21
3rd
04:44
BCU – Huggins,Maleek 82 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 5 plays, 92 yards, TOP 02:12
Heading into this Bethune-Cookman vs South Carolina State matchup, I told y’all this game had more of a chance to be sneaky good game than the expected one-sided snooze fest. Turns out, we got a little of both.
Let’s put it this way. After the game, I got back home just in time to catch the Bud Crawford/Canelo Alvarez boxing match.
South Carolina State played the role of Bud Crawford, superior from the opening bell to the final horn. Bethune-Cookman was Canelo Alvarez, the proud fighter who kept throwing punches, landed some heavy shots, and fought until the end but was ultimately outmanned, overmatched and never got close enough to pose any real threat.
Jerry Bell – HailWildcats.com
If you were comparing the football game to the boxing match, South Carolina State played the role of Bud Crawford, superior from the opening bell to the final horn. Bethune-Cookman was Canelo Alvarez, the proud fighter who kept throwing punches, landed some heavy shots, and fought until the end but was ultimately outmanned, overmatched and never got close enough to pose any real threat.
The results, a 55–41 victory for the Bulldogs in a game they controlled from start to finish…just like Crawford controlled Canelo.
First Quarter: Bulldogs Blitz
From the opening drive, SCSU had their way. Physical on the ground, sharp through the air, and opportunistic on defense. By the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs had 24 points on the board and 207 yards of total offense. The Wildcats on the other hand, just 4 yards of offense and zero first downs at that point. Yikes!
SC State 1st quarter scoring drives went as follows:
-14 plays, 83 yards ending with a 3 yard Ryan Stubblefield touchdown run.
-9 plays, 61 yard drive ending in a Nico Cavanillas 44 yard field goal.
In the 2nd quarter, Cavanillas added a 41 yard field goal to stretch the lead to 27-0.
Wildcats Swing Back
Then came the fight. 2nd team All-SWAC quarterback, Cam Ransom, entered the game in the 2nd quarter in place of the largely ineffective Timmy McClain who started the contest.
Ransom led the Cats on their first touchdown drive of the season with a two yard TD run with 1:56 remaining in the first half. The drive covered 17 plays, 75 yards and over 8 minutes.
After the halftime break, the Wildcats had 6 highly productive drives that went like this:
Drive 1 – 8 plays, 75 yards; touchdown.
Drive 2 – 7 plays, 67 yards (almost touchdown drive but the officials decided the ball was fumbled into the endzone for a touchdown back). 😤
Drive 3 – 3 plays, 84 yards; touchdown.
Drive 4 – 7 plays, 67 yards; touchdown.
Drive 5 – 7 plays, 75 yard; touchdown.
Drive 6 – 4 plays, 35 yards; touchdown.
That’s 5 touchdowns in 6 second-half drives. And if that disputed fumble call goes the other way? We’re talking about a perfect offensive half.
That’s the good part. But in football and boxing, you don’t just punch; you also get punched.
BCU closed the gap and had multiple chances to make the contest a one-score game, but South Carolina State answered every time. The Cats never got closer than 14.
The Difference Makers
Cam Ransom put on an absolute show. Despite not starting, he finished with:
302 yards passing and 4 touchdowns through the air; 89 yards rushing and 1 touchdown on the ground, and 391 yards of total offense.
That’s a career night against a top notched opponent.
Maleek Huggins also had his best outing of the season, torching the Bulldog secondary for 8 catches, 148 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Antwone Watts and Nick Rawls II led the Cats on defense with 7 and 6 tackles respectively.
The Bottom Line
Bethune fought back admirably after an abysmal first quarter, and you have to applaud that effort. But effort without execution doesn’t win games. All of these positives couldn’t overcome the Wildcat mistakes. Bethune turned the ball over three times, including the 1st quarter scoop-and-score for the Bulldogs and that drive crushing end-zone fumble that erased points in the 3rd quarter. That’s a 14-point swing and wouldn’t you know it—that’s exactly the margin of defeat.
The better team—the defending MEAC champs—won the game and showed the distance between the two programs at this juncture in time.
Final: South Carolina State 55, Bethune-Cookman 41.
This young BCU team is still learning that in football, like boxing, it’s not enough to just keep swinging. Wins and losses are decided by making adjustments, being disciplined, and paying attention to the details that turn effort into results.
Jerry Bell – HailWildcats.com
The Wildcats fall to 0–3 and are still searching for that first win. This young BCU team is still learning that in football, like boxing, it’s not enough to just keep swinging. Wins and losses are decided by making adjustments, being disciplined, and paying attention to the details that turn effort into results.
The Cats will get another shot at it next week. Until then, Hail Wildcats!
If you ask most HBCU fans to circle the big games this weekend, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone pointing to Bethune-Cookman vs. South Carolina State. And honestly—why would they?
South Carolina State is the defending MEAC champ, sitting at 1-1 currently, and looking set to defend their crown. Bethune-Cookman, on the other hand, hasn’t factored into many meaningful contests recently and have been on the butt end of a couple of whoppings the past two weeks.
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. But call me crazy, something tells me this could be a sneaky good game this weekend.
call me crazy, something tells me this could be a sneaky good game this weekend.
J Bell – HailWildcats.com
Maybe that’s the Wildcat fanatic in me talking…Probably is.
Maybe I’m still holding on to the luster of yesteryear when the BCU vs SCSU matchup carried the intensity of a prizefight when the two were MEAC heavyweights.
Or maybe—just maybe—it’s because history says these two programs rarely give us a dud on the gridiron.
Series Split over last 10 games
The series is split at 5 wins and 5 losses apiece over the past 10 matchups. It’s split 11 wins and 9 losses in favor of the Bulldogs over the past 20.
So despite the difference in expectations for these squads, the back-and-forth series record shows you don’t sleep on this rivalry; even when the Wildcats look down.
What to Expect Saturday
Here is Coach Woodie and the Wildcats’ chance to make an announcement to the HBCU world; and SCSU is the perfect opponent to do it against. Don’t expect the same watered-down schemes we’ve seen through Weeks 1 and 2 against BCU’s FBS opponents.
On Defense: Expect more blitz packages, more disruption, and more variations in coverages.
On Offense: Look for much more tempo, more creativity, more quarterback run, and more getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers quickly.
I’m NOT predicting a BCU upset but that’s not out of the question either. What I am predicting is the type of Dog and Cat fight that has made this series very competitive.
J Bell – HailWildcats.com
Let me be clear, I’m NOT predicting a BCU upset but that’s not out of the question either. What I am predicting is the type of Dog and Cat fight that has made this series very competitive and my favorite on the field matchup for BCU. And who knows, if things break right…well, let’s just say if things break right, it will be hard to shut me up next week.
Yeah, I know I’m crazy. I know how that sounds. I guess I will see y’all in Orangeburg.
Bethune-Cookman just completed the toughest stretch of its season. The team traveled to Miami in back-to-back weeks to face FBS foes. Call it BCU’s version of a “preseason,” call it the “money games season,” call it whatever you want. The bottom line is the Wildcats faced bigger, stronger teams, and more well-funded programs and now sit at 0–2 to begin the 2025 campaign. But now the real season starts.
From here on out it’s about HBCU opponents, FCS battles, conference matchups and games that matter against similar programs. South Carolina State is first up, but before we look ahead at the game against the Bulldogs, let’s focus on a few takeaways from Saturday night against No. 5 Miami.
Takeaway 1: There is Not Much to Take Away
I don’t mean this in any negative sense at all. The truth is last week’s game was about survival. You can tell by how the staff kept it simple. They held back the playbook on offense and defense. They sat and limited playing time to key contributors including two of your starting offensive linemen. It doesn’t matter if it was about rest, health, or protecting depth. The message was clear. Coach Raymond Woodie was boldly stating that conference play and HBCU play is the priority.
Takeaway 2: Quarterback Steady
Quarterback Timmy McClain continues to look the part under center. He went 13-of-16 passing Saturday night. That’s an 81% completion rate and about as efficient as it gets, even against a 5th ranked Miami squad with all of that size and speed. His only real blemish came on a sack-fumble he probably should’ve eaten, but you’ll take that when you consider the poise and control he showed over the course of the contest. Two games in, McClain feels like a steady hand you can build around.
Takeaway 3: His eye is on the Sparrow
Yeah, I know that sounds churchy but I am a church boy so what are you going to do. At any rate, LB/DB Stephen Sparrow Jr. had an excellent game finishing with 9 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss. One of the things you look for in these type of contests are what FCS guys look like they belong on the same field as the FBS guys. Sparrow fit the bill on Saturday night. The former Orlando Jones Tiger just looked like he belonged on the field and matched everything the Hurricanes threw at him from a speed, athleticism, and physicality standpoint. Good job Sparrow!
Takeaway 4: Battled to the End
No one expected a close scoreboard, but effort still matters. Down big, outmatched, Bethune kept playing hard. That competitiveness is what you need when the schedule flips into games that are winnable and that count in the conference standings.
Looking Ahead: SCSU
Now it’s go-time.
No more holding back the playbook.
No more “preseason”.
No more FBS opponents.
No more excuses.
It’s time for us to see what this team is made of; and what an opponent to do it against. Back in Bethune’s MEAC days, South Carolina State was always the team BCU used as the measuring-stick program. They were the matchup that told you exactly where you stood. That tradition carries over. This weekend is the first real barometer for Bethune in Year Three under Coach Woodie.
Expect a scrap. Expect a game that feels like Cats versus Dogs. And by late Saturday night, expect to know a whole lot more about what this 2025 Wildcat team is really made of.
Statistic
BCU
MIA
First Downs
Total
14
31
Rushing
4
13
Passing
7
17
Penalty
3
1
Rushing
Total (Net)
92
199
Attempts
33
30
Avg. Per Rush
2.8
6.6
Rushing TDs
0
4
Yds. Gained
115
201
Yds. Lost
23
2
Passing
Total (Net)
99
344
Comp.-Att.-Int.
14-18-1
30–36-0
Avg. / Att.
5.5
9.6
Avg. / Comp.
7.1
11.5
TDs
0
2
Total Offense
Yards
191
543
Plays
51
66
Avg. / Play
3.7
8.2
Fumbles – Lost
1-1
1-0
Penalties – Yds.
2-20
4–50
Punting
Punts – Yds.
4–167
0-0
Avg. / Punt
41.8
0
Inside 20
1
0
50+ Yds.
0
0
Touchbacks
0
0
Fair Catch
0
0
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.
2-126
8–520
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff
63.0
65.0
Touchbacks
1
8
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs
0-0-0
2–11-0
Punt: Avg. / Return
0
5.5
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs
0-0-0
1–25-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return
0
25.0
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs
0-0-0
1-0-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs
0-0-0
1–5-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards
0
0
Poss. Time
31:55
28:05
3rd. Down Conv.
1 of 11
4 of 6
4th. Down Conversions
0 of 1
0 of 1
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances
1-2
5–5
Sacks: Total – Yds.
2-6
1-8
PAT: Total – Made
0-0
6–6
2PT Conversion: Total – Made
0-0
0-0
Field Goals: Total – Made
1-1
1-1
Key individual standouts:
🔸Timmy McClain (BCU): 13-of-16 passing, 86 yards—efficient and under control.
🔸Juan Dominguez (BCU Kicker): 32-yard field goal accounted for the only points.
🔸Stephen Sparrow (BCU) 9 tackles including 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss.
🔸Carson Beck (MIA): In near-perfect form with 22-of-24 for 267 yards, 2 TDs.
🔸Mark Fletcher Jr. (MIA): Rushed 11 times for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Week one is in the books, and this game went just about how we expected: Florida International flexed its FBS muscle, walking away with a 42–9 win over our Wildcats.
The odds makers listed BCU as 31 point underdogs heading into this contest. I disagreed and had this game pegged for something in the 41-21 range. I got the 41 part almost right, but unfortunately BCU could only muster three field goals in the contest. Thankfully I didn’t lose my lunch money by betting on Bethune but all was not lost by night’s end.
Here’s what stood out as things BCU can build on moving forward:
1. Relax everyone— This isn’t last year so let’s give the guys a chance to grow into the season. Especially since we knew going into this year that BCU was punching way above its weight class the first two weeks, facing FBS foes in back to back games. The FIU matchup was always going to be an uphill battle. Even still, the offense showed flashes of life piling up 346 yards of total offense (105 rushing, 241 passing)—over double the output from last year’s opener against USF, where they managed just 170 yards. The offense made five trips inside the red zone which is good. But unfortunately, the Cats settled for just three field goals.
2. Meet Javon Ross. Bethune has a fairly deep wide receiver room. On Friday night, it was Ross’ time to shine. The sophomore from Deland, Florida hauled in 6 catches for 109 yards. Fellow receivers Maleek Huggins and Lorenzo Jenkins have proven how productive they can be so watching Ross have a 100+ yard receiving night is something to build on as the season unfolds.
3. Marqui Johnson flashed when his number was called. The transfer running back from Montana State did not get the start the contest at running back. Yet he still went for 76 yards on 9 attempts, a whopping 8.4 yards per carry average.
4. The secondary battled and had a nice outing. Your leading tacklers on the evening were two secondary players, Antwone Watts (7) and Johnny Harris (6). The entire defensive backfield played well and were in good position all night delivering nearly half a dozen pass breakups including three that could have easily been interceptions. That is a good outing against a talented FIU offense.
5. Coach Woodie got a kicker we can trust. Juan Dominguez went 3-for-3 on field goals (35, 22, 28 yards). That kind of reliability can swing close games, and given how many BCU lost by slim margins last year, this is a big morale booster.
Final Thoughts
Despite the final scoreline, there are glimmers of life—an improved offense, a reliable kicker, and bright individual performances. There were some mistakes to extend drives, missed reads, dropped interceptions, and empty trips in the red zone. Those things sting a bit but are to be expected early in the season. Overall, there were seeds of progress when compared to last year. And that’s ultimately what this early part of the season is about, progress. I will take what I saw on Friday and look forward to next week’s matchup against #10 ranked Miami!
Sports has a way of giving us all kinds of sayings when the pressure’s on.
“Barbecue or mildew.”
“Put up or shut up.”
“Hunt or be hunted.”
“Run with the big dogs or stay on the porch.”
You’ve heard them. We all have. They’re different ways of saying the same thing: it’s time to deliver.
But for the 2025 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, no catchphrase is really needed this time around.
It’s just the simple reality of new season, new opportunity.
After all, BCU is coming off the roughest four-year stretch in its 100-year history.
But isn’t that what we love about new seasons? It’s a reset. A chance to change the narrative. And while it may be difficult to believe from the outside, there are reasons to feel optimistic about the 2025 campaign.
🏆 A Legacy Worth Fighting For
Bethune-Cookman boasts a proud football tradition with a resume stacked with decades of wins, championships, and pro-level pedigree. The Wildcats are:
Top 25 in FCS All-Time Winning Percentage with an all-time record of 510–351–27 (.590). That’s good enough for seventh all time amongst HBCUs.
5 Conference Titles over the past 20 years and 14 Conference Titles overall.
4 claimed Black College National Championships.
A NFL Hall of Famer in Larry Little. A Buck Buchanan Award winner in Rashean Mathis. Several NFL All-Pros, Pro- Bowlers, etc.
Bottomline, there is a ton of heritage attached to this BCU football program.
😔 A Historic Low Point
While Cookman has a ton of history to celebrate on the gridiron, we can’t pretend that the past four seasons have not been difficult for the maroon and gold. The Wildcats suffered 2–9 seasons in 2021 and 2022, a 3-8 season in 2023, and a 2–10 finish in 2024. The nine wins over the past four years represent the worst 4-year run in the program’s 100 years of playing tackle football as mentioned previously.
🔥 Why 2025 Could Be the Barbecue Season (No, Really)
Entering his third season, Coach Raymond Woodie Jr’s positive impact is being felt off the field.
Team GPA has risen from 2.4 to 3.25.
19 players earned 4.0 GPAs last season.
The team was removed from NCAA mandated practice time restrictions due to Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties.
New on-campus locker room. ✅. New showers. ✅. New facility upgrades. Underway.
These are all positives happening within the program and worth celebrating. But let’s take a look at why 2025 has a chance to be different ON THE FIELD.
🔁 Experience Returning
The 2025 version of the Bethune-Cookman football team is easily the most experienced team of the Raymond Woodie era. Heck, for the first time in 3 years, they actually had enough players to host a traditional Spring game.
Offense
Team continuity is a precious commodity in the current transfer portal era. Fortunately for Bethune, nine starters return on offense alone. That’s not to say that BCU was not impacted by the portal on offense. In fact, last year’s leading rusher, running back Dennis Palmer, and second leading receiver tight end Thomas Nance, transferred to FBS programs Troy and Temple respectively.
Beyond that, all other starters return on the offensive side of the ball. That’s HUGE!
QB Cam Ransom completed over 62% of his pass attempts last year throwing for 1843 yards and 11 touchdowns in the process. The big left hander from Lakeland was named to the Preseason All-SWAC 2nd Team. Ransom has the arm, the legs, and the poise to give BCU a chance on every snap. Transfers Tim McClain (Arkansas State) and Amari Jones (Florida International) are expected to push Ransom for snaps and provide the Wildcats with three top notch signal callers.
WR Malik Huggins is another Preseason All-SWAC 2nd Teamer. Huggins is dangerous in both the return game and in the slot. A six-yard slant can quickly become a 60-yard see-ya once Huggins gets his hands on the ball. Fellow slot receiver Javon Ross, had an incredible Spring and seems poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Pitt transfer Lorenzo Jenkins showed what he can do outside the numbers last season. Add all of that up, throw in a handful of newcomers who are expected to contribute right away and BCU has quietly put together one of the better wide receiver rooms in the SWAC.
O-Line: The entire starting group is back and anchored by freshman All-American Teko Shoats. This group got better as they got younger last season which is a crazy statement. Bethune finished 2024 with 3 true freshmen starting on the offensive line in the last few games. Ironically, the offense performed its best during that same span. The unit was bolstered in the offseason by getting a few guys healthy again, as well as adding new faces via the portal and on national signing day. Let’s see if the Wildcats can make the next leap forward as a collective unit in the trenches. If they can, watch out!
Defense
Seven starters return on defense. AJ Hall anchors the front seven from his defensive tackle position. Hall is yet another All-SWAC performer who will be joined by Preseason All-SWAC LB, Malik Stinnett and last year’s All-SWAC Preseason linebacker, Dearis Thomas, who spent the last 10 games of 2024 nursing an injury.
BCU suffered far more attrition to the portal on the defensive side of the ball losing 4 linemen and a linebacker to FBS and FCS schools alike. That means the newcomers in the front seven will have to produce right away to help offset these losses.
🗺️ The 2025 Roadmap
The Wildcats start the year on the road to face 3 of their 4 toughest opponents: at FIU, at Miami, and at South Carolina State respectively.
The non-conference slate wraps up on September 20th when a Brian Jenkins led Edward Waters visits Daytona Stadium for the first home game of the year.
The final 8 games are all against SWAC opponents. The home matchups include Alabama A&M (9/27), Southern (10/11), UAPB (10/25 homecoming), and MSVS (11/1).
BCU visits ASU (10/4), Grambling (11/8), JSU (11/15), and that school from one of those hills in Tallahassee on (11/22) in Orlando for the Florida Classic.
💥 The Case for BCU in 2025
Bethune lost 4 conference games a season ago by a combined 13 points. That’s painful. To add insult to injury, the Wildcats had the ball with a chance to win on the final possession in all 4 of those games. 2025 will look different if BCU can find a way to start winning the close games; or as Coach Woodie often says, “they have to finish”.
We expect the offense to be better; but how much better can they be is the real question yet to be answered.
The glass half empty crowd will point to the fact that the offense ranked in the bottom third of the conference in most major offensive metrics last year. The most important of which was 11th in points per game at a mere 20.2.
The glass half full crew understands that the current unit is more established, more experienced, and has more depth. We think the offense will need to be at least a 7-8 points better per game if they are to secure their first winning season in 5 years. That’s a huge number for sure but 27 points per game in modern college football is a more than reasonable expectation for winning squads.
On the defensive side of things, Coach Woodie has to hope that his unit performs closer to the way they did in his first season in 2023. That year, they finished 2nd in FCS in tackles for loss with 7.8 per game and gave up around 26 ppg.
If the season kicked off tomorrow, the Wildcats would be more than a one score underdog in 4 games (FIU, Miami, SC State, and Jackson State); they would likely be favored in 3 games (Edward Waters, UAPB, and MSVS); and the other 5 would likely be games under a one touchdown scoreline which we are considering toss up games (AAMU, ASU, SU, GSU, and FAMU). The straightest path to a .500 or better season is to win the games you’re favored in, and win more of the toss up games than you lose. That alone gets you to 6 wins if our point spread assumptions are true. If they can pull an upset or two or win a few more toss up games, now you’re talking a 7 or 8 win season. I think that would be a fully successful season in year 3 for Coach Woodie.
The good news is we won’t have to guess and “what-if” for much longer. We will soon get our answer as to whether the 2025 Wildcats will “barbecue or mildew”, “hunt or be hunted”, “run with the big dogs”… Like I said, you get the point.
National Signing Day (NSD) was once a holy day for college football junkies. The first Wednesday in February meant all eyes were fixed on hat ceremonies, ESPN, team websites, and last-minute surprises. Boosters and administrators would often cap the day with Signing Day Bashes, schedule reveals, and unbridled optimism about the future of their program. However, with the advent of the early signing period in December and the ever-chaotic transfer portal, February’s NSD has become an afterthought for many fans; and optimism has been replaced with a more cautious disposition.
But for the thousands of high school players putting pen to paper, this day is life-changing. It’s a defining moment for the young men officially joining college programs and for those who won’t receive the opportunity, forcing them to redefine their futures outside of football.
This year’s signing day for Bethune-Cookman is about filling gaps, reestablishing a winning culture, and adding depth to a roster that return 9 starters on offense—including 2nd Team All-SWAC RB Dennis Palmer, emerging true freshman OL standout Teko Shoats, and QB Cam Ransom who finished third in the SWAC in passing this past season. The Wildcats return 7 defensive starters as well.
With that in mind, here are the five most compelling storylines we’ll be following for BCU’s 2025 National Signing Day:
1. The Linebacker Situation
The Wildcats’ defense struggled to get off the field in key moments last season, and linebacker play was a major part of the equation. Will BCU add high-impact players at this position? Will they lean on transfers or high school signees? This will be a must-watch area of recruitment.
2. Cornerback Help
Bethune-Cookman’s secondary had its moments last season but lost its top cover man Andrew Volmer to graduation. The Wildcats need reinforcements at CB, whether through the portal or a few high-upside freshmen.
3. Beefing Up the Offensive Line
The offense brings back talent at the skill positions, but success will start in the trenches. The Wildcats return four starters on the offensive line including Teko Shoats, but a) how much depth do they have; and b) can they take the next step in improving their offensive output? Look for BCU to add multiple offensive linemen in this class.
4. The Shock Signee or Instant Impact Player
Every year a signing class has one player who turns heads—whether it’s a late addition, a highly rated recruit, or a transfer expected to make an immediate difference. Will BCU land an impact player on NSD?
5. Where Do Former BCU Players in the Portal Land?
The transfer portal has changed the game, and BCU has lost players to it. Ejike Brown and Ebenezer Dibula come to mind. Both were significant contributors along the defensive line in 2024 but opted for the portal. We hope they land somewhere and find success at their new programs. Best of luck to all of the former Wildcat student-athletes in the portal.
With these storylines in play, National Signing Day may not be what it once was, but for Bethune-Cookman, it remains a crucial step toward building a better football team. Stay locked in as we break it all down.
Bethune-Cookman Falls Short in 41-38 Florida Classic Thriller
The 2024 Florida Classic lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting matchups in HBCU football as Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M delivered a nail-biter and one of the best HBCU games of the season. Despite both teams entering the contest on two-game losing streaks, the Wildcats and Rattlers gave fans an entertaining and well-played 41-38 game that came down to the final drive and highlighted the best of this storied rivalry.
Game Summary
The game began with fireworks as FAMU’s Thad Franklin Jr. opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run on FAMU’s first possession.
Bethune-Cookman responded quickly with an amazing 77-yard punt return TD by Maleek Huggins, tying the game at 7-7. After a FAMU field goal, the Wildcats’ defense faltered momentarily, allowing a 12-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Richardson to Jamari Gassett early in the second quarter.
Bethune-Cookman fought back with freshman sensation Dennis Palmer breaking free for a 19-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 17-14. Quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom connected with Huggins on a 56-yard bomb with time winding down in the first half, giving the Wildcats a 21-17 lead at halftime and sending the BCU faithful into a frenzy.
The third quarter saw both teams trade scores. Cade Hechter’s 43-yard field goal extended BCU’s lead to 24-17 before Franklin Jr. struck again for FAMU with a 2-yard touchdown to even the game. A late field goal by Cameron Gillis put the Rattlers ahead 27-24 entering the fourth quarter.
The final quarter was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The Wildcats lined up for a would be 47-yard game tying field goal attempt early in the 4th but unfortunately, Hecter’s attempt sailed wide left.
On FAMU’s next snap, Franklin Jr. broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown to give FAMU a 34-24 lead.
Props to Cookman for coming right back and answering with a 5 play, 59 yard drive that ended with a 1-yard Palmer touchdown run to bring BCU within three (34-31).
After Kelvin Dean scored on an 11-yard run for FAMU (41-31), Palmer capped off his brilliant day with a 2-yard touchdown (41-38). But it wasn’t enough, as BCU’s final drive ended on an unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt as time expired.
Key Moments
The Wildcats had their highest scoring output of the year in Saturday’s matchup (38), but two key moments in the final quarter helped sealed Bethune-Cookman’s fate:
Missed Field Goal: Cade Hechter came up short on a 47-yard attempt with 12:21 remaining in the contest. BCU could have tied the game at 27 with a successful field goal but the kick sailed wide. The deflated defense took the field after the change of possession and gave up a 70 yard Rattler TD run on the first snap. BCU never tied or saw the lead again after that moment.
Another Missed Opportunity After Turnover Late in the game: Perhaps the biggest missed opportunity of the contest came later in the fourth quarter. BCU’s defense forced a FAMU turnover with 9:32 remaining. The Wildcat offense took over with great field position at the FAMU 39 yardline; and trailed by just three points (34-31). However, the Cats couldn’t capitalize, and stalled on 4 straight run plays. It was another late game missed opportunity and one that may have cost Bethune the contest.
Bright Spots for the Wildcats
There were plenty of positives for Bethune-Cookman. Junior Maleek Huggins announced his claim as a top playmaker in the SWAC with a career day, including his 77-yard punt return touchdown and a career high 177 receiving yards.
Freshman Dennis Palmer also showcased his potential, rushing for 178 yards and three touchdowns. These standout performances offered a glimpse into a brighter future for BCU football.
Safeties Antwone Watts and Raymond Woodie III paced the defense with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Watts also collected an interception on the evening.
A Classic to Remember
The two teams accounted for over 900 yards of total offense and treated the fans with momentum swings throughout the contest. From BCU’s late touchdown in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 21-17 halftime lead; to FAMU scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half. The game was very memorable and a reminder of why this matchup holds such a special place in the black college football world.
Bethune-Cookman will now shift its focus to the offseason, with plenty of lessons to build on from this rollercoaster season. With emerging stars like Huggins and Palmer, the Wildcats have a foundation to be optimistic about as they aim to turn the corner in 2025.
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