Bethune-Cookman University

BCU to hold Annual Spring Game on April 13th

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

SBethune-Cookman football will hold its first spring practice of the year on Saturday, March 23 to begin a 13-session schedule that culminates with the Spring Showcase to be held Saturday, April 13. The location for the Spring Showcase will be announced at a later date.

The Wildcats will pull on the pads under head coach Brian Jenkins for the fourth time and again hold practices on campus at the Wildcat Practice Field.

B-CU is scheduled to work out four times a week beginning March 23, with practices taking place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. All practices are closed to the public.

During spring practice, only head coach Brian Jenkins and assistant coaches will be made available to the media. Student-athletes will speak with the media after the Spring Showcase.

Read on: http://www.bcuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23910&ATCLID=206647160

(Baseball) Wildcats sweep FAMU

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

 

Let's Go Wildcats

Scott Gardner

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (6-6, 3-0 MEAC) completed their first series sweep of the 2013 season, taking down in-state rivals Florida A&M Rattlers  (0-11, 0-3 MEAC) in a three game set at Jackie Robinson ballpark.

The Wildcats used a pair of bottom of the 8th inning comebacks in games one (8-6 final) and  three (3-2 final); and a complete game shutout by junior right-hander Scott Gardner in game two (7-0) to secure the weekend sweep. 

Gardner pitched all 7 innings in the second game of Saturday’s double-header and registered 3 strikeouts, 1 base on balls, 4 hits, and no runs.  Other standouts this weekend included closer Jordan Dailey who saw action in games one and three recording a win and save respectively; and third baseman Matt Noble who had a hit in each of the 3 contests batting .455 (5 for 11) with 5 RBIs in the process.

BCU’s record now stands at 6-6 on the year with wins over perennial power Arizona State and last year NCAA Regionals participant UCF.

The Cats conclude their seven (7) game homestand with a couple of midweek matchups against Central Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m.

BCU to play Florida State in 2013

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

DSC_0006It was announced on Monday that the Bethune-Cookman football team will faceoff against perennial ACC power Florida State on September 21st in historic Doak Campbell Stadium.

This will be the first ever football matchup between the two universities.

The Wildcats were originally slated to play Central Florida on September 28th; however, UCF opted to withdraw from the game and faceoff against Penn State instead. 

BCU athletic director Lynn Thompson stated he received several invites to fulfill the vacant date.  Included among those was an invitation to play in the 2013 Circle City Classic, but a suitable Division I opponent could not be found.

The 2013 campaign kicks off Labor Day Weekend in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville against Tennessee State.  The Cats return for their home opener on September 7th vs Virginia Union just before facing off against FBS opponents Florida International (Miami, 09/14)  and Florida State (Tallahassee, 09/21).

After a bye-week, the Wildcats will begin MEAC play in Dover against Delaware State (10/5) followed by a showdown with Howard in DC on October 12th. 

4 of their next 5 contests will be held in the friendly confines of Municipal Stadium (Savannah State – 10/19, South Carolina State – 10/26 {homecoming}, Norfolk 11/9, and Hampton 11/16).

Sandwiched in between homecoming and the game with Norfolk is a November 2nd matchup with North Carolina Central in Durham.

As always, the regular season will wrap-up in Orlando in the Florida Classic.

Tampa Jefferson retires Quentin Williams’ number 3 jersey

/ J Bell / 1 Comment
BCU QB Quentin Williams

BCU QB Quentin Williams

Nobody had a season like quarterback Quentin Williams did in 2010.

Nobody broke records like Williams did when he helped lead the Jefferson Dragons to the school’s first state championship.

And now nobody will wear Williams number again.

The team retired Williams’ No. 3 jersey during a ceremony at the Dragons end of the season banquet this past Saturday.

During his senior season, Williams set new state records for season passing touchdowns (56), passing yardage (4,451), as well as career touchdown passes (109). He also broke Tim Tebow’s career passing yardage record. Williams ended up with 10,384.

The Dragons defeated Miami Norland 44-34 for the Class 3A title. The victory capped off a spectacular season for Williams, who went onto Bethune Cookman.

Last season for the Wildcats, Williams played in 10 games and threw for 1,173 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 635 yards and three touchdowns.

Full Story: BayNews9 Sports

NFL Draft Zone Spotlight with BCU’s Dawud Lane

/ J Bell / 1 Comment
Dawud Lane shows his support for Aunt Gail (Breast Cancer survivor)

Dawud Lane shows his support for Aunt Gail (Breast Cancer survivor)

Draft Zone Spotlight: Dawud Lane, LB, Bethune-Cookman University

When you watch the Bethune-Cookman games, big Dawud Lane stuck out and was a fierce competitor.  He was a very highly recruited defensive lineman/linebacker which attended Rutgers University in New Jersey.  He has been given a couple nicknames one is “Wood” which is short for Dawud because he lays wood when he plays.  Another one is “Mr. Energy” because he is always fired up.  I talked to one person at Bethune Cookman who said that Dawud would run a 4.5 all day every day at 6’2, 225 pounds.  That is very impressive.  Enough of me talking, check out the linebacker from B-CU.

How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision?

Out of high school I was not that highly recruited maybe 9 or 10 D1-A offers. I made my decision to attend Rutgers originally where I earned my undergrad degree. The reason I went there because as a young man I wanted to stay home in New Jersey and I truly loved the coaching staff at Rutgers. Upon graduating there I still had eligibility so I decided to come down to Bethune Cookman to receive my masters while helping build this program.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for?

That’s an easy one thee Dallas Cowboys, second greatest franchise ever next to the one that picks me up. Real Stars wear Stars and the stadium opens up to allow God the best view. The players I rooted for growing up was Deion Sanders & Lawrence Taylor I loved their showmanship, and ability to take over a game. The passion that LT plays with while rushing the passer and Deion ability to take risk in coverage because of his speed are characteristics I adopted into my game.

At your position, how do you break down film, please inform our readers what you look for when breaking down film?

Breaking down film is at this level of college and the pros are an essential aspect to being productive. At Rutgers the coaches would do detailed breakdowns of tendencies and third down plays in which at BCU we did not have the man power to do so. Thus I took it upon myself to study route combinations that coincide with down and distance to gain an advantage defensively. After taking a couple days studying that you move into o line stances to get run/pass reads and then gun mechanics as far as the QB and alignment for the Wide receivers, now there are plenty more but I have to preserve my career.

Click here to read on: http://nfldraftzone.com/draft-news/draft-zone-spotlight-dawud-lane-lb-bethune-cookman-university/

BCU signs 24 high school and junior college players

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SONY DSCBethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins announced the signing of 24 student-athletes on National Signing Day.

Jenkins stated the goal of this recruiting class was to “build a new team” and “create depth and competition at every position”.

The 2013 class includes: 9 offensive and defensive linemen; 6 wide receivers; 4 running backs, 2 quarterbacks, 1 athlete, and 1 linebacker.

Defensive Lineman Jamal Cooper (Coahoma Community College), Punter/Place Kicker, Johnathan Cagle (Pensacola Pine Forest HS), and running backs Nate Pryor (Sebastian River HS) and Jamaruz Thompkins (Tampa Bay Tech HS) were among those whom Coach Jenkins mentioned as having the potential to make immediate impacts. 

Quarterback Larry Brihm (Delray Beach Village Academy) and wide receiver Frank Brown (Palm Beach Gardens) were the top performers at their positions in talent rich Palm Beach County in 2012.  In addition to Brihm and Brown, BCU also landed speedy and athletic Werley Placide (linebacker) from Boca Raton Olympic HS. The Palm Beach Post referenced BCU’s nabbing of the trio as a bit of a coup d’état for Brian Jenkins and his staff.

The Wildcats landed two local high school standouts in former Mainland High School quarterback Shelton Willis and reigning 8A State Champions Apopka High’s Dazzie Morris.

Four players from Jacksonville Raines signed with BCU all of whom are listed as wide receivers.

This is a deep class of signees who possess a great mix of size, speed, and athleticism.  Several of the signees selected the Daytona Beach institution over larger FBS programs which is a true testament to the growth of the BCU football program. 

2013 Bethune-Cookman Football Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

Darian Baker WR 5-10 174 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Larry Brihm QB 6-0 210 Delray Beach, Fla./Village Academy

Frank Brown WR 5-11 176 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens HS

Johnathan Cagle P/K 6-3 175 Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS

Jamal Cooper DL 6-4 280 Memphis, Tenn./Kirby HS/Coahoma CC

Jawill Davis WR 6-0 170 Miami, Fla./American HS

Terique Debois OL 6-3 310 Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem HS/Lackawanna CC

Jamal Dozier WR 6-1 160 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Andrew Edouard OL 6-0 290 Philadelphia, Pa./Overbrook HS/Lackawanna CC

Atreyu Farrior ATH 6-1 180 Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen HS

Anthony Green DT 6-1 245 Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson HS

Uriah Horne OG 6-3 260 McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing HS

William Koen III OL 6-4 250 Lawrenceville, Ga./Mountain View HS

Dazzie Morris OG 6-2 260 Apopka, Fla./Apopka HS

Dre’Sean Nelson RB 5-8 160 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS

Phillip Norman OG 6-4 280 Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River HS

Larry Overstreet RB 6-0 200 Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh HS/Fresno City College

Nathaniel Pryor RB 5-9 180 Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River HS

Dishawn Ray DT 6-4 305 Jesup, Ga./Wayne County HS

Bruce Seymore WR 6-2 171 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Jamaruz Thompkins RB 5-10 185 Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech

Devonte Washington WR 6-2 178 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

Shelton Willis QB 6-0 165 Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland HS

Top 12 Moments of 2012

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Before 2012 takes its final curtain call and 2013 takes center stage, here is a look back at the Top 12 highlights of the 2012 football season.

(In no particular order)

IkeIsidore Jackson joins 1,000 yard club:

Junior running back Isidore Jackson became just the 7th player in BCU history to rush for 1,000 in a season.  It was the first time that a BCU player reach the 1,000 yard milestone since Allen Suber reached the magical mark in 2002.  Jackson finished the year with 1,069 yards on the ground.  He now has 2,449 yards rushing for his career which is good enough for 3rd all-time.

Eddie PSteady Eddie:

Eddie Poole has played in every game of Brian Jenkins’ head coaching career.  All Poole has done in that 35 game span is catch a pass in every contest and move into sixth (6th) place all-time on BCU’s touchdown receptions list with seventeen (17).  No sweat; just another day at the office for Steady Eddie.

Preston Cleckley’s one hander:

The final score in the BCU/Tennessee State game did not favor the good guys; however, Preston Cleckley’s one handed grab in the back of the end zone against the Tigers may have been the single most spectacular play of the season. 

The 9 yard TD strike to Cleckley was quarterback Quentin Williams’ first collegiate TD pass.  The two hooked up again in the North Carolina Central game when Cleckley ran under a 76 yard Williams’ TD pass.   The 76 yarder was the longest pass play of the season for the Wildcats.

Brock Waters

Brock Waters

Comeback kids:

17 minutes into the 2012 season, BCU fans were frozen in disbelief.  The Wildcat faithful watched Alabama State seize all the momentum and a 21-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter.  But help arrived in the form of Louisiana Tech transfer Brodrick Waters.  Waters replaced Jackie Wilson at quarterback midway through the 2nd quarter and BCU scored 38 unanswered points.  BCU went on to win the contest 38-28.

The comeback theme was repeated the following week when BCU scored 27 unanswered points after South Carolina State jumped out to a 14-0 lead. 

Courtesy of BCU Athletics

Courtesy of BCU Athletics

Defense plays lights out in the 3rd and 4th quarters:

7, 0, 0, 16, 3, 3, 3, 7, 6, 7; no those aren’t the winning Powerball numbers.  Those numbers represent the total number of points the Wildcat defense surrendered to FCS competition in the second half of contests this season.  That averages out to a measly 5.2 points per game in the 3rd and 4th quarters. 

The Wildcat D surrendered no 2nd half touchdowns in the entire month of October.  Hopefully the defense will figure out a way to extend their 2nd half achievements over 4 quarters of football and elevate themselves to a dominant defensive team in 2013.

Nick Addison’s coming out party

Redshirt freshman Nick Addison put on a display against Hampton that caused the Maroon and Gold faithful to reminisce of the days of Mathis, Collins, Williams, and Wyatt.  Addison intercepted 2 passes against the Pirates including 1 he returned 90 yards for a touchdown, he recorded 11 tackles (9 solo, .5 tfl) in that contest, and he forced a fumble.  That makes for one heck of a coming out party.

Henry Frazier none-to-happy….Is there a rivalry brewing???

NCCU head coach Henry Frazier disapproved of coach Jenkins’ decision to throw a pass while leading 35-17 late in the 4th quarter.  A visibly upset Frazier stated after the contest that he would have elected to simply run the ball if he was in the same position and not attempt to “run up the score”.  Frazier went on to state that he would remember Jenkins’ actions and have his team ready when the two schools meet again.

Could this evolve into another Bill Hayes/Alvin Wyatt type rivalry……we shall see!

8-0

For the first time in school history, the Bethune-Cookman football team finished the season with a perfect 8-0 record in MEAC play.  The last time BCU finished undefeated in conference play was 1984 when quarterback Bernard Hawk led the Cats to a 4-0 mark.  BCU has now won 14 straight MEAC contests dating back to 2011 and can tie South Carolina State’s all-time consecutive MEAC win mark of 22 if they finish undefeated in conference play in 2013.

DSC_0091Offensive line play

The BCU offensive line paved the way for the league’s leading scoring offense (29.4 points per game), rushing offense (244 yards per contest) and total offense (388.75 yards per contest).  Ole Miss transfer, Terrence Hackney led the big men upfront.  Hackney was named to several postseason All-American squads including the Beyond Sports College Network, The Sports Network, and Box-To-Row All-American teams.  The best news for BCU fans is that Hackney has 2 years of eligibility remaining. 

Lavon McCoy and Eugene Solomon were also noteworthy performers in the trenches in 2012.

The beltHe’s staying:

After entertaining offers from other colleges, namely Southern University, and at least one NFL team, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brian Jenkins decided to sign a new deal and remain the leader of the BCU football team.

Jenkins has amassed a 27-8 record, 2 conference crowns, and 2 playoff berths during his brief time at Bethune. 

Run Ike Run:

Isidore Jackson’s 93 yard touchdown scamper against NCCU displayed many of the attributes that make a running back great.  Jackson broke 2 tackles (power), made a couple of guys miss (vision), and outran the rest of the field (speed) on his way to the endzone. 

It was the 4th longest touchdown run in school history and good enough to make the Top 12 in 2012 countdown.

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

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

State of the Art

BCU Football Operations moved into the 16,378 square foot Larry Hanfield Athletic Training Center in September.  The facility features a state of the art strength and conditioning center, hydrotherapy, x-ray and treatment rooms, technology equipped meeting rooms, a Hall of Fame lobby as well as other amenities.

The Training Center adds a huge boost to BCU’s recruiting, athletic facilities and footprint along the International Speedway corridor.

Brian Jenkins to remain as BCU’s head coach

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

HAIL-WILDCATS_GOLD LogoDaytona Beach – Bethune-Cookman interim president, Dr. Edison Jackson, athletic director Lynn Thompson, and head coach Brian Jenkins announced to an assembly of media and Wildcat supporters that Brian Jenkins will remain as the head football coach at BCU.

“Mr. Jenkins has given me an early Christmas gift by remaining with (the Bethune-Cookman) family” Dr. Jackson stated. 

Less than 24 hours ago, coach Jenkins was scheduled to spend all day Thursday completing a comprehensive interview for the same position at Southern University in Louisiana.  But in an 11th hour change of heart, Jenkins cancelled his interview with Southern on Wednesday night and inked a contract extension to remain at the Daytona Beach institution.

Jenkins stated “it’s not all about finances and it’s not all about football”.  “It all boils down to family and wanting to be with family”.  He went on to state: “if I were to end my career at Bethune-Cookman I would be okay with that”.

The Wildcats are 27-8 under the fiery third year head coach.  Jenkins led BCU to their first ever 10-0 start in 2010, their first ever 8-0 mark in MEAC play in 2012, and two (2) of the last three (3) MEAC titles.

Check back to read more details on today’s press conference including quotes from the head coach and administration.