Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Wildcats debut at #20 in FCS coaches poll

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FCS_logoSPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are ranked 20th in the 2013 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason Coaches Poll.  BCU, winners of two of the last three MEAC crowns, finished 23rd in the final Coaches Poll last season and 15th in 2010.

Two time defending FCS National Champions North Dakota State received 23 of 26 first place votes and grabbed top honors in the poll.  Montana State earned the No. 2 preseason ranking, Eastern Washington is third, followed by Sam Houston State and Wofford rounding out the top 5.

The FCS Coaches Poll is based exclusively on a voting panel of head coaches in the FCS under the cooperation of the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and is administered by the Southern Conference.

Preseason 2013 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll

Team (No. 1 Votes) 2012 Record Points Final 2012 Ranking

1. North Dakota State (23) 14-1 645 1

2. Montana State (1) 11-2 591 5

3. Eastern Washington 11-3 549 4

4. Sam Houston State (1) 11-4 534 2

5. Wofford 9-4 450 7

6. Central Arkansas 9-3 428 10

7. South Dakota State 9-4 410 17

8. New Hampshire 8-4 386 13

9. Villanova 8-4 381 16

10. Illinois State 9-4 379 9

11. Cal Poly 9-3 348 11

12. Towson 7-4 347 15

13. Stony Brook 10-3 326 12

14. Richmond 8-3 274 18

15. James Madison 7-4 235 21

16. Northern Iowa 5-6 218 NR

17. Lehigh 10-1 198 14

18. Northern Arizona 8-2 196 20

19. Eastern Kentucky (1) 8-3 188 19

20. Bethune-Cookman 9-3 159 23

21. Coastal Carolina 8-5 140 24

22. Montana 6-2* 135 NR

23. Eastern Illinois 7-5 120 25

24. Youngstown State 7-4 107 NR

25. Chattanooga 6-5 104 NR

Others receiving votes: Wagner (87), Colgate (67), Tennessee State (52), Harvard (48), Delaware (47), The Citadel (39), Liberty (39), Arkansas Pine-Bluff (35), Indiana State (27), Stephen F. Austin (19), McNeese State (16), Penn (13), Alcorn State (12), Jacksonville State (11), Samford (10), Norfolk State (7), Alabama State (7), UC Davis (7), Southern Illinois (6), Maine (5), Albany (5), Tennessee Tech (5), UT Martin (4), Gardner Webb (4), Sacramento State (3), Hampton (3), San Diego (2), Jackson State (1), Missouri State (1), Brown (1)

* Final 6 games of 2012 vacated

Note: The following programs are ineligible for the Coaches Poll due to their transition to the FBS- Appalachian State, Charlotte, Georgia Southern and Old Dominion.

 

Wildcats predicted to repeat; J. Fields and I. Jackson earn Player of the Year Honors

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BCU LB - Jarkevis Fields

BCU LB – Jarkevis Fields

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced on Friday at its annual Press Luncheon that defending conference champion, Bethune-Cookman, earned 16 of the 21 first place votes casted and were predicted to repeat as conference champions.  The Wildcats have won 14 consecutive games in conference including 8 straight in 2012.

In addition to the team accolades, linebacker Jarkevis Fields and running back Isidore Jackson were selected as Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Offensive Player of the Year respectively.

Fields, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Sanford, Fla., led the Wildcats in tackles in both 2011 and 2012.  Last season he registered 103 tackles, six tackles for losses and a sack; and he helped pace a defense that finished 7th nationally in Total Defense (301.42 ypg); 10th nationally in Scoring Defense (18.25 ppg), and 1st nationally in Turnovers Gained (36).

Jackson, 5-10, 205-pound from running back Mossy Head, Fla., eclipsed the 1,000 rushing mark in 2012 and spearheaded the MEAC’s top rushing attack (244 ypg); top Total Offense (387.9 ypg); and top Scoring Offense (29.4 ppg).  Jackson and FAMU quarterback Damien Flemming were named Co-Offensive Player of Year.

Joining Isidore Jackson and Jarkevis Fields on the MEAC’s first team All-Conference were offensive lineman Alex Monroe, defensive back Nick Addison, and defensive end LeBrandon Richardson.  Wide receiver Eddie Poole landed on the second team for offense, and defensive lineman Tevin Toney received honorable mention awards.

2013 Predicted Order of Finish

(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)

School                                                                  Points

1.      Bethune-Cookman (16)                                     480
2.      South Carolina State (2)                                   365
3.      North Carolina A&T                                           302
4.      North Carolina Central                                      260
5.      Florida A&M                                                     250
6.      Howard                                                           227
7.      Norfolk State (1)                                             222
8.      Delaware State                                                201
9.      Hampton (1)                                                   196
10.   Morgan State                                                   113
11.   Savannah State (1)                                           52

2013 Football All-Conference Preseason Teams

Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Damien Flemming, Florida A&M and Isidore Jackson, Bethune-Cookman

                 Defensive Player of the Year: Jarkevis Fields, Bethune-Cookman

Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Damien Fleming Jr. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla.
RB Isidore Jackson Sr. Bethune-Cookman Mossy Head, Fla.
RB* Malcolm Williams Jr. Delaware State Reading, Pa.
RB* James Owens r-Sr. Florida A&M Apopka, Fla.
WR Lenworth Lennon r-Jr. Florida A&M Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
WR Simon Hewyard Sr. Savannah State Savannah, Ga.
TE Joseph Hawkins r-Sr. Norfolk State Chicago, Ill.
C Brandon Cunningham Sr. Delaware State Lumberton, N.J.
OL Alex Monroe Sr. Bethune-Cookman Jacksonville, Fla.
OL Kevin House r-Jr. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla.
OL Zerrie Patterson So. Florida A&M Fort Pierce, Fla.
OL Joshua Matthews Sr. Howard Bowman, S.C.
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL LeBrandon Richardson Jr. Bethune-Cookman Miami, Fla.
DL Damon Gresham Chisholm So. Howard Covington, Ga.
DL Rodney Gunter Jr. Delaware State Haines, Fla.
DL Javon Hargrave So. South Carolina State Salisbury, N.C.
LB Jarkevis Fields Sr. Bethune-Cookman Sanford, Fla.
LB Ernest Adjei Sr. Delaware State Woodbridge, Va.
LB Lynden Trail r-Jr. Norfolk State Miami, Fla.
DB Nick Addison Jr. Bethune-Cookman Tampa, Fla.
DB Julien David Sr. Howard Coral Springs, Fla.
DB D’Vonte Graham Sr. North Carolina A&T Tallahassee, Fla.
DB Terrick Colston So. Delaware State Lakeland, Fla.
P Nick Belcher r-Sr. South Carolina State Sumter, S.C.
PK Chase Varnadore r-So. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
RS D’Vonte Graham Sr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, N.C.
Second Team        
OFFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Jordan Reid r-Sr. North Carolina Central High Point, N.C.
RB Aquanius Freeman Jr. Howard New Orleans, La.
RB Brendon Riddick r-So. Norfolk State Richmond, Va.
WR Eddie Poole Grad. Bethune-Cookman Belle Glade, Fla.
WR Derrick Demps r-Sr. Norfolk State Tallahassee, Fla.
TE David Wilson Sr. Howard Sacramento, Calif.
C Ronald Canty r-Jr. North Carolina A&T Chester, S.C.
OL John Smith r-So. Howard Atlanta, Ga.
OL Jamal Wilson r-Sr. Hampton Brooklyn, N.Y.
OL Williams Robinson r-Jr. North Carolina A&T Clinton, Md.
OL Charles Goodwin r-Sr. North Carolina Central High Point, N.C.
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Tyree Hearn Sr. North Carolina A&T Durham, N.C.
DL George Riddick Jr. Norfolk State Suffolk, Va.
DL Matthew Davis Sr. Hampton Chesapeake, Va.
DL Demarco Bisbee r-So. Morgan State Lansing, Mich.
LB D’Vonte Grant Sr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, N.C.
LB Justin Hughes Jr. South Carolina State Virginia Beach, Va.
LB Travis Crosby Sr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, N.C.
DB Davon Moore Jr. Delaware State Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
DB Joe Rankin Sr. Morgan State Germantown, Md.
DB Ryan Smith r-So. North Carolina Central Upper Marlboro, Md.
DB* John Wilson Sr. Savannah State Athens, Ga.
DB* Jonathan Pillow r-Sr. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla.
P Matthew Cornellus r-Sr. North Carolina Central Charlotte, N.C.
PK Oleg Parent Jr. North Carolina Central Lake Forest, Calif.
RS James Owens r-Sr. Florida A&M Apopka, Fla.
Third Team        
OFFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Nico Flores r-Sr. Norfolk State Miami, Fla.
RB Dae-Hon Cheung So. Delaware State Coatesville, Pa.
RB Conley Smith So. Norfolk State Chesapeake, Va.
WR Tyler McDonald Sr. South Carolina State Summerville, SC
WR Dylan Cook Sr. Savannah State Hiram, Ga.
TE Kris Drummond Jr. Savannah State Washington, D.C.
C Doug Almendares Sr. Florida A&M Miami, Fla.
OL Domanic Wilson r-Jr. South Carolina State Lake City, SC
OL Karim Barton Sr. Morgan State Los Angeles, Calif.
OL E.J. Rogers r-Jr. Norfolk State Alexandria, Va.
OL Cameron Williams r-Sr. Norfolk State Burke, Va.
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Andrew Carter r-Jr. South Carolina State Hamlet, NC
DL Tevin Toney Sr. Bethune-Cookman Sebring, Fla.
DL Micah Blount Sr. Savannah State Stone Mountain, Ga.
DL* Chikezie Ukeje Sr. Delaware State Stanten Island, N.Y.
DL* Noel Clarke Jr. Jr. Norfolk State Brooklyn, N.Y.
LB Christopher Robinson r-Jr. Morgan State Germantown, Md.
LB Joe Boyd Sr. Delaware State Ft. Washington, Md.
LB Brandon Denmark Sr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
DB Keenan Lambert r-Jr. Norfolk State Norfolk, Va.
DB Nathan Ayers Jr. Morgan State Baltimore, Md.
DB Devontae Johnson r-Jr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
DB Carvin Johnson Sr. Hampton New Orleans, La.
PK Nick Belcher r-Sr. South Carolina State Sumter, SC
RS Chris Flowers Sr. Morgan State Haines City, Fla.

 

*indicates tie

(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.

Final Florida Classic Rant

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

Undisputed and outright champs

At the conclusion of this past Saturday’s Florida Classic, coach Brian Jenkins was seen hugging players, celebrating with the Marching Wildcats, and wearing a 2012 MEAC Champions Belt around his waist.  Yeah you heard me, coach Jenkins was rocking a Championship belt around his waist that Dusty Rhodes would have been proud to don. 

“I have been telling (our football team) about the belt.  You want to be the one to put on the belt in the end.  Right now this phase of our season is done.  We have won this belt and hopefully we can put things together and be able to put on another (belt)” coach Jenkins stated.

 Look Good Play Good

BCU White Helmet

The Bethune-Cookman football team wore all white uniforms (helmets included) for the first time in school history on Saturday.  The new white headgear is the fourth helmet the Wildcats have competed in during the Brian Jenkins era.  When asked about the abundance of helmets and uniform combinations, coach Jenkins stated: “the young men deserve it.  We are so hard on our young men throughout the year about doing things right.  I believe in rewarding them for the effort that they put in for this university.  So it’s things like that I do to show them appreciation for their effort, dedication, commitment and passion to each other, for each other, and also for this university”.

He went on to state: “the guys did not know when the white helmets were coming.  When they came into the locker room before the game, they saw the maroon helmets.  They put them on (and went out for pregame).  When they came back in (the locker room) they saw the white helmets.  The helmets gave our guys a charge and some excitement to our fans”.  “I don’t know you might see a different helmet next week” (in the playoff matchup).

BCU is 4-0 in helmet reveal games during the Brian Jenkins era.

Eddie Robinson Award Finalist

Coach Brian Jenkins, who has led his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats to their second FCS playoff appearance in three years, has been named a 2012 Eddie Robinson Award Finalist.  The award is presented annually to the national coach of the year in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) by The Sports Network.

“Obviously, this is an extreme honor to be named a finalist for an award of this magnitude,” expressed Brian Jenkins on Monday afternoon. “This award not only shows the hard work of a head coach, his staff and players throughout the year, but also the hard work and dedication of a man for whom the award is named. “Not only was Eddie Robinson an inspiration to me, but he paved the way for African-American coaches like myself and many more to reach new heights in the college football coaching ranks. Again, it’s such an honor to be named a finalist for this award.”

Coach Jenkins led BCU to their first ever 10-0 start when he arrived on campus in 2010.  Saturday’s win earned the Wildcats their first ever 8-0 season in league play.     

The Wildcats, who earned the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, will host Big South champion Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.  Tickets can be purchsed from the Bethune-Cookman Box Office or from Ticketmaster.com.

Think Pink this Saturday

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

Courtesy of BCU Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It was announced Wednesday that Bethune-Cookman University Football will join the nation in spreading the message about breast cancer awareness this weekend when the Wildcats host Norfolk State to Municipal Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.

Already billed as the Second Annual Biker Classic, the game will also serve as the Wildcats’ contest to show support continuing research for breast cancer.

Head football coach Brian Jenkins and his team will host an auction for a limited edition pink Bethune-Cookman football helmet through BCUathletics.com, as well as at the stadium throughout the first half of the game. Bids for the helmet will begin Thursday at 9 a.m. In addition, donations will be collected throughout Saturday’s game from fans in attendance.

The Wildcats football team will also wear pink towels and wristbands during the game.

All proceeds from the auction and donations will go towards supporting breast cancer awareness and research.

At the request of Coach Jenkins, breast cancer survivors will lead the Legacy Walk.

Limited edition Bethune-Cookman Football breast cancer awareness shirts are on sale at the B-CU Box Office for just $5. Fans may also purchase a combo pack with a shirt and a ticket with admittance to the game in the Cat Zone for just $10. Order your shirt and tickets now by clicking here, or by calling (386) 481-2465.

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or “Like Us” on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

-www.BCUathletics.com-