Bethune-Cookman Ranked 23rd in 1st Coaches Poll

August 4, 2014August 5, 2014 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Bethune-Cookman debuted at No. 23 in the first Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) coaches poll which was released on Monday afternoon. The Wildcats finished 10-3 and ranked 16th in the final FCS coaches poll in 2013.

Three time defending National Champions, North Dakota State, earned the top spot in the preseason poll. Eastern Washington, Southeastern Louisiana, New Hampshire and Montana round out the Top 5. Tennessee State (No. 17) joins B-CU as the only other HBCU program ranked in the Top 25.

The Wildcats kickoff the 2014 campaign on August 30th against in-state foe Florida International in Miami.

Preseason FCS Coaches Poll (August 4, 2014)

Team (First-Place Votes) 2013 Record Points 2013 Final

1. North Dakota State (18) 15-0 636 1

2. Eastern Washington (6) 12-3 615 3

3. Southeastern Louisiana (1) 11-3 542 6

4. New Hampshire 10-5 510 5

5. Montana 10-3 505 8

6. Coastal Carolina 12-3 447 7

7. Towson (1) 13-3 438 2

8. Jacksonville State 12-2 425 12

9. McNeese State 10-3 424 9

10. South Dakota State 9-5 332 14

11. Eastern Illinois 12-2 314 4

12. Fordham 12-2 305 10

13. Villanova 6-5 287 NR

14. Sam Houston State 9-5 277 13

15. Northern Iowa 7-5 263 NR

16. Chattanooga 8-4 238 25

17. Tennessee State 10-4 237 17

18. Furman 8-6 188 21

19. Montana State 7-5 170 20

20. Maine 10-3 169 11

21. Youngstown State 8-4 162 19

22. William & Mary 7-5 159 NR

23. Bethune-Cookman 10-3 136 16

24. Richmond 6-6 118 NR

25. Northern Arizona 9-3 116 15

Others receiving votes: Samford 95, Southern Illinois 59, Harvard 42, Charleston Southern 39, James Madison 30, Princeton 24, Southern Utah 20, Alcorn State 16, Liberty 16, Delaware 15, South Carolina State 15, Cal Poly 14, Missouri State 12, Sacred Heart 10, Wofford 8, Central Arkansas 7, Alabama State 6, Lehigh 6, Eastern Kentucky 4, Holy Cross 1, Illinois State 1, Jacksonville 1

Update: $40 ROUNDTRIP (w/ Tailgate Included) on HAILWILDCATS.COM FAN BUS to FIU August 30th, 2014

August 4, 2014August 28, 2014 / D Will / Leave a comment

Greetings BCU Fans!

You are cordially invited to hop onboard the HailWildcats.com ‘Road to the Championship’ Fan Bus as we support our guys in their quest to have another successful season. Our Fighting Wildcats will travel to Miami, Florida on Saturday August 30th, 2014 to take on Florida International University, kickoff at 7:oo p.m.

The low rate of $70.00 will guarantee you transportation to and from the game, a game ticket, and lunch, a tailgate meal provided by the Miami-Dade Alumni chapter, the Miami-Dade Alumni chapter has graciously agreed to host the HailWildcats.com fan bus travelers at what they are calling “one of the largest tailgates south of the boarder.” . If you already have a game ticket, you can secure your transportation to and from FIU Stadium and the tailgate meal for just $40.00.

We will depart Daytona Beach at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and arrive at FIU Stadium around 3:30 pm to participate in the Wildcat Tailgate Festivities. We will stop for dinner on the return trip.

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

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

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

PICKUP LOCATION:

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –Bethune Cookman University -11:00 AM Between the Facilities building and the Band Hall

ORLANDO, FL – Home Depot Lee Rd. – 10:00 AM 5351 Diplomat Cir, Orlando, FL 32810

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

Hail Wildcats!
___________________________________________________________________

1-Bus Seat to BCU vs FIU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl (Transportation Only Option)

$40.00

1-Bus Seat & Game Ticket to BCU vs FIU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl

$70.00

2-Bus Seats to BCU vs FIU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl (Transportation Only Option)

$80.00

2-Bus Seats & Game Tickets to BCU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl

$140.00

3-Bus Seats to BCU vs FIU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl (Transportation Only Option)

$120.00

3-Bus Seats & Game Tickets to BCU vs FIU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl

$210.00

4-Bus Seats to BCU vs FIU at FIU Stadium- Miami, Fl (Transportation Only Option)

$160.00

B-CU predicted to finish atop the MEAC

July 29, 2014 / J Bell / 1 Comment

Norfolk, VA—The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) unofficially kicked off its 2014 football season at this past Friday’s Annual Press Luncheon. To the surprise of few, the league’s coaches and sports information directors predicted Bethune-Cookman would defend their crown and finish the season atop the league standings.

Under the guidance of fifth year head coach Brian Jenkins, the Wildcats have established themselves as a perennial MEAC power and FCS Top 25 program. BCU enters the season looking for its third consecutive MEAC crown and seventh (7^th) MEAC title overall.

2013 Co-Champions, South Carolina State, were predicted to finish 2^nd in the league. North Carolina A&T, Howard, and Delaware State round out the Top 5.

Four Bethune-Cookman student-athletes received First Team All-MEAC recognition, two more were named to the All-MEAC Second Team, and one Wildcat picked up Third Team honors. Howard quarterback Greg McGee was selected as Offensive Player of the Year while Norfolk State linebacker/defensive end Lynden Trail picked up Defensive Player of the Year honors.

BCU will kickoff the 2014 campaign in South Florida on August 30^th against in-state foe Florida International. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

2014 Predicted Order of Finish

(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)

School Points

1. Bethune-Cookman 487

2. South Carolina State 457

3. North Carolina A&T 338

4. Howard 309

5. Delaware State 229

6. Norfolk State 225

7. Hampton 200

8. North Carolina Central 187

9. Morgan State 148

** Florida A&M and Savannah State are not eligible for post season competition therefore is not listed on the above prediction order

2014 Football All-Conference Preseason Teams

Offensive Player of the Year: Greg McGhee, Howard Defensive Player of the Year: Lynden Trail, Norfolk State

	Name		School	Hometown
QB	Greg McGhee		Howard	Pittsburgh, Pa.
RB	Tarik Cohen		N.C. A&T	Bunn, N.C.
RB	Anthony Philyaw		Howard	Los Angeles, Ca.
WR	Milton Williams III		Delaware State	Washington, D.C.
WR	Desmond Lawrence		N.C. A&T	Durham, N.C.
TE	Kris Drummond		Savannah State	Washington D.C.
C	Andrew Edouard		Bethune-Cookman	Philadelphia, Pa.
OL	Domanic Wilson	r-Sr.	S.C. State	Lake City, S.C.
OL	Willie Robinson	r-Sr.	N.C A&T	Clinton. Md.
OL	Darren Pinnock		Morgan State	Miami, Fla
OL	Devin Flowers	r-Sr.	S.C. State	Charlotte, N.C.
OL	Toree Boyd		Howard	Miami, Fla.
DEFENSE
	Name		School	Hometown
DL	LeBrandon Richardson		Bethune-Cookman	Miami, Fla.
DL	Miles Grooms		Hampton	Richmond, Va
DL	Alex Glover		S.C. State	Charlotte, N.C.
DL	Andrew Carter		S.C. State	Hamlet, N.C.
LB	Lynden Trail	r-Sr.	Norfolk State	Miami, Fla.
LB	D’Vonte Grant		North Carolina A&T	Charlotte, N.C.
LB	Tavarus Dantzler		Bethune-Cookman	Homestead, Fla.
DB	Darrin Marrow	r-Sr.	Norfolk State	Virginia Beach, Va.
DB	Cameron Alston	r-Sr.	Howard	North Augusta, S.C.
DB	Mike Jones		N.C. Central	Baltimore,Md.
DB	Marquis Drayton		Bethune-Cookman	Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
P	Lawrence Forbes	r-So.	Morgan State	Upper Marlboro, Md.
PK	Anthony Prevost	r-So.	Hampton	Chesterfield, Va.
RS	Adrian Wilkins	r-Jr.	N.C. Central	Forest City, N.C.

Second Team
OFFENSE
	Name		School	Hometown
QB	Quentin Williams	r-Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Tampa, Fla.
RB	Lamont Brown III	r-So.	Morgan State	Suffolk, Va.
RB	Justin Taylor	r- Jr.	S.C. State	Atlanta, Ga.
WR	Joseph Cervalo	r-Sr.	Delaware State	Venice
WR	Thomas Martin	r-So.	Morgan State	Naples, Fla.
TE*	James Lynch	r-Jr.	Norfolk State	Darby, Pa.
TE*	Temarrick Hemingway	r-Jr.	S.C. State	Loris, SC
C	Ronald Canty	r-Sr.	N.C. A&T	Chester, S.C.
OL	John Smith	r-Jr.	Howard	Atlanta. Ga.
OL	Jerron Searles		Delaware State	Atlantic City, N.J.
OL	Keonte Cash		Florida A&M	Miami, Fla.
OL	Justin Myler	r-Sr.	Norfolk State	Woodbridge, Va.
OL	Chris Pressley		N.C. Central	Upper Marlboro, Md.
DEFENSE
	Name		School	Hometown
DL	Rodney Gunter		Delaware State	Lake Hamilton, Fla.
DL	Damon Gresham-Chisolm		Howard	Covington, GA
DL	Ronnie Barrow		Bethune-Cookman
DL DL	Demarco Bisbee Javon Hargrave	r-Jr.	Morgan State S.C. State	Lansing, Mich. Salisbury, NC
LB	Joshua Thorne		Hampton	Oxon Hill, Md.
LB	Cody Acker		Morgan State	Landover, Md.
LB	Marquis Smith		Savannah State	Prince Georges County, Md.
DB	Khambrel McGee		Hampton	Miami, Fla.
DB	Devonte Johnson		Florida A&M	Tallahassee, Fla.
DB	Tony McRae		N.C. A&T	Laurinburg, N.C.
DB*	Patrick Aiken	r-So.	Florida A&M	Pembroke Pines, Fla.
DB*	Keenan Lambert	r-Sr.	Norfolk State	Norfolk, Va.
P	Christian Faber-Kinney	r-So.	Hampton	Williamsburg, Va.
PK	Chase Varnadore		Florida A&M	Tallahassee, Fla.
RS	Tony McRae		N.C. A&T	Laurinburg, N.C.
Third Team
OFFENSE
	Name		School	Hometown
QB	Damien Fleming		Florida A&M	Jacksonville, Fla.
RB	Jorrian Washington	r-Sr.	Hampton	Los Angeles, Ca.
RB	Dae-Hon Cheung		Delaware State	Coatesville, Pa.
WR	DennisRowe	r-Sr.	S.C. State	Columbia, S.C.
WR	Jhomo Gordon		Bethune-Cookman	Palm Bay, Fla.
TE TE*	Nathan Scruggs Nate Ingram	r-Jr. Graduate	N.C. Central Howard	Jacksonville, Fla. Sicklerville, N.J.
C	Erick Dickerson	r-So.	S.C. State	Goose Creek, SC
OL	Mike Phillips		Norfolk State	Virginia Beach, Va.
OL	Clevonne Davis		N.C. Central	Miramar, FL
OL	Afolabi Ayangbayi		Savannah State	Union, NJ
OL	Ryan Templeton		Florida A&M	Chicago, Ill
DEFENSE
	Name		School	Hometown
DL	Michael Neal		N.C. A&T	Greensboro, N.C.
DL	Daniel Pinnix		N.C. A&T	High Point, N.C.
DL	Deon King		Norfolk State	Reston, Va
DL	George Riddick		Norfolk State	Suffolk, Va.
LB	Justin Hughes		S.C. State	Virginia Beach, Va.
LB	Marcell Coke		Norfolk State	Orlando, Fla.
LB	Justin Dixon		Savannah State	Duluth, Ga.
DB	Ronald Robinson		Delaware State	Jersey City, N.J.
DB	Julien David		Howard	Coral Springs, FL
DB	Ryan Smith	r-So.	N.C. Central	Upper Marlboro, Md.
DB DB P	Greg Brown DeShaun Summers Domnic Frescura		Savannah State Morgan State N.C. A&T	Tucker, Ga. Hampton, Va. South Pasadena, CA
PK	Cody Jones		N.C. A&T	Gastonia, N.C.

Jenkins Declines Jackson State Interview — Statement from Brian Jenkins

January 9, 2014 / J Bell / 4 Comments

Bethune-Cookman University head football coach Brian Jenkins has declined to interview for the vacant head coaching position at Jackson State University. Jenkins, officially considered a candidate for the open head coaching position at JSU, made the announcement on Thursday afternoon. Through an official from the B-CU Department of Athletics, Jenkins released a quote on his decision to decline the next step in possible talks with Jackson State.

“I am honored to have a school with a rich history of football like Jackson State University consider me for their head coaching vacancy,” said Jenkins. “It not only speaks volumes about how highly they think of me and my coaching philosophy, but also that of my coaching staff. After all, none of the success we’ve enjoyed over the last four years would be possible without a dedicated staff and great student-athletes. A year ago this time, Dr. Edison O. Jackson and Lynn Thompson showed their tremendous support not only of me, but towards my staff and family, when they extended my contract at Bethune-Cookman University. I said then that I had a goal to achieve. And since I’ve yet to achieve that goal, I stay firmly committed to believing B-CU is the place where that goal can be achieved in the future.

“Again, I want to thank Vivian Fuller and Jackson State for noticing what my staff and I have done here at B-CU, and believing it would take the JSU football program to even greater heights. I thank them for their consideration, but I thank B-CU even more for its love and support. We have a good nucleus of student-athletes coming back in 2014. Mixed with the strong recruiting class we’re expecting to sign next month, I believe we are poised to do something special for Wildcats Nation next season. And it’s something everyone should want to be a part of.”

‘Tail of the Tape’ – BCU at CCU – 2013 FCS 1st round

November 29, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Credits BCU Athletics Instagram

Coastal Carolina

2013 Record: 10-2, 4-1
Coach: Joe Moglia

Big Wins: 9/7 Furman (35-28), 9/14 at Eastern Kentucky (51-32)
Bad Losses: 11/9 at Charleston Southern (26-31), 11/23 at South Carolina (10-70)

Strengths:
Coastal Carolina is paced on offense by stud running back Lorenzo Taliaferro. The Walter Payton Award Finalist has gained just under 1,500 rushing this season while accounting for 23 touchdowns on the ground. As a unit, the Coastal ground attack averages 283 yards per contest and ranks 3rd nationally in that department.

Quarterback Alex Ross may not be as elusive as last year’s signal caller Aramis Hillary but he seems to be more accurate delivering the ball. Add in the formidable pass catching trio of Matt Hazel, Niccolo Mastromatteo, and DeMario Bennett and it is easy to see why the Chants are 3rd in the nation in scoring offense averaging just over 42 points per game.
Weaknesses:
Coastal’s defense has been less than stellar (at least statistically) for the duration of the season. CCU’s defense is allowing 435 yards per game to opponents including 210 yards on the ground. What’s difficult to determine is whether or not Coastal’s defensive statistics are an accurate reflection of the unit’s overall talent level or merely a consequence of their opponents having more opportunities considering the frequency at which the Chant offense scores.

Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, 1,487 yards
Passing: Alex Ross, QB, 2,450 yards
Receiving: Matt Hazel, WR, 817 yards
Tackles: Quinn Backus, LB, 111
Sacks: Colton Blackburn, LB, 3.0; Roderick Holder, DE, 3.0
Interceptions: Quinn Backus, LB, 3; Johnnie Houston, DB, 3

2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 283.9 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 228.6 (47, 3)
Total Offense: 512.5 (8, 1)
Scoring Offense: 45.5 (3, 1)
Rushing Defense: 198.2 (88, 4)
Pass Defense: 219.8 (61, 5)
Total Defense: 418.0 (83, 4)
Scoring Defense: 25.5 (57, 4)
Turnover Margin: 0.7 (17, 3)
Sacks: 1.55 (94, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.36 (30, 4)

Bethune-Cookman

2013 Record: 10-2, 7-1
Coach: Brian Jenkins

Big Wins: 9/1 at Tennessee State (12-9), 9/14 Florida International (34-13), 10/26 South Carolina State (14-3)
Bad Losses: 9/21 at Florida State (6-54), 11/9 Norfolk State (24-27)

Strengths:
The Wildcats get things done through the efforts of a dominating defense and a physical running game. Only Florida State scored more than 27 points on the Wildcat defense this season. BCU has held their opponents to 10 points or fewer in seven of their 12 games. Defensive ends LeBrandon Richardson and Dyron Dye are strong against the run and pass. Linebacker Jarkevis Fields is a tackling machine and defensive backs Nick Addison and Tim Burke are ball-hawks.

The Wildcats rank in the top ten nationally in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing offense. Isidore Jackson is the team’s top rusher. Cary White and Anthony Jordan are more physical, downhill runners who both see a ton of action and quarterbacks Quentin Williams and Jackie Wilson are also capable of making plays with their feet.

Weaknesses:
BCU is the most heavily penalized team in the country averaging 10.50 penalties per contest. Possessions and hidden yards are precious in postseason play meaning the Wildcats will need to find a way to limit un-timely penalties while still maintaining their aggressive style of play if they are to move on in the tournament.

Bethune’s passing game has all of the pieces needed to be successful but the air attack has sputtered at times this season. BCU quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (9) this year and the Wildcats have finished four games with less than 100 yards gained through the air. Ironically, BCU is 4-0 in games in which they pass for under 100 yards.

Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Isidore Jackson, RB, 793 yards
Passing: Quentin Williams, QB, 1,068 yards
Receiving: Eddie Poole, WR, 562 yards
Tackles: Jarkevis Fields, LB, 94
Sacks: Dyron Dye, DL, 6.0
Interceptions: Nick Addison, DB, 5

2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 255.4 (8th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 144.4 (113, 9)
Total Offense: 399.7 (52, 1)
Scoring Offense: 30.2 (39, 2)
Rushing Defense: 99.4 (8, 3)
Pass Defense: 151.5 (3, 2)
Total Defense: 250.8 (2, 2)
Scoring Defense: 15.7 (4, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.4 (34, 2)
Sacks: 2.36 (35, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 2.55 (84, 7)

BCU secure MEAC title and Playoff berth with 29-10 FL Classic win

November 24, 2013 / J Bell / 3 Comments

Dyron Dye

Quentin Williams and Isidore Jakson rushed for two touchdowns each in Saturday’s Florida Classic but it was the Wildcat defense that paved the way for a comfortable 29-10 win for Bethune-Cookman over arch-rival Florida A&M.

The announced crowd of 45,321 watched BCU’s defense stymie the Rattlers and hold them to just 89 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers on the afternoon.

Dyron Dye led the defensive charge and emerged from the contest with 7 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. 7 other Wildcat defenders finished the day with 4 or more tackles.

FAMU struck first in the contest on a 41 yard Chase Varnadore field goal with 9:58 remaining in the 1^st.

BCU responded quickly going 79 yards on 7 plays on the ensuing drive. Williams hit Jontavious Carter on a 43 yard catch and run to set the Wildcats up in good field position. 6 plays later Williams walked into the endzone to provide BCU with a 7-3 lead.

After a FAMU 3 and out, BCU travelled 66 yards on 10 plays and eventually found the endzone on Williams’ second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from 17 yards out.

Ike Jackson

The Wildcats capped the 1^st half scoring on a 3 yard Isidore Jackson touchdown run. Senior quarterback Brodrick Waters hit Brandon Bryant in the back of the endzone on the 2 point conversion attempt to push the halftime lead to 21-3.

Florida A&M’s only points of the second half came on a 45 yard fumble return by Jonathan Pillow midway through the 3^rd quarter.

Isidore Jackson’s second 3 yard touchdown run of the afternoon followed by Waters 2 point conversion run wrapped up the scoring at 29-10.

With the win, BCU locked up their 3^rd conference crown and playoff appearance in the past 4 years. The win also pushed BCU’s active win streak over FAMU to 3 games. Only one time prior, 2002, 2003, and 2004, had BCU won 3 straight games over Florida A&M.

The pairings for the 2013 FCS Playoffs will be announced Sunday morning at 11:30 A.M. on ESPNU.

2013 Florida Classic Photo Gallery

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 / J Bell / 1 Comment

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

November 22, 2013 / J Bell / 2 Comments

The 34^th installment of the Florida Blue Florida Classic between in-state rivals Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M is upon us. The contest has grown into one of the premier HBCU showcases attracting over one and half million fans since its inception in 1978. The two teams have combined for twelve (12) conference titles during that same timeframe and have created many memorable moments in this annual showdown.

Players and coaches from both teams will look to create their own signature Florida Classic moment when the two teams square off Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl.

Here is a look back at some of the more memorable games played in Florida Classic history.

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

1978 – Florida A&M trailed BCU 17-0 at halftime in the first ever Florida Classic played in Tampa Stadium. The Rattlers scored 27 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 27-17 victory. Rudy Hubbard’s squad went on to win the first 1-AA (now FCS) National Championship later that season. A year later (1979) BCU won their first Florida Classic 25-20.

1994 – BCU QB Tony Kerrin connected with Morris Nobles on a 2 yard TD reception in the corner of the endzone to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead with :47 remaining in the contest. BCU went on to win by the same margin and Coach Cy McClairen earned his first victory over the Rattlers as a head coach.

2003 – Daytona Beach native and current Chicago Bear, Eric Weems, scored 3 touchdowns and helped the Wildcats rally from a 28-10 halftime deficit. The final touchdown was set up by a fake punt attempt on 4^th and 17 with less than 2:00 remaining in the contest. A FAMU player was flagged for pass interference on the fake punt and BCU was awarded an automatic first down.

Later in the drive quarterback Allen Suber avoided a sack, rolled to his right, and hit Weems who beat triple coverage just beyond the pylon with 9 seconds remaining in the game. BCU prevailed 39-35 in front of the largest crowd (73,358) in Florida Classic history.

2004 – Florida Classic fans were treated to the first overtime in the history of the series. The Wildcats eventually prevailed 58-52.

FAMU’s Ben Dougherty (QB) and Roosevelt Kiser (WR) had career days in that contest. Midway through the third quarter, Dougherty connected with Kiser on a 66 yard TD reception and extended FAMU’s lead to 45-24.

Head coach Alvin Wyatt then made the decision to move eventual three-time All-Pro defensive back Nick Collins from safety to cornerback with the assignment of blanketing Kiser. The move proved to be very effective for the maroon and gold. The FAMU passing game was severely limited as a result of the coaching decision and the Wildcats outscored FAMU 34-7 from that point forward. Rodney Johnson’s 15 yard touchdown run in overtime sealed the victory for BCU.

Coach Wyatt, who was overcome with emotion after the win, fainted and had to be carted off the field by medical personnel. Wyatt was eventually treated for dehydration but was no worse for the wear.

Not only was the 2004 victory the first overtime fame in Florida Classic history, it was also the first time that BCU won three consecutive victories over the FAMU.

2005 – Like the year prior, this game was also decided in overtime; only this time FAMU would emerge as the victor. The Rattlers entered the contest as underdogs and quickly fell behind to the Wildcats 17-0. But A&M slowly climbed back into the contest and forced the game into overtime on the strength of a Wesley Taylor 43-yard field goal with less than 3 minutes remaining in the 4^th quarter. Taylor’s 26-yarder in overtime vaulted the Rattlers to a 26-23 win.

2010 – BCU entered the 2010 FC (Brian Jenkins’ first year) with an unblemished 10-0 record. However, a 3^rd quarter injury to eventual MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Matt Johnson, derailed BCU’s high-octane “Speedway Offense.” FAMU capitalized on the opportunity and secured a 38-27 win in one of the biggest upsets in FC history. Phillip Sylvester scored 3 times for the Rattlers and rushed for 146 yards on 26 carries in the process.

Repost of “THE BELT”

November 21, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

At the conclusion of the 2012 Florida Blue Florida Classic, coach Brian Jenkins was seen hugging players, celebrating with the Marching Wildcats, and very conspicuously wearing a 2012 MEAC Champions Belt that was large enough and elaborate enough to make Hulk Hogan envy.

Some fifteen (15) or so minutes after first being spotted with his new ornate accessory, coach Jenkins met with members of the media for his normal postgame recap. There it was again; this time prominently displayed on the conference room table almost touching the fiery coach’s left elbow. There was no attempt at modesty. No attempt to conceal it. It was as if coach Jenkins was silently screaming for someone to ask about THE BELT…and so I did.

The third year coach rather foxily revealed that THE BELT was an inside thing between him and his team. “I have been telling (our football team) about the belt. You want to be the one to put on the belt in the end” Jenkins exclaimed.

At this past Saturday’s 2012 Championship Team Banquet inside the North Tower Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel located directly on Daytona Beach, coach Jenkins revealed to the 350 Wildcat supporters in attendance the inside story behind THE BELT.

The story goes as follows:

Shortly after being named as the fifteenth (15) head football coach at Bethune-Cookman, Brian Jenkins had a chance encounter with a Florida A&M football fan. The FAMU fan approached the newly appointed coach and said let me show you something. He reached into his back pocket and unfolded a piece of paper. Listed on the paper were the results of all of the Florida Classics including the previous two (2); both of which FAMU won.

The FAMU fan was undoubtedly sending a clear message to the precocious new coach of what he should expect when facing the mighty Rattlers.

As fate would have it, coach Jenkins bumped into the same Rattler fan nearly a year later. The FAMU fan, feeling emboldened by his Rattlers’ upset victor over the Wildcats in the 2010 Florida Classic, even more vigorously than the year before flagged down coach Jenkins and again pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. It was an up-to-date history of the Florida Classic results. The FAMU fan proudly and boastfully pointed to his team’s upset win in 2010. It was shortly after that encounter that the idea of THE BELT was conceived in Brian Jenkins’ mind. Jenkins decided if his team could win the MEAC crown and win the Florida Classic, he would supply every graduating senior with his very own Championship Belt.

Senior Class awarded Championship Belts

What better way to memorialize the hardwork, sacrifice, and dedication that’s required to become MEAC and Florida Classic champs than to provide the senior class with Championship Belts. And besides, a Heavyweight caliber Championship Belt trumps a folded piece of paper any day.

Coach Jenkins’ statement to the media after the 2012 Florida Blue Florida Classic now makes so much more sense: “…in the end, you want to be the one to put on the belt.”

THE BELT is brilliant in everything that it represents. It is the proverbial gauntlet slap in the face, a one-upper, a ‘step ya game up’ if you will. It is a unique memento, it epitomizes excellence, symbolizes hardwork and sacrifice, and it is meant to draw a line in the sand. If you want THE BELT, come and take it. If you want to keep THE BELT, then be prepared to defend it. So keep your folded piece of paper and I will raise you a Championship Belt.

Interestingly, coach Jenkins stated that the last time he spotted the FAMU fan who flagged him down and showed off his folded piece of paper was shortly after the 2010 season. Coincidence? Maybe but not likely!

A source within the BCU Athletic department could not confirm whether THE BELT is a one year phenomenon or a new tradition for each senior class who wins both a MEAC and Florida Classic championship in the same season. Personally, I hope this becomes a new tradition. A new goal of sorts for each class of seniors. I think coach Jenkins said it best: “in the end, you want to be the one to put on the belt”.

Congratulations to all the guys who earned the right to wear THE BELT!!!

#18 Wildcats bounce back with 42-12 drubbing of Hampton

November 16, 2013November 17, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Dion Hanks

A week after losing its first MEAC contest in over two seasons, 18^th ranked Bethune-Cookman bounced back in impressive fashion thrashing the Hampton Pirates 42-12 on Senior Day in Daytona Beach.

The Wildcats racked up 557 yards of total offense including 475 rushing yards in the contest.

BCU opened the game’s scoring on an 11 play, 87 yard touchdown drive on its second possession of the contest. The Wildcats ran the ball 10 straight times on the drive with the only pass attempt resulting in a 6 yard touchdown reception from Jackie Wilson to Cary White.

The Wildcats doubled their lead on their next possession but needed just 4 plays this time to hit pay dirt. Isidore Jackson, who finished the contest with 102 yards rushing on 9 attempts, scampered down the right sideline for 53 yards to set the Cats up with 1^st and goal at the 6. Two plays later, Wilson twisted his way into the endzone on a quarterback keeper.

“We came out focused and ready to play” coach Brian Jenkins stated after the contest. “We are a good football team. A lot of people doubted us after last week and that’s okay.” “We had a talk as a team. There was no panic; it was just (about) cleaning up our act and we did that. The approach we took is we’re not going to let it go to the score cards.”

Anthony Prevost successfully converted a 34 yard field goal to give Hampton their only points of the first half. But the Wildcats would respond immediately needing to travel just 15 yards for their third touchdown of the half. Darian Baker took the ensuing kickoff 82 yards to the Hampton 15 yard line. 3 plays later, Quentin Williams finished the drive on a 1 yard option keeper.

Brodrick Waters scored on a 2 point conversion attempt and put BCU ahead 22-3 at the half.

Hampton had several chances to get back into the contest early in the 3rd but the Wildcat’s tenacious defense kept the Pirates at bay. After HU trimmed the lead to 22-6, the BCU offense fumbled on its first two possessions of the 3^rd quarter but the defense held firm and prevented the Pirates from capitalizing on either of the turnovers holding them to a missed FG attempt and stopping them on a 4^th and 1 respectively.

Freshman running back Michael Jones pushed the BCU lead to 28-6 midway through the 3^rdquarter on a nifty 30 yard run. Jones made a couple of HU defenders miss and outran a few others on his way to the endzone. “I stretched the play to the right, the defense was over-pursuing, I found a cutback lane and hit it” Jones remarked in the postgame presser.

Quentin Williams and Drexler Dixon added rushing touchdowns in the 4^th quarter for the Wildcats while the Pirates’ Marcus Hampton recorded HU’s only touchdown of the game in the final frame.

“It was good to end my last regular season home game with a (convincing) win ” senior defensive end Tevin Toney stated. He went on to state, “it goes to show you that the hard work that we put in pays off in games.”

Toney and his defensive mates forced 2 Hampton interceptions and limited the Pirate offense to just 216 yards.

BCU takes on archrival Florida A&M next week in the Florida Blue Florida Classic in Orlando. A Florida Classic win would grant the Wildcats at least a share of the MEAC crown for the third time in four years. A win would also secure BCU’s 3rd trip to the playoffs in 4 years as the Cats would be awarded the conference’s automatic bid.