“Can’t Finish Cats”: A Tale of Missed Opportunities for Bethune-Cookman
For the second consecutive week and third time this season, Bethune-Cookman had the ball in the final moments of the contest with a chance to pull off a dramatic win. And for the second consecutive week and third time this season, the Wildcats fell short. Cade Hecter’s 54-yard field goal attempt landed just short in the closing seconds, sealing a narrow 14-17 loss to Texas Southern.
One Wildcat fan on social media called this team the “Can’t Finish Cats” after Saturday’s loss.
The phrase wasn’t coined to be cruel; but instead reflects the angst of the BCU faithful and the sentiments of Head Coach Raymond Woodie, who has emphasized all season long the need for his team to finish plays, finish drives, and finish games. Saturday’s contest against Texas Southern encapsulated that struggle.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half belonged to Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats played disciplined defense and completely neutralized Texas Southern’s potent rushing attack. The Wildcats held TSU to only 27 yards on the ground in the opening two quarters. Offensively, BCU struck early in the 2nd quarter when Cam Ransom connected with Maleek Huggins on a 62-yard seam route to take a 7-0 lead.
However, missed opportunities began to creep in soon after. A holding penalty wiped out what would have been a 36-yard touchdown run by Dennis Palmer on BCU’s next possession. Then, as time expired in the second quarter, Hecter uncharacteristically missed a chip-shot 25-yard field goal. Despite dominating the first half, Bethune-Cookman entered halftime with just a slim 7-0 lead.
Old MO-mentum not on BCU’s side
The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime as Texas Southern’s power running back Athean Renfro found his rhythm and led the Tigers to a strong second-half performance. Renfro racked up 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a critical 28-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to give TSU a 17-7 lead.
Fighting to the End
The Wildcats refused to fold as has been the case all season. With just over six minutes remaining, Ransom delivered a perfect 6 yard pass to Lorenzo Jenkins, who made an acrobatic, Sportscenter worthy touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone to cut the lead to 17-14. It was the second time this season Jenkins’ “Mossed” a defender for a score.
The Wildcats’ defense answered the call with a key stop, giving the offense one final opportunity with 2:32 left in the game. Bethune took over possession from their own 19-yard line and methodically moved the ball into Texas Southern territory. However, a little home cooking by the stadium clock operator cost the Wildcats 15-20 critical seconds during the final drive. Despite this, Ransom and the offense managed to set up Hecter for a 54-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds remaining.
Hecter, whose previous career-long was 48 yards, struck the ball cleanly but the kick fell just short, ending the Wildcats’ hopes of forcing overtime.
Final Thoughts
Missed opportunities continue to haunt this team but despite the heartbreak, there are bright spots. Bethune started 4 true freshmen on offense, three offensive linemen (Teko Shoats, Melvin Puckett, Vincent Forney) who held up well against a good TSU defense, and Dennis Palmer at running back.
Palmer finished the afternoon with 93 yards on the ground on 19 attempts.
Cam Ransom showed poise under pressure, finishing with 219 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-34 passing.
Maleek Huggins had arguably his best game in a BCU uniform hauling in 4 receptions for 97 yards including the 62 yarder for a TD. Thomas Nance added 8 receptions for 74 yards from the tight end position.
Kevin Washington Jr and Joshua Thornhill paced BCU defensively with 7 tackles apiece.
The Wildcats end the season next week in Orlando against in-state rival Florida A&M. As always, HailWildcats.com will be there to bring you all the action.
A Birthday Win for Coach Woodie: Wildcats Rally Past Grambling 24-21 in Thrilling Comeback
Credits: BCU Athletics
If you’ve ever spent time around Coach Raymond Woodie or listened to one of his interviews, you know he’s usually all business — calm, collected, and focused on the task at hand. But after Bethune-Cookman’s thrilling comeback victory over Grambling, Woodie’s usually stoic demeanor gave way to something rare: a big ear-to-ear, cheeseburger smile. This win was a great reminder of the team’s resilience and loyalty to their leader.
Coach Woodie stated in his postgame interview that all he wanted for his birthday was a win. The players seemed determined to grant that wish, and rallied from two 14-point deficits to defeat Grambling 24-21. For a team that’s endured a tough season, this win felt like a gift they had given to one another and their coach.
A Shaky Start and Early Deficit
The game didn’t begin in the Wildcats’ favor. Grambling struck first with a long, 8-play, 89-yard drive that ended in a 22-yard touchdown run by Keilon Elder, putting BCU in an early hole. The situation quickly worsened in the second quarter as Grambling’s Javon Robinson returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. To make matters even more challenging, starting quarterback Luke Sprague went down with a leg injury, thrusting backup Cam Ransom into the spotlight.
Ransom and his teammates rallied together and showed they weren’t about to let Coach Woodie’s birthday wish slip away.
Ransom and the Wildcats Find Their Rhythm
Ransom orchestrated a 7-play, 66-yard drive late in the second quarter connecting with senior Thomas Nance on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7 just before halftime.
After halftime, Grambling managed one more score on a 9-yard run by Deljay Bailey, stretching the lead back to 21-7; but that would be the last time Grambling would see the end zone. From that point on, BCU’s defense locked down.
The Comeback Begins
Midway through the third quarter, Cade Hechter’s 40-yard field goal brought the Wildcats back within striking distance at 21-10. Then, just minutes later, Ransom struck again. This time on a 58-yard touchdown pass down the seam to senior Darnell Dees. The Wildcats closed the gap to 21-17, and the energy on the sideline went through the roof. It was the most juice we have seen from BCU’s sidelines all season.
Sealing the Win in Style
As the third quarter wound down, Dennis Palmer delivered the final blow. Palmer broke free on a 42-yard run, the first of his collegiate career. His touchdown put BCU ahead for the first time, 24-21, and that’s where the score would stay.
Ransom finished the day 18 of 20 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats were led defensively by Adrian Hall Jr who had 8 total tackles including 1 for a loss. Orin Patu joined in with 6 tackles, a sack, and 2 tackles for loss. Joshua Thornhill and Caleb Blake each had interceptions, Thornhills killed off the game with 40 seconds remaining in the contest.
Team Stats Recap:
• Total Yards: Grambling 328, BCU 315
• Passing Yards: Grambling 206, BCU 235
• Rushing Yards: Grambling 122, BCU 80
• 3rd Down Conversions: BCU 5-13, Grambling 2-12
• Time of Possession: BCU 30:39, Grambling 29:21
A Birthday to Remember
The Wildcats may not be headed to the postseason play, but they’ve shown they still have plenty of heart and fight. And on this night, they gave Coach Woodie a birthday he — and the fans — won’t soon forget.
November Pressure Cooker: Why the Next Month Could Shape the Next Few Years of Bethune-Cookman Football
Bethune-Cookman football is entering a defining chapter, as November stands to be an evaluation and culture-shaping month that could impact the program for years to come.
The little private school on “Da Beach”, who thrives on overcoming obstacles and doing more with less, is facing one of the toughest stretches in its 101-year history of playing football. In fact, you would have to look back almost 40 years to find a low point even close to what Wildcat fans have witnessed over the past 4 seasons.
This article will try to highlight why the next four games represent not only an opportunity for redemption for the current coaching staff and squad; but a potential beachhead from which the Wildcats can launch as they attempt to ascend to the top of the mountain that is HBCU football.
A Historic Struggle with Consequences
The Wildcats are spiraling in one of the worst four-year runs that Bethune-Cookman football has ever endured and everyone feels the weight of this moment. The stakes are higher than ever for the coaching staff to chart a new course and improve on its 1-7 record.
A former Bethune-Cookman football player recently shared some valuable insight with me. He pointed out that this season’s lineup of games offers some uniquely relevant comparisons. BCU has played or will play 10 games this year against SWAC, FCS, and Division II competition. 8 of those 10 matchups will be against teams with first- or second-year head coaches. When you consider Coach Raymond Woodie Jr. is in his second year, it presents a fair basis for comparison to measure the development and progression of this year’s Bethune-Cookman team against those other squads with first and second year guys.
Reasonable conclusions can be drawn when you consider the shared realities between BCU and so much of its competition this season. To take it a step further, it would be irresponsible to not have reasonable expectations or hold this program accountable for their performances when the like for like comparisons are so abundant.
The Revenue Angle
Despite BCU’s lackluster on-field performance, the program isn’t operating without resources. Could things be better…well course. Could they be worse? That’s also true. But this current team has the luxury of a brand new on-campus artificial turf practice field. They have a new on-campus locker room. And they have access to the same on-campus grass practice field that Wesley Moore, Alvin Wyatt, and Brian Jenkins’ championship teams practiced on.
According to the July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 EADA report, BCU’s athletic department generated $13,636,502 in revenue. This figure is the fifth-highest in the SWAC and trailed only Southern, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M during the same timeframe. The financial report at least suggests that there are enough raw resources to work with to be competitive.
This is especially true when comparing BCU to fellow SWAC programs like Jackson State ($12,821,652) and Florida A&M ($13,172,315), and even MEAC powerhouses like North Carolina Central ($11,339, 477) and South Carolina State ($13,271,355) —all of whom generated less revenue during the same timeframe but achieved better results on the field.
When analyzing Bethune-Cookman’s 2024 EADA, the overall department revenue dropped precipitously from the year prior. Football specific expenses dropped from $5,270,780 in 2023 to $4,683,961 in 2024 which represents an 11.13% decrease.
Despite the decrease in football expenses, BCU still outspent Jackson State ($2,867,733) by almost $2 million in 2024.
November to Remember: Head to Head Evaluations Against First-Year Head Coaches in the SWAC
Considering BCU Athletics’ revenue is commensurate with its SWAC counterparts, let’s rule out the lack of resources as a factor in the team’s ongoing struggles. Instead, we can turn our attention to the field and make evaluations based on a) how this team has looked so far this season; and b) how the guys in maroon and gold will close out the year against similarly suited teams given the fact that all four games in November are against SWAC foes with first year head coaches:
• Grambling State: Head Coach Mickey Joseph
• Southern: Head Coach Terrence Graves
• Texas Southern: Head Coach Cris Dishman
• Florida A&M: Head Coach James Colzie.
The indictment against the Wildcats heading into these four contests is that the first year guys at GSU (4-4), SU (4-4), TxSU (3-4), and FAMU (4-3) have all won multiple games and are all floating around .500.
Considering this, the logical question is why does Bethune only have one win to this point?
With each passing week, the doubts surrounding this coaching staff, this team, and this program will only grow more and more if the team continues to struggle to find success.
On the other hand, winning a few of these last games would do more than boost this year’s record; it would send a message that Bethune-Cookman can compete with programs under similar rebuilding timelines and lay a foundation for a culture of competitiveness for the future. Even a few close losses could help build the case for Coach Woodie and his staff.
Transfer Portal and Roster Revamp: A Double-Edged Sword
Another crucial aspect of BCU’s rebuilding process that’s under the microscope is its utilization of the transfer portal. With 24 transfers on the roster this season, Coach Woodie has tapped into the potential of the portal to expedite a roster overhaul. However, the lack of return on that investment raises questions: has this transfer infusion truly moved the needle, or are we still looking for players to buy into the program’s culture and vision? What’s a reasonable amount of time supporters should expect for players to create cohesion, a shared sense of purpose, and a belief that winning here is possible?
That brings us to a hard lesson from earlier this season: Division II Clark Atlanta, winless in 2023, came into Daytona under a first-year coach, Teddy Keaton, and they walked away with a victory. Clark now sits at 5-2-1, and are assured of a winning record. This moment should serve as both a wake-up call and a challenge for BCU: if Clark can build a winning culture in such a short period, Bethune-Cookman supporters have every reason to demand the same.
What Needs to Happen in the Next Four Games
So, what does BCU need to accomplish over the next month to steer the program toward a stronger future?
1. Competitive Performances: The Wildcats need to play these next four games with consistent intensity and execution. They can’t just play well for a play, or a series, or a quarter, or a half. Football is a 60 minute game so play well to the end.
Close games, even if they end in narrow losses, will show that the team is competitive and progressing. Blowouts, however, would be another setback and may undermine the confidence of players and fans alike.
2. Defensive Accountability: The Wildcats have given up a staggering amount of yardage this season and rank last in the conference in total defense (490 ypg). To frustrate matters, a huge part of playing well on defense is effort and intensity; and effort and intensity are not something you can have questioned as a football team. To stand a chance against these upcoming SWAC teams, and to begin to rewrite the narrative around this program, the defense must prioritize tackling, play with some passion, and limit explosive plays. Or as Coach Woodie often states: play with technique, fundamentals, and attention to detail.
3. Offensive Improvement: The Wildcats’ offense looked as good as it had all season this past Saturday in the first half of the Jackson State game. Build on that. Play that way for 4 quarters and the offense should be fine. Quarterback Luke Sprague, running back Dennis Palmer, and wide receiver Lorenze Jenkins have all shown flashes recently. All three skill players are eligible to return next season. Couple that with several freshmen offensive linemen who have made their way into the starting lineup and you’re starting to create a foundation for the future on offense.
4. Cultural Cohesion: A consistent challenge for programs in rebuild mode is achieving cultural buy-in from players, especially with so many new faces. The next four games should reveal whether the team has developed any resiliency and buy-in; or if there is more work to do in bringing this roster together.
5. Winning at Least Two Games: BCU needs to demonstrate progress with wins. Capturing at least two victories over the next four games would signal the Wildcats are building forward momentum. Coach Woodie led BCU to 3 wins in his first season so anything less has to be considered a failure. A couple of wins against these SWAC foes would resonate through recruiting pipelines, fan engagement, and player morale, setting the tone for next year.
Building for the future
These next few matchups are more than just a series of games—they are a critical moment to shape the program’s identity and trajectory for years to come. It is an honest opportunity to assess where BCU stands relative to programs dealing with similar realities. Now is the time for the Wildcats to demonstrate that they are capable of competing and winning consistently.
This November will be remembered. The question is will it be remembered as the month BCU football began its resurgence or as another missed opportunity and setback for the program. Let’s hope that we can look back and say it was the start of something great. The future of Bethune-Cookman football is now, and it’s time to seize it.
Bethune Rises Over Valley 20-10: Wildcats Secure First Win of the Season
Credits: BCU Athletics
I know we’re a little late with the game summary, but you can blame that on us walking on Cloud 9 for the past few days. After six weeks of heartbreak, frustration, and doubt, Bethune-Cookman found a way to give us that winning feeling again. The Wildcats traveled to Itta Bena and came away with a 20-10 victory over Mississippi Valley State, notching their first win of the 2024 season.
The victory couldn’t have come at a more crucial time being that we are now in homecoming week. This was a win that provided more than just a tally in the win column—it was a much-needed morale boost for a team, fan base, and coaching staff desperate for something to celebrate.
Ground Game Dominates
The Wildcats came into the game with an offensive game plan focused on attacking Valley’s defense on the ground. BCU ended the day with 255 yards rushing, led by true freshman Dennis Palmer, who powered through for 126 yards on 27 carries. Palmer, the true freshman, earned SWAC Newcomer of the Week honors for his efforts.
BCU started slow offensively and failed to score on its first four offensive possessions. Mixed into those possessions were two Cam Ransom turnovers (an interception and a fumble), leading to some early frustration and an early deficit.
Captain Luke to the Rescue
Trailing Valley 3-0 and the offense struggling to sustain drives, Head Coach Raymond Woodie turned to his offensive captain, Luke Sprague, to turn the tide midway through the second quarter. Sprague, despite being voted as the team’s offensive captain, had only seen limited action in mop-up duty versus USF so far this season. Nevertheless, the 6’5”, senior quarterback gave the Wildcats the shot in the arm they needed when he entered the game. The energy shifted across the entire team once “Captain Luke,” “Luke Skywalker,” “Uncle Luke,” or just plain Luke took the helm.
Sprague rewarded the confidence of his teammates and coaches by leading BCU on:
a 6 play, 20 yard touchdown drive on his 1st possession;
a 5 play, 54 yard touchdown drive capped by an acrobatic Sprague to Lorenzo Jenkins 34 yard TD reception on his 2nd possession;
a field goal drive on his 3rd possession; and
a 16-play, 88-yard field goal drive to ice the game on his 5th possession.
That’s 4 scoring drives on 5 Sprague led possessions. Talk about getting it done! Salute to you, Captain Luke.
Game Changing plays
Props are due for several other game-changing moments as well. Valley had the ball 1st and goal from the BCU 2-yard line, trailing 17-10 to begin the 4th quarter. But the Wildcat defense stepped up, stopping the Delta Devils on three straight inside runs before Raymond Woodie III deflected a 4th-down pass. That huge defensive stand was followed by the 16-play, 88-yard drive that took 8:50 off the clock—all on running plays.
Punters Are Football Players Too
The run on that drive that took us all by surprise came from redshirt senior punter Anthony Frédérique. On 4th and 6 from their own 22-yard line, with 12:32 remaining the contest, BCU lined up to punt the ball back to Valley—or so we thought. Instead, the rugby-style punter faked the punt and ran 18 yards off the right side to the BCU 40 yardline for a first down. BCU finished the drive with Cade Hechter’s 22-yard field goal, sealing the final score at 20-10.
BCU will look to build on their newfound good vibes as they travel back home for a homecoming matchup against SWAC Eastern Division leader, Jackson State.
Bethune-Cookman football lost again this past Saturday, and this time it wasn’t even close. Alabama A&M decided they’d use their homecoming to throw themselves a little offensive party against our Wildcats. The final score? 56-12.
BCU’s defense gave up 701 yards of total offense on the afternoon. You read that right—701 yards. The 56 points were also the most points an Alabama A&M team has ever scored against a BCU squad. These are the kind of numbers that makes you wonder if the players and coaches snuck out a few days early to enjoy AAMU’s homecoming festivities on “The Hill”. Or could there have been other reasons that factored into the good guys not having their best performance on Saturday.
Hurricane Milton
It would be naive to think Hurricane Milton, which ravaged parts of Florida including parts of the Daytona Beach Area, didn’t play a role in Saturday’s performance. The team left Daytona early in the week as a result of the looming storm. And considering that the campus still has not reopened yet as damage assessments are still underway, you basically have a team of nomads at this point. So as much as we all love sports and tend to oversimplify what we see on the field of play, this coaching staff is leading a group of 18-23 year olds who are not just wandering around looking for a win, they are also searching for a sense of normalcy at the moment.
I think you have to consider the human condition when analyzing Saturday’s game but that’s me being rational. However, judging from reactions on social media, many Cookman fans are not willing to consider the effects of the hurricane on this team’s performance over the weekend. They acknowledge the storm may have knocked the team a little off course, but many fans also point to a pattern of troubling signs that are weeks… heck, years in the making now.
Did you know that the Wildcats have managed to win just one conference road game since joining the SWAC. One. Uno. That’s it. And if recent performances are any indication, that number may not change when BCU visits Itta Bena to take on winless Mississippi Valley State this weekend. Valley happens to be the only other winless team in the conference right now and they are the lone team BCU has defeated on the road since joining the league. Lose this week against Valley and Bethune quickly goes from a football program that’s struggling at the moment to a program that’s sinking in the storm.
Back to Saturday’s game; Alabama A&M is not some untouchable powerhouse. They are a decent SWAC program with a great offense for certain. But on the other side of the ball, AAMU had been giving up points like Halloween candy all season, yielding 40 points per game heading into Saturday’s matchup. Despite this, Bethune only managed to score one offensive touchdown and were held to just 181 total yards of offense. One hundred and eighty-one. That’s a stat line that’s hard to accept when facing larger FBS squads, but it’s almost unfathomable when playing against a struggling defense in your league.
Gaining just 181 yards on offense while surrendering 701 yards on defense is a good recipe for getting beat by “fawty”…well 44 actually but you get the point.
As loud as those numbers are, Cookman fans are speaking louder than the final score or stat lines. Fans are tired. They’re frustrated. They’re even becoming apathetic. The once-vibrant BCU football community that rallied around the maroon and gold; and homecoming; and the Florida Classic is starting to make other weekend plans. I mean, when even homecoming and the Classic are met with a shrug, you know that apathy is setting in. There’s a collective “why bother?” spreading through the Wildcat faithful.
So, what can change now? What needs to change to keep this ship from completely capsizing?
At the top of the list of what needs to change is this team needs to find an identity. Right now, they’re a bunch of guys wearing the same uniform, but there’s no cohesion, no fire, no sense of unified purpose. The frustration that I hear expressed over and over and over again from former Wildcat players, from fans, and even from outside observers is that this just does not look or feel like Bethune-Cookman football.
And it is not just about wins and losses; but a culture of overcoming and making something out of nothing that Bethun-Cookman has always prided itself on. That’s missing right now. Call me gullible but I still think Coach Raymond Woodie can instill that identity into this squad. It’s just taking far longer than any of us anticipated.
The offense is broken and currently ranked second to last in the conference in total yards (248.3) and points per game (17.7). The defense has taken a giant step backwards from last year’s squad and they too are hanging out in embarrassment territory. The defense is last in total defense (516.8 ypg) and second to last in scoring defense (43 ppg). These things are huge problems but how do they fix it over the last half of the season? Is it time to go younger and play more freshmen and sophomores and prepare for next year? Or do they stay the course and just do what they have been doing but just try to be a little better in the execution?
Whether it’s a shift in coaching philosophy, or simply playing with some heart, something’s got to give. Because at this rate, the Wildcats aren’t just losing games—they’re losing their community and their identity. And once that’s gone, it’s a much harder rebuild than just fixing the football team.
Bethune-Cookman’s 2024 season took another frustrating turn in their 26-21 loss to Alabama State, dropping the Wildcats to 0-5. The game encapsulated both the ongoing struggles and potential flashes of a team in need of a breakthrough.
Game Recap
Alabama State dominated early, especially on the ground, rushing for 308 yards on 55 attempts. The Hornets built a 26-7 lead, and by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, it felt like another routine loss for BCU. However, the Wildcats showed signs of life in the final six and a half minutes, scoring two late touchdowns to narrow the gap to 26-21. BCU even had the ball with a chance to win, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell short.
It was the second consecutive year that the Wildcats lost to the Hornets by 5 points and had a chance to win on their final offensive possession.
Despite the rally, the game was defined by BCU’s inability to contain Alabama State’s rushing attack, which consistently kept the Wildcats’ defense on its heels. Three ASU players rushed for at least 70 yards: Jamarie Hostzclaw (120), AJ Gates (74), and Daquon Kincey (71).
On the other side of the ball, BCU’s offense struggled for large stretches of the game, and finished the contest with just 241 yards of total offense. Two fourth quarter touchdowns on one yard touchdown plunges by Cam Ransom and Courtney Reese breathed new life into the contest. BCU’s offense regained possession on its own 25 yard line with 2:04 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the offense turned the ball over on downs after 4 straight plays and the Hornets escaped Daytona with a win.
This game felt like a microcosm of BCU’s 2024 season so far—a team capable of brief flashes of promise but unable to sustain the level of execution needed to win. The fact that they had the ball with a chance to win speaks to their potential, but the slow start, defensive issues, and ultimately inability to make the plays needed to close out the contest reveals where this program is in their rebuild.
Where do we go from here? That’s the question looming large over this program. There are certainly positives to take away from Saturday’s contest, especially in the way the team fought back late in the game. But the continued inability to get stops on defense and inconsistent offensive production are glaring concerns.
From a defensive standpoint, Bama State was down to its third string, freshman quarterback. Everyone on both sides of the Mississippi knew the Hornets would heavily rely upon their rushing attack. Yet BCU just could not stop it. There is nothing more frustrating in all of sports than to know what your opponent is about to do but still be unable to stop it. The combination of bad tackling and just plain getting moved off the line of scrimmage was unsettling for the BCU faithful.
Offensively, while the late-game surge was impressive, there was little rhythm for the Cats throughout the contest. For the 4th time in 5 games, BCU was held under 100 yards rushing and under 300 yards of total offense. At the risk of sounding cynical, the rules of modern football favors the offense so not amassing 300 yards of total offense in 80% of your games is beyond alarming.
So where do the Wildcats go from here with an 0-5 record, and the margin for error being razor-thin.
-Is it time for a quarterback change? Cam Ransom has played well enough under center but Luke Sprauge and Micah Bowen are different types of QBs and can perhaps add a different complexion to the offense.
-Does Coach Woodie go with a youth movement and begin preparing for next season by playing more freshmen and sophomores? Heck, True Freshman Dennis Palmer entered the game in the second half and ran the ball pretty well. He is the only true big back BCU has. Palmer was BCU’s top rusher on the evening and helped spark the late comeback effort.
-Will Coach Woodie stay the course and trust that things will start to come together knowing that the team is only one game out of first place in a wacky SWAC East?
BCU Pride
I met a young lady sitting in Section B, Row 32 who attended Saturday’s matchup. It was her first ever HBCU game or any live football game for that fact. Midway through the third quarter, I asked her her thoughts on the game and she said “this is trash”. Our guys are not doing well and they don’t seem to care”.
Her boyfriend chimed in and said “the only entertainment is seeing what can go wrong next”. I ran into them both after the game and each had in their hands gold t-shirts they just purchased from stadium vendors which read “BCU Pride”.
Bethune may be wading in troubled waters…heck, sometimes it feels like they may be wading through trash. But in the end, BCU Pride is worth playing for and believing in. It was at least worth believing in for the young lady and her boyfriend by the end of Saturday’s contest. Whether it’s worth playing for moving forward is totally up to the guys on the field.
Bethune-Cookman at a Crossroads: Alabama State Showdown Holds the Key to the Season
Photo by David Campbell/Alabama State University
Bethune-Cookman football is at a pivotal moment. At the start of the season, I felt the two most important games of the year would be: 1) the game against Mercer to determine how BCU stacked up against FCS playoff caliber programs; and 2) the first SWAC matchup against Alabama State as it sets the tone for conference play.
Well we are here now. Today’s game against Alabama State is more than just another Saturday under the sun—it’s a fork in the road that could define this season and beyond. With a win, the Wildcats will sit atop the SWAC East despite the early season struggles. But with a loss, the downward spiral accelerates, and the voices of doubt—already echoing through the stands—will only grow louder.
The scars of last week’s stunning 37-38 defeat to Division II Clark Atlanta are still fresh. Losing to a lower-tier SIAC opponent left the fan base reeling, and understandably so. But before we allow despair to overtake us, let’s remember that Alabama State is no stranger to stumbling against SIAC foes themselves. Last season, they fell to Miles College 17-21 and Tuskegee has been a constant thorn in their side going 4-4 with the Hornets over the past 8 seasons.
It is a reminder that anything can happen on any given Saturday.
A win today won’t just change the standings in the SWAC; it could change the narrative for Bethune-Cookman Football. For a team that has struggled to gain momentum, today is the opportunity to breathe new life into this season. A victory today would be a symbol of resilience, a statement that this team still has fight left. For a fan base that has had little to celebrate in recent years, it would be the jolt of hope we so desperately need.
Keys to Victory
1. Defensive Discipline– Bethune-Cookman’s defense must rebound from the alarming trend of allowing big plays. Alabama State is not a quick strike offense so the Wildcats cannot afford to give up scores based on missed assignments and/or alignment issues.
2. Contain the Run– Alabama State’s offense thrives on establishing the ground game. The Wildcats’ front seven needs to plug gaps, force third-and-long situations, and limit explosive rushes. If they can slow down Alabama State’s run game, BCU has a chance to control the tempo.
3. Capitalize on Turnovers – In a game of this magnitude that is expected to be low scoring, turnover margin will likely be the difference. BCU needs to force mistakes, and more importantly, capitalize on them with points. Turnovers give the defense a rest and provide short fields for the offense to operate. For those same reasons, the Cats need to limit turnovers.
What a Win Would Mean
A win today would mean…well…EVERYTHING. It would show that Coach Woodie and his guys are capable of bouncing back from adversity and that they can compete within the SWAC. A victory puts BCU at the top of the SWAC East. The confidence boost alone would be immense for a squad that has been battered by doubt.
Winning today means silencing the “boo birds” and showing the rest of the SWAC that Bethune-Cookman is still a program to be reckoned with.
But if the Wildcats fall short, the frustration will grow, and the climb back will become steeper. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Today is a chance for redemption; and in just a few hours, we will see “who will ascend to the top of the mountain”.
After three days of processing, grieving, giving and receiving emotional support hugs; I think I am finally ready to talk about this past Saturday’s loss to Clark Atlanta so here goes. I am….
Embarrassed. Pissed. Frustrated. Devastated. Apoplectic. And I ain’t the only one.
Bethune-Cookman fans have spent the past few days asking “what the heck (WTH)”. Well, I have asked what the heck. Many Wildcat fans have substituted heck with more colorful language when contemplating BCU’s unthinkable collapse this weekend.
This isn’t the first time Wildcat fans have been stunned by a huge upset loss. In 2009, Coach Alvin “Shine” Wyatt’s squad fell 9-20 to Division II Shaw University. But we knew Coach Wyatt committed to a youth movement at that time and was prepping for the future and providing valuable snaps to future BCU legends like Ryan Davis, Ryan Lewis, and Reggie Sandilands who were all young players at the time.
The 2016 loss to Savannah State was a WTH moment too but even then, SSU was a FCS program and Terry Sims’ squad was missing 16 starters due to injury when they lost that game.
Saturday’s loss just felt different. BCU blew a 24-point lead to Division II Clark Atlanta and lost 37-38 in a game that can only be described as embarrassing and borderline unforgivable. The Wildcats came into this matchup hoping for a confidence-boosting victory but left with their heads hanging low, and now staring down four straight losses as SWAC play looms.
To give credit where it’s due, Clark Atlanta Head Coach Teddy Keaton and his staff deserve all the praise for their team’s preparation and resilience. Keaton’s men orchestrated an amazing come from behind upset, and played Bethune-Cookman off the field in the second half. His players, many of whom hail from the State of Florida, and who according to Coach Keaton were grossly overlooked in the recruiting process, proved they belonged on the same field as their FCS counterparts.
Clark Atlanta’s quarterback David Wright III and wide receiver Armone Harris grew up together and were teammates at Tampa Bay Tech. Wide Receiver Jamal Jones played on the same high school team as BCU quarterback Cam Ransom. By night’s end, Wright finished the game 30/49 for 374 yards passing and 4 touchdowns, Harris hauled in 6 catches for 94 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Jones finished with a game high 10 receptions for 127 yards. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but hats off to Coach Keaton and his players for a remarkable effort.
As for the Wildcats, this loss is hard to sugarcoat. Surrendering a 24-point lead to a lower-tier Division II opponent is an issue unto itself. That would be enough to make your head spin but it borders on the absurd when you consider the Wildcats:
surrendered 3 scoring drives of 98 yards or more in the contest; including a 99 yard scoring drive that ended with a 55 yard Leonardo Cabrera field goal as time expired;
the offense had minus 6 yards rushing in the second half and managed to score just three points after halftime;
the 12 penalties for 117 yards including a few unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that extended drives. Yes, one of those unsportsmanlike penalties set the Panthers up for the game winner;
the two loss fumbles.
As I said earlier…WTH? What kind of strange hoodoo is plaguing our favorite team?
Fans have overrun social media with questions about the team’s mental toughness, concerns about coaching, discipline, and execution. After four straight losses, including this devastating one, how can you blame them? These are fair questions at this point. Yes, it was an embarrassing loss. Yes, Clark Atlanta made the better coaching adjustments over the course of the games. Yes, the Wildcats were outplayed for the last two and a half quarters.
But having said all of that, it is far too early in the season and too soon in Raymond Woodie Jr,’s head coaching career to dismiss this team and/or coaching staff.
Coach Woodie and his staff have a lot to figure out this week. Whether it’s scheming better on defense, getting more consistency from their offense, eliminating self-inflicted mistakes, or simply instilling some belief in this battered team. What’s clear is that something has to change. That’s for dang sure. I won’t begin to pretend that I have any answers; what I do know is something has to change and change quickly.
The road doesn’t get any easier from here, but the Wildcats still have a chance to make something of their season. Alabama State roll into town this Saturday. If BCU finds a way to win this contest, they exit Saturday sitting atop the SWAC East Standings and everything is just fine. However, if they lose to the Hornets; they will have to relive the Clark loss all over again. And the Mercer loss. And the 8 losses from last year. And the 9 from the season before. You get the point. Losing begets losing and in many ways, that’s the greatest hurdle for this team right now.
They just don’t know how to win.
Since Woodie’s arrival, BCU often find themselves in a position to win games. But as coach expressed again on Saturday, “they just have to find a way to finish.”
It’s almost as if the guys can taste victory so they just start pressing a little too hard. A dropped pass here. A fumble there. Sprinkle in a few blown coverages and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and BAM; you’re staring 0-4 in the face.
On a positive note, all of these things are correctable and within your control.
Another positive to take away from Saturday’s contest is BCU’s offense easily had their best game of the season racking up season highs in total yards (477), passing yards (382), and points (37). Most of this production occurred in the first half where BCU scored on all five of its possessions. The offensive production gives you something to build on and feel good about moving forward.
SWAC play begins this week and presents an opportunity for redemption, but only if Bethune-Cookman can find answers quickly. Let’s pray that they do because I want to leave Daytona Stadium with that “Old BC Spirit” and not the WTH spirit if you know what I mean.
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