Week 6 MEAC Preview

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Alvin Hollins Jr.

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.

OCTOBER 4 – The first weekend of October will be the first MEAC Showcase Saturday, as the three league co-leaders will be in action vying to keep their toehold on the catbird’s seat.

This first full weekend of conference games also features contests between contenders looking to move closer to the top, and some teams trying to stay alive.

Saturday’s Games at a Glance

*North Carolina A&T (2-2, 0-1) at Bethune-Cookman (3-2, 2-0)
The Irresistable Force (B-CU Offense) against the Immovable Object (A&T Defense) might be one way to handicap this game, as the Wildcats will send their top-ranked offense and run attack against A&T’s league-leading defense. The Aggies aim to get back on track in its’ Operation MEAC Monkey Wrench after a narrow 21-18 home loss to Morgan State last week…. Ineligible for the 2012 title, the Aggies can still affect the title chase with a takedown the first place Wildcats for a second straight year, especially with five home games against conference contenders looming the next five weeks.

*Florida A&M (2-3, 2-0) at Howard (3-1, 2-0)
The game of the week between two of the three first place teams, this D.C. Showdown truly has playoff implications, as well as a potential paradigm shift for the league. FAMU represents the old guard whose grip on the MEAC is on the verge of being wrested away by a new breed of insurgents led by Howard…. The Bison own the #2 rushing attack and rank #4 in total defense, and come in averaging 30.8 points per game, while the road-weary Rattlers check into their fifth road game in six weeks #1 in passing offense and #2 in total offense, but ranking near the bottom in total defense at #9, while scoring at a 21.8 per game clip.

*Morgan State (2-2, 1-0) at Savannah State (0-4, 0-2) The Bears’ Escape From Greensboro last Thursday night kept them in the hunt for the league title, and they will be heavy favorites to remain in the upper division against the slumping Tigers. Savannah State comes into the game dead last in offense and defense, while Morgan ranks 10th in total defense, while ranking 8th in total offense. Look for a possible shootout to ensue between these two based on their defensive numbers to date.

*South Carolina State (2-3, 1-1) vs. North Carolina Central (2-2, 1-0)
Another old school-new school face off features perennial contender South Carolina State in a fight to remain in title contention against upstart North Carolina Central in the Circle City Classic…SCSU is coming off a shutout of defending champ Norfolk State in an early elimination game last week, while NCCU outslugged fellow MEAC sophomore Savannah State, 45-33 two weeks ago… The Eagles top the league in rushing defense, second in scoring, and third in passing and total defense, while the Bulldogs rank sixth in total defense, third in pass defense, and 10th in total offense.

*Delaware State (1-3, 0-1) at Norfolk State (2-3, 0-2)
This battle of squads in search of their first conference win features defending champ Norfolk State, whose title defense has already gone up in smoke, hosting an improved Delaware State squad which still has designs on remaining in title contention after a two-point near miss against Florida A&M two weeks ago, is shaping up as a bitter battle …. Both squads rank in the lower half of the league in scoring offense (NSU 8th; DSU 9th), while standing near the top in scoring defense (DSU 2nd; NSU 3rd)… Norfolk State is also second overall in total defense.

BYE:Hampton University (0-4, 0-2).

MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Thru Saturday, September 29, 2012

School …………………………….. Conference ……….. Overall
Howard University ………………… 2-0 1.000 ……… 3-1 .750
Bethune-Cookman ………………… 2-0 1.000 ……… 3-2 .600
Florida A&M ……………………… 2-0 1.000 ……… 2-3 .400
Morgan State ……………………… 1-0 1.000 ……… 2-2 .500
North Carolina Central ……………. 1-0 1.000 ……… 2-2 .500
South Carolina State ……………… 1-1 .500 ……… 2-3 .400
North Carolina A&T ……………… 0-1 .000 ……… 2-2 .500
Delaware State ……………………. 0-1 .000 ……… 1-3 .250
Norfolk State ……………………… 0-2 .000 ……… 2-3 .400
Hampton ………………………….. 0-2 .000 ……… 0-4 .000
Savannah State …………………… 0-2 .000 ……… 0-4 .000

Saturday’s Games (October 6)
*Florida A&M (2-3, 2-0)`at Howard (3-1, 2-0)
*Delaware State (1-3, 0-1) at Norfolk State (2-3, 0-2)
*Morgan State (2-2, 1-0) at Savannah State (0-4, 0-2)
*North Carolina A&T (2-2, 0-1) at Bethune-Cookman (3-2, 2-0)
*South Carolina State (2-3, 1-1) vs. North Carolina Central (2-2, 1-0)(Circle City Classic)
BYE: Hampton University (0-4, 0-2)
(*)-Conference Games

BCU tops Hampton 38-26

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Associated Press

HAMPTON, Va. — Bethune-Cookman forced seven turnovers — including a pair of interceptions by Nick Addison — to take a 38-26 decision from Hampton Saturday night in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action.

The Wildcats (3-2, 2-0) picked off four Hampton (0-4, 0-2) passes and recovered three more forced fumbles. Of the Pirates’ final 10 possessions, six ended in turnovers, and another finished with a turnover on downs.

At one point, Hampton tossed interceptions on three consecutive drives, with Bethune-Cookman using those picks to rack up 17 consecutive points and take a 31-10 lead. Among those scores was a 90-yard interception return by Addison, the fourth longest in school history and the team’s first interception return for a score since 2010. On top of his two picks, Addison led the Wildcats with 11 tackles.

Jeremi Schwartz gained a sizable chunk of Hampton’s total offense, amassing 205 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Quentin Williams got the start at quarterback for the Wildcats and took all of the snaps under center until midway through the 4th quarter.  Williams finished the contest with 1 rushing touchdown and 1 passing touchdown going 9-for-12 for 96 yards in the process. 

Safety Nick Addison led the defense with 11 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions, including one he returned 90 yards for a BCU touchdown.

The win snapped a two game losing skid for BCU.

Team Stat Comparison

 
 

COOK
 

HAMP
1st Downs 21 30
Total Yards 320 536
Passing 118 279
Rushing 202 257
Penalties 20-181 17-152
3rd Down Conversions 4-12 6-14
4th Down Conversions 0-1 1-2
Turnovers 0 7
Possession 28:52 30:28
 

Passing Leaders

 
Bethune-Cookman C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Williams 9/12 96 8.0 1 0
 
Hampton C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Champion 20/33 208 6.3 1 3
 

Rushing Leaders

 
Bethune-Cookman CAR YDS AVG TD LG
Scott 12 82 6.8 1 46
Jackson 16 79 4.9 0 15
 
Hampton CAR YDS AVG TD LG
Schwartz 25 201 8.0 1 51
McCloude 5 56 11.2 0 26
 

Receiving Leaders

 
Bethune-Cookman REC YDS AVG TD LG
Harris 1 28 28.0 0 28
Jackson 2 23 11.5 1 13
 
Hampton REC YDS AVG TD LG
Griffin 6 99 16.5 1 28
Riddick 5 66 13.2 0 28

Scoring Summary FIRST QUARTER COOK HAMP

 TD 10:46 Quentin Williams 5 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)  7 0

 FG 08:12 Taurean Durham 30 Yd  7 3

 TD 00:19 Rodney Scott 1 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)  14 3

SECOND QUARTER COOK HAMP

 TD 12:38 Andre Griffin 11 Yd Pass From Travis Champion (Taurean Durham Kick)  14 10

 FG 04:36 Sven Hurd 42 Yd  17 10

THIRD QUARTER COOK HAMP

 TD 11:40 Nick Addison 90 Yd Interception Return (Sven Hurd Kick)  24 10

 TD 07:22 Isidore Jackson 13 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick)  31 10

FOURTH QUARTER COOK HAMP

 TD 08:16 Javaris Brown 25 Yd Pass From Jaylian Williamson (Taurean Durham Kick)  31 17

 TD 05:37 David Blackwell 20 Yd Pass From Brodrick Waters (Sven Hurd Kick)  38 17

 SF 04:03 Ball Through End Zone  38 19

 TD 01:09 Jeremiah Schwartz 1 Yd Run (Taurean Durham Kick)  38 26

BCU vs Hampton Preview

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So the week I decided to delay my gameday preview, BCU Athletics and the Daytona Beach News Journal released their previews a day earlier than normal.  That’s fine by me.  No sense in rehashing the same information.  Check out the Hampton Athletics, Daytona Beach News-Journal, and BCUAthletics previews below.

From HamptonPirates.com:   HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team will return to Armstrong Stadium this Saturday, coming off a bye week to take on the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m.

Saturday will be Military Appreciation Night, as well as Greek Night and Take-a-Kid-to-the-Game Night.

The Pirates (0-3, 0-1 MEAC) fell 44-20 to Florida A&M in their conference opener on Sept. 15, while the Wildcats (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) fell 21-14 to Tennessee State this past Saturday.

The Pirates are 9-8 all-time against Bethune-Cookman, though the Wildcats have won the last four meetings – including a 35-31 win in Daytona Beach, Fla. last season. Hampton last defeated Bethune-Cookman in 2007, when the Pirates left Armstrong Stadium with a 31-24 win.

 The two teams first met in 1995, when the Pirates won 34-14. In fact, Hampton won the first three meetings before the Wildcats picked up their first win against Hampton, 14-13, in 1998.

The Pirates are 4-4 all-time against Bethune-Cookman at Armstrong Stadium. http://www.hamptonpirates.com/news/2012/9/25/FB_0925122212.aspx?path=football

From the Daytona Beach News-Journal:  Three Keys to Victory

1. Mix it up. This is a chance for B-CU’s offense to get on track. Although Hampton has faced three good offensive teams — including the top-ranked offense in the country in Old Dominion — the Pirates rank 102nd (among 121 FCS teams) in total defense, allowing 462.3 ypg, and 114th in scoring defense, allowing 43.3 ppg. The Wildcats are 13th in the nation is rushing at 239.8 ypg.

2. Pressure the QB. Champion is averaging 222.0 yards passing, but the Pirates have allowed five sacks. Richardson has been held sackless the past two weeks going up against big and strong offensive linemen, but he should be able to utilize his quickness this week.

3. Win the turnover battle. B-CU is fourth in the nation in takeaways with 12 and is tied for sixth in turnover margin at 1.75 per game (plus-seven overall).

PREDICTION: B-CU 35, Hampton 17 — Read more: Daytona Beach News-Journal:

From BCUAthletics: 8 points About The Hampton Game

HAMPTON, Va. — Eight points to consider as the Bethune-Cookman – Hampton game unfolds Saturday night:

1) BOUNCE BACK: Bethune-Cookman has never lost more than two consecutive games in the Brian Jenkins era. The last three-game Wildcat losing streaks were in 2009 when B-CU started the season 0-4 and in 2007 when that team dropped four straight after starting 2-1. Before that, one must travel back to 1997 for a three-game losing streak.

2) BOUNCE BACK, PART II: Six of the seven Jenkins era losses have occurred in sets; the two at the end of 2010, the Miami-North Carolina A&T combo of 2011 and this present set. In all, B-CU is 2-3 after a loss under Jenkins and 30-14 since 2000.

Continued here: http://www.bcuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205701009&DB_OEM_ID=23910

Final Week Four Rant

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BCU vs Tenn State — Photo Courtesy of BCU Athletics

My uncle T-Bird use to tell me that there is nothing more humbling to a man than getting his tail whipped.  I am not certain if the same prevailing wisdom holds true for football teams, but if does then Rod Reed’s Tennessee State Tigers delivered a face full of humble pie to Ms. Mary’s boys in Daytona Beach this past Saturday.

The Litmus Test

This matchup was BCU’s litmus test.  This was the game BCU could announce to the FCS world that they were ready to compete on a national level.  It was the first time in the Brian Jenkins era that the Wildcats faced a school from a FCS automatic qualifier (AQ) conference during the regular season.  The only other matchup against an out-of-conference AQ foe during that timeframe ended in a 45-20 beatdown at the hands of New Hampshire in the 2010 playoffs.  But that was Coach Jenkins’ first year at the helm.   MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Matt Johnson was injured that game and so were half of his teammates.  This is a new team!  A new year!  A new moment!  Right?  Unfortunately for BCU, it was Tennessee State who announced “their coming out party”.  The Fighting Wildcats were left licking their wounds and searching for answers.

Losing a game against a quality team like Tennessee State is no reason to panic but the manner in which the Wildcats loss was disconcerting.  TSU’s offensive and defensive lines physically beat-up Bethune’s units.  I hope this was more the result of one of those “on any given Saturday” moments as opposed to BCU simply not being able to match the physicality of a quality team from an FCS playoff bound conference.

No yeah buts, but…

Let me be very clear about this: Tennessee State was the better team on Saturday.  They had a better game plan, they executed better, and they flat out deserved to win.  No excuses.  Tennessee State beat Bethune-Cookman on the field of play.  There is your disclaimer but the point has to be made.  TSU’s performance against BCU this past Saturday was very reminiscent of North Carolina A&T’s defeat over the Wildcats a year ago.  The game plans were very similar (load the box on defense and force BCU to beat you throwing the ball–and on offense run the ball straight at the BCU defense); but more interestingly the game play was similar.  The Wildcats struggled with the physicality of both TSU and NCA&T.  Ironically, BCU faced TSU this year and NCA&T last year the week after playing the University of Miami.  Maybe TSU and NCA&T matchup well against BCU from a personnel and/or schematic standpoint.  Or maybe, and I do stress maybe, there is something to be said about playing a bigger, stronger, faster and deeper Miami team a week prior.  No matter how strong-willed and well-conditioned you are, playing against a top flight FBS school like Miami has to take a little extra out of you.  Again, it’s not an excuse…..I’m just saying.

Oh and for the record, BCU went on to win 6 straight after losing to the Aggies a year ago.  Hopefully the Wildcats can rest, recover, and start a similar streak beginning this Saturday against Hampton.

He told us so

Coach Brian Jenkins tried to warn anyone who would listen that his team’s slow starts would eventually do them in if not corrected.  The Wildcats started slowly again this past Saturday and the ole ball coach turned out to be dead-on.  The Blue Tigers jumped out to a three-touchdown 2nd quarter lead and never relented.   It looked like BCU might overcome their second 21-0 deficit of the year after scoring 2 touchdowns with less than 90 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter, but that was as close as BCU would get as both teams failed to score in the second half.

BCU will look to end their 2 game skid when facing off against Hampton in Virginia this Saturday at 6:00.

Wildcats fall to Tenn State 21-14

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Tennessee State running back Trabis Ward scored 2 first half rushing touchdowns and helped lead the Tigers to a 21-14 victory over Bethune-Cookman.  Ward (a product of Dillard High School in Ft Lauderdale) finished the afternoon with 154 yards rushing on 27 attempts. Daniel Fitzpatrick’s 2nd quarter 40 yard blocked field goal return stretched the TSU lead to 21-0 and proved to be the game winner.

Quentin Williams relieved an ineffective Brock Waters at quarterback with 2:09 left in the 2nd quarter and lead the Wildcats on their first scoring drive of the afternoon.  The drive covered 53 yards on 5 plays and ended with a spectacular 9 yard hookup between Williams and Preston Cleckley in the back of the endzone.  3 plays later, LeBrandon Richardson returned a Michael German lateral 44 yards to cut the TSU lead to 21-14 just before halftime.

But BCU’s hopes of overcoming their second 21-0 deficit of the season came up short this time. The Wildcats had several opportunities to draw even in the second half (including a drive that stalled after reaching the TSU 11 yard line) but failed to convert. “Hats off to Coach Rod Reed and Tennessee State” Coach Jenkins said.  “They beat us at every phase of the game and they kept us out of the endzone”.  “They just beat us and that’s the bottom line”.

BCU finished the contest with 196 yards rushing but only 91 yards passing.  The Wildcats fall to 2-2 on the season and will travel to Hampton, Virginia for a Saturday MEAC matchup with the HU Pirates.

Game Stats: http://www.bcuathletics.com/newLiveStats/Football/index.dbml?GAME_STAT_ID=692486&db_oem_id=23910

BCU vs. Tenn State Preview

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If you want to see Coach Brian Jenkins get upset, ask him about one of his six losses as a Bethune-Cookman’s head football coach.  If you want to see him get really angry, ask him about being passed over for last year’s FCS playoffs.  Chances are the fiery coach will bite down on his bottom-lip, pound his fists, and stare right through you as he passionately talks about what he perceived as a perverse injustice to his squad a year ago.  Coach Jenkins’ remedy in 2012….schedule the best out-of-conference opponents available to beef up the schedule; and “win them all so you won’t have to worry about being passed up”.

The Wildcats will have yet another opportunity to strengthen their 2012 playoff resume when Tennessee State travels to Municipal Stadium on Saturday for the home opener.  The matchup features the #1 and #2 ranked teams in HBCU football.  Saturday’s contest will be the first ever visit for Tennessee State to Daytona Beach for a football contest and the first meeting of the two squads in 25 years.  The teams last met in 1987 when BCU defeated TSU 16-13 in Nashville.

Tennessee State (3-0) enters the contest undefeated with victories over Florida A&M, Jackson State, and Austin Peay respectively.  The Blue Tigers are led on offense by quarterback Michael German.  Last week, German completed 75% of his passes (27 of 36) for 318 yards and two touchdowns.  German’s performance was good enough to earn him Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors. 

Joining German in the backfield are two quality running backs, Travis Ward (287 yards rushing on 71 attempts, 5 TDs) and Volusia County (New Smyrna Beach H.S.) product Telvin Hooks (199 yards rushing on 29 attempts).

The TSU offensive line is very experienced featuring 3 players who are All-Conference performers and 4 players who started all 11 games last year.  Tennessee State boast a host of good pass catchers on the outside including University of Florida transfer A.C. Leonard.  However, it is on the defensive side of the ball where the Tigers have been most successful this season.

Tennessee State leads the Ohio Valley Conference in Scoring Defense (13.3 points per game), Total Defense (339.7 yards per game), and Rushing Defense (93.3 yards per game).   

But before the TSU faithful begin printing up tee-shirts, they should know that the team on the other side of the field is no gracious host.  The Wildcats will be looking to get the sour taste of defeat off their lips and would like nothing more than another dominating performance against an FCS opponent.  BCU ranks 10th nationally in rushing offense (254.3 yards per game) and has scored an average of 32.5 points per game against FCS competition.  The Wildcats’ aggressive defense has them ranked 9th nationally in turnover margin. 

Saturday’s contest has all of the makings of a classic showdown.  It should be fun.

Hall of Fame Weekend

If Saturday’s colossal matchup wasn’t enough, BCU will be inducting new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame.  BCU will also formally dedicate the new, State-of-the-Art Larry R Handfield Athletic Training Center.  Saturday’s Legacy Walk at Municipal Stadium will be led by the 2012 Hall of Fame Class inductees.

Don’t forget about the bands

The Pride vs. The Aristocrats of Bands.  Let’s Go Wildcats vs. I’m So Glad.  The Marching Wildcat’s precision and sound vs. TSU’s song selection and intensity.  There really isn’t much more that needs to be said.  CAN’T WAIT!!!!

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 EST.  The game can be viewed live on the Wildcats’ CatEyeNetwork.

Grand Opening of the Larry Hanfield Training Center set for Friday, Sept. 21st

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Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center/Photo Courtesy of Daytona Beach News Journal – David Massey

DAYTONA BEACH — Bethune-Cookman University kicks off its home football schedule Saturday, but Friday the school kicks off a new era in athletics with the dedication of its $4.6 million training center.

Facts

Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center

LOCATION: International Speedway
Boulevard at Lincoln Avenue
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 16,378 square
feet indoors plus 6,338 square feet
outdoor space
CONSTRUCTION: Masonry with brick
and glass facade
SPECIAL FEATURES: Strength/
conditioning center; rehabilitation
equipment; hydrotherapy, X-ray
and treatment rooms; technology equipped
team meeting rooms;
student-athlete technology center;
Wildcats Hall of Fame lobby area
COST: $ 4.6 million
ARCHITECT: William Chapin
CONTRACTOR: M.L. Underwood

________________________________________________________________

The 16,378-square-foot Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center brings a big-college atmosphere to the small-college program, and B-CU officials say they expect it to help draw more upper-tier athletes and raise the school’s profile.

“This has already helped the program,” B-CU athletic director Lynn Thompson said of the new facility which the football team moved into three weeks ago. “We’ve had some kids from some I-A universities say to me, ‘We don’t have this where we are now.’ ‘’

Thursday, workers put the finishing touches on the corridor linking the new building with Phase II of the university’s athletic facilities upgrade.

The corridor, overlooking International Speedway Boulevard, will be known as the “Legacy Walk” and will showcase pictures and memorabilia celebrating milestones and great moments throughout the history of Wildcats athletics.

Continue Reading: http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20120920/SPORTS/120919676/1040?p=1&tc=pg

Gardner A Candidate For National Senior CLASS Award – B-CUAthletics.com – The Official Web Site of Bethune-Cookman Athletics

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Gardner A Candidate For National Senior CLASS Award - B-CUAthletics.com - The Official Web Site of Bethune-Cookman Athletics

She’s under 5’7″ but thriving in a sport filled with giants.  Major props to Krysta Gardner for getting it done on the court and in the classroom.  Check out the full story below.

Gardner A Candidate For National Senior CLASS Award – B-CUAthletics.com – The Official Web Site of Bethune-Cookman Athletics.