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.
Mercer, Mercer Me…Things Ain’t What They Use to Be. Wildcats Blasted 31-2 by the Bears.
Remember the good old days when Bethune-Cookman was a perennial Top 25 program and frequent visitor to the FCS playoffs? The days when the Wildcats would roll into your trap and take over your trap. Well these ain’t them days. At least not at this early juncture of the season they are not.
Saturday’s contest against the Mercer Bears, who won a FCS playoff game last season and are currently ranked 24th in FCS Coaches’ Poll, was the first genuine opportunity of the Raymond Woodie era to see how close the BCU football program was to returning to those former days of glory. The test results were emphatic—BCU still has a ways to go to close the gap on the top teams at this level.
Heck, if you’re just looking at the 31-2 scoreline, it would suggest BCU failed the first early season test miserably. But football is a situational game and a play or two here or there changes the entire complexion of the contest. After watching that game live on Saturday, and re-watching it online two additional times on Sunday, my conclusion is this: there is no need to hit the panic button, but there are reasons to be concerned.
So how did we get here? How did this Cookman team, who had elevated expectations coming into the season, end up on the wrong side of a completely lopsided scoreline?
Well for starters, Mercer is a really good football program. Like really, really good. Much respect to the coaching staff and players from the Middle Georgia school. Bethune won’t be the only team on the wrong side of the win/loss column against Mercer.
The Bears demonstrated what good football programs do.
They make the critical plays when they are there to be made.
They weather adversity.
They make the right adjustments.
They win the situational game.
The Wildcats did none of these things quite so well on Saturday.
Mercer quarterback, DJ Smith connected with slot receiver Bryden Smith on a wheel route for a 50-yard touchdown at the 6:06 mark of the second quarter to open the game’s scoring.
Smith’s, bubble screen to Parker Wroble ended as a 14-yard TD with 1:25 left in the second quarter. And 23 seconds later, Mercer turned a BCU interception into a 21-0 lead when Smith tossed his third TD pass of the half to wideout Kelin Parsons.
If you are keeping up at home, the score went from 0-0 to 21-0 in 4:41 of game time. YIKES. And that still only reveals a part of the story.
Too Aggressive, Too Soon
Trailing 14-0 with 1:20 left in the half, BCU took over at its own 29 yardline. The Wildcats were still very much in the contest and playing well at this point. Conventional wisdom say you play the percentages, take a knee, and get to halftime trailing by only 2 scores. This is specifically true since BCU was set to receive the ball to begin the 3rd quarter. However, the Wildcats threw caution to the wind and came out aggressive. Mercer made BCU pay for the decision by intercepting a Cam Ransom pass and returning it BCU’s 15 yardline.
The Bears scored on the next play pushing the lead to 21 and killed off the game at that point.
42-point swing
As wild as it sounds, BCU could have just as easily taken a 21-point lead into halftime instead of trailing by as many.
On its opening possession of the game, the Wildcats drove the ball to the Mercer 6-yard line before fumbling it away on 2nd and goal. It was an 100% avoidable error by the BCU offense. The ball was not stripped, it was simply bad ballhandling by QB Cam Ransom.
Let’s assume BCU scores a TD on that drive. That’s 7 points you left on the field.
On the next possession, Ransom found Lorenzo Jenkins on a deep post and 5 yards behind the nearest defender. Unfortunately for BCU, Jenkins dropped what would have been a certain 87-yard TD reception.
To add to the missed opportunities, on BCU’s first possession of the second quarter, Ransom found Corey Turner streaking down the middle of the field and delivered a perfect pass into the hands of Turner. Actually, he delivered a perfect pass through the hands of Turner who was about 7 yards behind the nearest defender when he dropped a surefire touchdown. When that ball hit the turf, so too did the air from the team and the 8,484 Wildcat fans in attendance.
There are not very many teams who are good enough to overcome squandering three gimmie touchdowns. Mercer went on to score on their next three possessions of the first half.
Speaking of Mercer’s first half touchdowns, on each of those scores, you can clearly see blown coverages by BCU’s safeties who were way out of position and their eyes locked in the backfield.
The bad news is the six plays I just described saw a 42-point swing in the game. Instead of nursing a 3-score lead, the Wildcats entered halftime chasing a 21-point deficit.
The good news is that each of those six plays are easily correctable. All six were unforced errors by BCU. But that’s the difference between being a playoff team and a team still finding its way at this level. The Mercer type teams make those plays and punish other teams’ mistakes, while teams who are in a bad run of form like Bethune-Cookman come up just short.
Some things are easily correctable, others not so much!
I don’t know the analytics on this but I will go on record as saying that teams with a 42-point swing in their favor win more than 90% of those games. Wildcat fans can take some solace in that fact knowing that they were a half dozen plays away in this contest. What’s worrisome for BCU fans is a) they are not making those plays; and b) the overall lack of production of the offense.
Cookman ran the ball 26 times for 29 yards in the contest. That’s a dreadful 1.1 yard per rushing attempt. DREADFUL! I don’t know how you fix that but offensive coordinator, Joe Gerbino, is going to have to figure it out real soon if BCU is to have their first winning season in 4 years.
And just to stress the point, it’s not like the running stats were low because the passing game was clicking. The Wildcats only completed 48% of their pass attempts and only managed 127 yards through the air. They were 0 for 12 on 3rd down conversions and only eclipsed the 100 yards of total offense mark on the 2nd to last play of the game. BCU ended the night without an offensive score and they are still looking for their first offensive touchdown of the season. The lone Wildcats score of the night came on an Orin Patu sack which ended in a safety.
So I’ll say it again, DREADFUL! I don’t know how you fix that but offensive coordinator, Joe Gerbino, is going to have to figure it out real soon if BCU is to have their first winning season in 4 years.
It is still early in the season. All of BCU’s season goals are still in front of them so the panic button is safely locked away. The Mercer test was a bit too much to overcome but there is plenty of time to improve that grade. If BCU can make the plays when they are there to be made, correct the alignment and eye discipline miscues on defense, and get some production from its offense, they will be fine. If not, then just play the Marvin Gaye tunes because things just ain’t what they use to be.
Bethune-Cookman’s season opener against the University of South Florida concluded with a lopsided 48-3 scoreline. While the outcome was tough, it’s important to remember that these “money games” are a necessary part of the journey for FCS programs and despite the result, the ultimate objective is to gain valuable experience and prepare for the season ahead.
With that in mind, the Wildcats avoided any significant injuries—a critical win in its own right, given the challenge of facing a FBS team in Week One. Running back and kick returner Darnell Deas appeared slightly hobbled in the second half, but overall, the team emerged relatively unscathed.
We hoped the defense could have kept USF under 50 points and the offense would have scored at least 20 but only half of that mission was accomplished. USF was held under the half century mark, but the Wildcats couldn’t find the end zone, and managed to only score a field goal. The lack of offensive production was a letdown, but we will delay our early season assessment of the offense until next Saturday’s contest against FCS opponent Mercer.
On the positive side, there were several individual performances that stood out. Here are a few:
1. Dearis Thomas showed why he’s a 2nd Team All-SWAC performer, recording 8 tackles; 2 of which were for losses. Thomas was not included in the starting lineup but his impact was felt the moment he stepped onto the field, and his consistent play-making ability was a bright spot in the game. He is one of those guys who fly around and always end up around the ball. Not only was Thomas BCU’s best defensive performer, he may have been the most impressive defensive player of the night for either team.
2. Caleb Blake also flashed on both special teams and defense. His athleticism and presence on the field were noticeable throughout the night. Blake made plays in space where some other secondary players struggled. He also ran down a USF punt returner from behind saving a certain touchdown. Actually that play was brought back due to a holding penalty but neither Blake or the ball carrier knew that as the play was happening. The transfer graduate student from Missouri State looks to be a player who could contribute significantly as the season progresses. Since we are talking about secondary players making plays in space, shout out to Shawn Russ for also making a couple of big tackles with a lot of grass behind him once he got into the game.
3. Quarterback Cam Ransom took over the quarterback duties from starter Micah Bowens midway through the 2nd quarter. Ransom led BCU on its only scoring drive of the contest and he looked rather comfortable running the offense. Ransom, who played high school football not too far from Raymond James Stadium at Seffner Armwood, finished the contest a respectable 12 for 19 through the air. His ability to move the offense, even in a tough match up, is something for the offense to build on moving forward.
4. Sophomore wide receiver, Lorenzo Jenkins, led BCU in receiving. The 6’3” Jenkins hauled in 5 catches for 53 yards in his first official contest for the Wildcats after transferring in from the Pitt Panthers. Jenkins managed to get separation throughout the night and made a pair of tough catches, showing good hands and body control in doing so.
5. This may seem strange when considering the final scoreline but we think acknowledgement of the defensive front seven is appropriate. Yeah I know, USF had over 200 yards rushing and they scored 48 points. Having said that, the front seven wasn’t getting blown off the ball, there weren’t running lanes the size of the Gulf of Mexico, and members of the front seven often won their individual match ups. The defense was able to get off the field in a few key short yardage and goal to go situations. So while their performance was far from perfect, we saw enough from the front seven to make us feel encouraged about how they can match up against teams at the FCS level.
In conclusion, the scoreline was harsh but BCU achieved some of the objectives the HailWildcats.com staff was eyeing going into the game. There’s work to be done, but the Wildcats have a foundation to build on as they move into Week Two of the young season.
Next week Mercer University comes to town and we will learn a lot more about the 2024 edition of the Fighting Wildcats at that time.
It’s game week Wildcat fans and we are more excited than “a single woman sitting in the front row at an Usher concert”. To say that there is a sense of renewed optimism in Daytona Beach headed into the 2024 season is an understatement. Bethune-Cookman enjoyed a successful offseason bringing in a highly rated recruiting class to go along with key returners from last year’s squad. This, along with several other intriguing storylines, has fans believing the Wildcats can turn things around this season.
A Quick Look Back: The 2023 Season
The 2023 season was one of rebuilding and recalibrating for Bethune-Cookman. Despite flashes of promise, the Wildcats struggled to find consistency, particularly on offense. The team averaged just 18.5 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the SWAC in most offensive categories. Defensively, the unit showed promise but often found itself on the field too long due to the offense’s inability to sustain drives.
Nonetheless, the silver lining came in the form of BCU’s competitiveness and emergence of young talent. One possession losses against Alabama State and Jackson State on the road; and Preseason 2nd Team All -SWAC honors for guys like Dearis Thomas attest to these facts.
A Strong 2024 Recruiting Class
Coach Raymond Woodie and his staff had a heck of an offseason and did an amazing job of upgrading the talent on this roster. The Wildcats secured a top-tier 2024 recruiting class, featuring several players who are expected to contribute right away. One late addition to the squad is that of transfer quarterback Micah Bowens from Oklahoma/Charlotte, who brings a dual-threat skillset with him, and has fans excited about the potential for a more dynamic offense. Other notable additions include the likes of Raymond Woodie III, Orin Patu, Dallaz Corbitt, and Trey Mejia-Paster, all of whom add playmaking ability to a defense that showed flashes of potential last year.
Top 5 Storylines for the 2024 Season
1. Quarterback Play: Who Will Take the Helm?
Bethune-Cookman enters the 2024 season with a crowded quarterback room. Luke Sprague, Walt Simmons, Tylik Bethea, and Cam Ransom all return from last year’s squad. Simmons, however, has switched positions to wide receiver, adding versatility to the offense. The big addition to the QB room is Bowens, a transfer who brings experience from Power 5 programs. The battle for the starting job will be one of the most closely watched through the first four games as BCU tune up for SWAC play. We expect that the job is Luke Sprague’s unless someone else can wrestle it away. Sprague is a capable starter who returns for year two in this offense. Sprague’s 2023 season was derailed and ultimately ended prematurely after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Miami game and then re-aggravating the injury in the Southern game. Whoever wins the job will need to improve upon last year’s offensive struggles but there certainly are options at the QB position this time around.
2. More Offensive Woes 🫣 or New Offensive Whoas 🙌?
The Wildcats’ offense was their Achilles’ heel in 2023. Ranking near the bottom of the SWAC in total yards and points per game, improvement is critical if Bethune-Cookman is to compete this year. The good news is that the offensive line returns four starters, providing stability up front. Additionally, the running back room has been bolstered by transfers Courtney Reese (UNLV) and Cross Patton (Nevada); as well as the return of JoJo Bazil from an early season injury which caused him to miss the bulk of the 2023 campaign. If the line can gel and the running game can take off, it could open up opportunities for the rest of the offense. The bad news is last year’s struggles are still fresh in mind so the offense will need to prove early that it can consistently move the ball and score points to eliminate doubt from creeping in.
3. Newcomers on Offense and Defense: Immediate Impact?
In addition to some of the names mentioned earlier, guys like Surafel Seyfu and Cameron Vaughn will look to strengthen the offensive line. Caleb Blake (Missouri State) and Andrew Volmer (Louisiana Monroe) were starters at the Group of Five level before transferring to BCU and both will look to help fortify the defensive secondary.
Wide receiver is perhaps the position group that is most in need of an emerging star. Quite a few guys showed flashes in Fall Camp, including a couple of true freshmen. However, we still don’t have a good handle on who will emerge as the top pass catcher or playmaker among the receivers.
4. 7 Wins in 3 Years: Could This Year’s Team Match That Total?
BCU has won just seven games over the last three seasons. (Ouch!) However, there’s a growing belief that this year’s squad could perhaps match that win total in one season alone. The combination of returning talent, impact transfers, and a full offseason under the leadership of Coach Woodie gives the Wildcats a realistic shot at a winning season. If the team can stay healthy and the newcomers contribute as expected, the Wildcats could be in for a significant turnaround.
5. New Excitement: A Buzz Around the Program
There’s a renewed excitement around Bethune-Cookman football heading into 2024. From the energy of the new recruits to the potential of a retooled offense, fans have reason to be optimistic. Head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. has emphasized a culture of competition and accountability, and it’s clear that this year’s team has bought in. The Wildcats will have opportunities early in the season to prove they’re a different team from last year. After the season opener against South Florida, BCU hosts Mercer in Daytona Stadium. Mercer not only made the FCS playoffs a season ago; they also won a playoff game. If Cookman can find a way to beat Mercer and prove to themselves that they can win games against quality opponents, the boost in confidence could translate into the type of season that fans have been longing for since joining the SWAC. Two weeks after the Mercer contest, BCU face DII Clark Atlanta before entering conference play against Alabama State. It is not realistic to believe BCU could enter SWAC play at 2-2 on the season.
Conclusion
Simply put, the 2024 Wildcats have the potential to exceed expectations and make a statement in the league. While challenges remain, the pieces are in place for a successful campaign. In a few short days, we will get our first glimpse into what this year’s version of Bethune-Cookman football has in store.
The 2024 season is fast approaching, and the excitement is palpable among Wildcats fans as we anticipate the resurgence of our beloved football program. While we’re still waiting for the official roster and two-deep depth chart from the university, the HailWildcats.com squad has been hard at work analyzing returning players from last season, Spring football highlights, and Fall camp reports to give you our best projection of who might emerge as the starting 11 on both sides of the ball.
Let’s be extremely clear about this, this list is purely speculative and not an official depth chart. What it is is a glimpse into some of the guys that we expect to make a strong impact on the 2024 season of Wildcat football based on the potential and progression we have observed.
The great news is that we only have a few more short weeks before we all get to see how these talented players, as well as others not named on this list, will step up and make their mark on the field of play.
Offense:
Quarterback (QB): Luke Sprague
Running Back (RB): Courtney Reese/ JoJo Brazil
Wide Receiver (WR-X): Jalen Brown
Wide Receiver (WR-Z): Lorenzo Jenkins
Wide Receiver (WR-Y): Omari Stewart
Left Tackle (LT): Cam Vaughn
Left Guard (LG): Surafel Seyfu
Center (C): David Poutasi
Right Guard (RG): Christopher McAlpin
Right Tackle (RT): Trevaris Hammond
Tight End (TE): Thomas Nance
Defense:
Defensive End (DE): Dallaz Corbitt
Defensive Tackle (NT): Adrian Hall
Defensive Tackle (DT): Dario Melendez
Edge: Orin Patu
Linebacker (LB): Dearis Thomas/ Kevin Washington
Linebacker (LB): Trey Paster
Cornerback (CB): Andrew Volmer
Strong Safety (SS): Joshua Thornhill / Shawn Russ
Free Safety (FS): Raymond Woodie III
Cornerback (CB): Johnnie Harris
Nickle (STAR): Stephen Sparrow
Specialists:
Punter: Max Tulen
Kicker: Anthony Frédérique
Long Snapper: Clayton Thomas
Kick Returner: Darnell Deas
Punt Returner: Ray Woodie
Stay tuned for updates and let’s get ready to cheer on the Wildcats! 🏈 #AllHail
What’s up Wildcat Fans. HailWildcats.com is back at it for the 2024 season, and it’s gonna be a great one
Sure, we’ve been quiet lately laying low, taking in all the off-season news, and waiting for the right moment to add our twenty-five cents to the jukebox. Well, consider the quarter inserted. We’re excited to bring you in-depth Wildcats coverage all season long.
To kick things off, here’s a recap of the Wildcats’ first scrimmage, courtesy of Bryan Harvey, BCU’s Assistant Sports Information Director.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Football went 17 periods in blistering heat Friday afternoon as the Wildcats held their first scrimmage of Fall Camp at John L. Bryan Sr. Practice Field.
Second-year head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. watched his team participate in the first live scrimmage of #CatsCamp 2024 with the team working out in temperatures hovering in the low-90s, humidity at 64 percent, and winds out of the south southwest at seven miles per hour.
“Going into year two, it seems like the guys know what to expect,” expressed Woodie afterwards. “You can tell by them coming out executing the way they did today. I saw some good things from the group.”
Offensively, the Wildcats used a trio of quarterbacks getting reps with the first- and second team groups. Luke Sprague had several nice touches of the ball to receivers through the air. Meanwhile, running back Dennis Palmer, a freshman from Jensen Beach, Florida, had several good runs, including a 10-yarder on the right side for a score.
“I’m excited to get in and watch the film because I did see some things on defense that we need to clean up,” continued Woodie. “Defensively, there were some missed tackles. We have to wrap-up. Those are the things we talk about all the time. Technique. Fundamentals. Details.”
Also present for the scrimmage were officials from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). They were able to instruct the players and coaches about rule changes, as well as assisting with down and distance on drives.
“I always want to educate these players about the nuances of what they’re going to face,” stated Woodie. “It’s always good to have SWAC referees around to say what they’re looking for. It just helps the overall knowledge of the game.”
Additionally, on the defensive side of the ball, the defensive backs had several good breaks on the ball through the air. The linebackers were good in pass-rush, getting into the backfield a number of times for quarterback sacks.
“Raymond [Woodie III] is a guy that’s a leader on the defensive side of the ball,” added Woodie. “He speaks, and the defense listens. Also, a guy like Adrian Hall, as he is starting to demand respect with what they say and how they say it – and the team follows.
After the scrimmage, Woodie talked about the biggest improvements he has seen from the beginning of fall camp last week to the first scrimmage on Friday afternoon.
“It’s just doing the little things right,” remarked Woodie. “With these guys, it’s all about discipline. We don’t have any off-the-field distractions, and that’s a big step. If you do the little things right off the field, then the bigger things on the field will come natural to you.”
HailWildcats.com 