Bethune-Cookman

Top 5 B-CU/SCSU games in history

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Suber man

Allen Suber – Onnidan.com

Following 13th ranked (SportsNetwork) Bethune-Cookman’s pivotal 14-3 win over South Carolina State Saturday at Municipal Stadium, I started thinking about the intense battles this matchup has produced in recent history.

Although the Bulldogs lead the series 28-19-1, the Wildcats have won three of the last four meetings and have had some of their most memorable wins in school history versus their conference foes from Orangeburg, SC.

Listed below are the top five games between the Wildcats and Bulldogs.

Bethune-Cookman solidifies position atop the MEAC with 14-3 win over SCSU

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Credits: BCU Athletics

Credits: BCU Athletics

The final transition in the MEAC’s changing of the guard was solidified on Saturday afternoon with #14 Bethune-Cookman’s 14-3 Homecoming victory over South Carolina State in Daytona Beach.

The Wildcat defense limited the Bulldogs to just 143 yards of total offense and forced 3 SCSU turnovers including 2 in the red zone during Saturday’s contest.  Marquis Drayton undercut a Richard Cue pass intended for Temarrick Hemingway to provide BCU with their first impactful defensive play of the afternoon.

On the subsequent drive, quarterback Quentin Williams guided the “good guys” on a 9 play, 81 yard touchdown drive.  Williams went 5-5 on the drive with the biggest play, a 47 yard strike to Eddie Poole, requiring a little divine intervention.

“When I tell you God is good, God is good.  I lost the ball in the sun for like 3 seconds but somehow it landed softly in my hands” Eddie Poole stated when commenting on the reception that gave BCU 1st and goal from the 1.

The drive culminated with a 4 yard pass from Williams to Isidore Jackson giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest.

Two possessions later, BCU pushed its lead to 14-0 this time scoring on a 6 yard quarterback keeper by Williams.

Williams, who played the entire game at quarterback, finished the contest 12-16 for 220 yards and 1 touchdown.  Eddie Poole caught 5 passes for 130 yards and moved up to 5th place all-time on the BCU receptions list.

Jarkevis Fields paced the Wildcats with 14 tackles; none bigger than his 4th quarter stop at the 1 yard line forcing a Justin Taylor fumble and BCU recovery in the endzone.  “I saw (Taylor) coming downhill.  I went down low and my helmet hit the ball.  The next thing I knew the crowd was screaming so I knew it was a turnover.  I looked up and thankfully Donald Smith reacted the way our coaches taught us and fell on the ball in the endzone.”

After the game, a consolatory Buddy Pough stated:  “I’m going to be honest; I thought Cookman just outplayed us today.”  “I have to take my hat off to Coach Jenkins and his staff.  They found a couple little things that gave them a chance to get ahead early.  The guy (Coach Jenkins) is a good football coach.  They put together a great program.  They have a great following.  They have probably the most fertile group of (recruiting) talent there is in this part of the country. You put all those things together along with his connections and the great job he’s doing coaching and you win football games.”

BCU’s win over SCSU stretches their MEAC win streak to 17 games.

GAME STATS: http://www.bcuathletics.com/fls/23910/pdf/Football/BCUFB13_Gamebook_08SCSU.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=23910

Bethune-Cookman vs. South Carolina State–The best non-traditional rivalry in HBCU football???

/ J Bell / 2 Comments

On the huntWhat a great time to be in the World’s Most Famous Beach.  The days are sunny, the nights are pleasant, and there is a tangible sensation of excitement permeating the air.  It is homecoming week at Bethune-Cookman University and the Wildcats are preparing to take on perennial MEAC power South Carolina State. 

This matchup is special any time it’s played.  Adding the pageantry, expectations, and atmosphere of a  homecoming event to it as well as the stakes of first place in the league standings makes it epic.

Non-Traditional Rivalry

The BCU vs. SCSU annual showdown has become one of the best on-the-field rivalries (albeit a non-traditional one) in all of HBCU football.  There is no disdain for or hatred of the opposing team’s fan base.  There are no geographical wars over disputed lands of which to speak.  To the best of our knowledge, no grandkids have been written out of the Will for choosing the wrong side and no giant oak trees have been poisoned (sorry Auburn fans).   Instead, this rivalry evolved from intense, hard-hitting action on the field and the primal desire of 2 clans of alpha males slugging it out to prove that they are the MEAC’s top dog (or top cat if you prefer).

SCSU standout defensive lineman Javon Hargrave stated he thinks about Bethune-Cookman a lot.   “The coaches keep saying how they’ve got us set up for homecoming,” Hargrave said. “We just don’t get along with Bethune-Cookman very well. South Carolina State and Bethune-Cookman is a rivalry.”

Even Brian Jenkins ventured from his normal tight-lipped postgame rhetoric and repeatedly exclaimed his excitement about this weekend’s matchup after his team’s 48-21 dismantling of Savannah State.  Jenkins used the word “excited nine times in a 24 second span and stated  the game would be a “star-studded event.”

DSC_0119These Games Matter

Tradional HBCU rivalries like Jackson State vs. Tennessee State; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; and FAMU vs. Southern all draw much larger crowds, but when BCU and SCSU tangle the outcomes have an impact on the college football landscape.

The winner of this game has gone on to win 4 of the last 5 MEAC championships.  They share 5 playoff appearances between themselves since 2008 and they have won 2 Black College National Championships in that same timeframe. BCU and SCSU were predicted to finish 1st and 2nd respectively by the league’s coaches and sports information directors at this year’s MEAC Media Luncheon.  They rank first and second in the league in Scoring Offense, Total Offense, Scoring Defense, and Total Defense.

SCSU head coach Buddy Pough has won four MEAC crowns in 11 seasons and guided the Bulldogs to an all-time MEAC best 21 consecutive game conference win streak from 2007-2010.  In a twist of irony, BCU can match that mark this season if they win out and it was the Jenkins-led Wildcats who ended the Bulldogs win streak in Oliver Dawson Stadium in October of 2010.

The Wildcats have won 2 MEAC titles in Brian Jenkins’ first 3 seasons.  Jenkins owns a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Pough and BCU has won 9 of the past 15 matchups with SCSU.  The Wildcats are the only MEAC school to boast a winning record in Orangeburg during Pough’s tenure (3-1).  However, this game isn’t being played in South Cackalacky and the homefield has proven to be somewhat of a disadvantage in this matchup as of late.   The road team has inexplicably won 6 of the last 8 meetings in this contest.  In SCSU’s last visit to Municipal Stadium two years ago, they left with a 26-18 victory. 

The 2011 loss suffered at the hands of the Bulldogs is the only MEAC home defeat on Jenkins’ record and it is all that separates coach Jenkins from earning 3 MEAC crowns in 3 years.  Saturday’s winner will earn sole possession of 1st place in the conference and gain a stronghold on the league’s automatic qualifier bid for postseason play.

It’s Buddy vs. Brian; the 101 vs. the Pride; the old guard vs. the new; Big Dogs vs. Big Cats; South Carolina State vs. Bethune-Cookman.  It’s HBCU football at its best.

So tell us what you think.  Has the BCU vs. SCSU matchup become the best non-traditional rivalry in HBCU football?

MEAC Roundup 10.20.13- BCU, SCSU tied for first

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BCUSSU

Credits: BCUAthletics

MEAC: Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State tied for first

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com

MEAC ROUNDUP: Defending champion Bethune-Cookman remained atop the MEAC standings as the Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) crushed visiting Savannah State, 48-21.

BCU’s win sets up next Saturday’s “Showdown on Da Beach” with fellow MEAC unbeaten, South Carolina State.  The winner will gain sole possession of first place in the league heading into the final four week stretch of the 2013 campaign.In other MEAC action, the recent trend of parity continued to rear its ugly head as 4 road teams picked up victories.  Delaware State (3-4, 3-1) was two minutes away from a shutout, pulling off a nonetheless stunning 12-7 win over a suddenly slumping North Carolina A&T (3-3, 1-3) in Greensboro.

Also surging up from the depths of near oblivion Saturday were two formerly 0-5 teams, Hampton and Morgan State (both 2-5, 2-1).  Hampton defeated cross bay rival Norfolk State (2-5, 2-2), 27-17 at Norfolk, Va., while Morgan State outslugged host North Carolina Central (3-4, 1-2), 34-22 in Durham, N.C.In the day’s other game, visiting Howard University (2-6, 1-3) scored 21 first half points and made it stand up to spoil Florida A&M’s homecoming (2-5, 1-2), 21-10 in Tallahassee.

Next Week’s slate features all 11 schools in action in five conference bouts and one non-conference affair, including Hampton at Delaware State, 1:00; Norfolk State at ODU, 1:00; Morgan State at Howard, 1:00; North Carolina A&T at Florida A&M, 2:00; North Carolina Central at Savannah State 2:00, and the big one, South Carolina State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00.2013 MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS

Through October 19

Team …………………… Conference …….. Overall

Bethune-Cookman ……. 3-0 1.000 ….. 6-1 .857

South Carolina State …. 3-0 1.000 ….. 5-2 .714

Delaware State ………… 3-1 .750 ….. 3-4 .428

Hampton ………………… 2-1 .667 ….. 2-5 .285

Morgan State …………… 2-1 .667 ….. 2-5 .285

Norfolk State ………….. 2-2 .500 ….. 2-5 .285

North Carolina Central .. 1-2 .333 ….. 3-4 .428

Florida A&M ……………. 1-2 .333 ….. 2-5 .285

North Carolina A&T …… 1-3 .250 ….. 3-3 .500

Howard …………………. 1-3 .250 ….. 2-6 .250

Savannah State ……….. 0-4 .000 ….. 1-7 .125

MEAC WEEK EIGHT SCORECARD (October 19)
Bethune-Cookman 48, Savannah State 21
Delaware State 12, North Carolina A&T 7
Howard 21, Florida A&M 10
Hampton 27, Norfolk State 17
Morgan State 34, North Carolina Central 22

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE (October 26)
Hampton at Delaware State, 1:00
Norfolk State at ODU, 1:00
Morgan State at Howard, 1:00
North Carolina A&T at Florida A&M, 2:00
North Carolina Central at Savannah State 2:00
South Carolina State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00

Wildcats take care of Savannah State 48-21

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Credits: BCU Athletics

Credits: BCU Athletics

Bethune-Cookman scored 42 first half points and cruised to a 48-21 victory against Savannah State on Saturday evening in Municipal Stadium.  Cary White and Isidore Jackson accounted for all six of BCU’s first-half touchdowns.

Jackson opened the game’s scoring on a 16-yard TD reception from Quentin Williams and rushed for two more scores later in the half.  White added rushing touchdowns of 1, 24 and 12 yards.

Simon Heyward scored on a 76-yard TD pass from Leon Prunty to give the Tigers their first points of the evening.

After a scoreless 3rd quarter, SSU scored twice in the 4th on a pair of Antonio Bostick touchdown throws. BCU registered its only points of the second half on the strength of a 27 yard TD run by Michael Jones.

The Wildcats now shift their attention towards next week’s homecoming showdown against South Carolina State.

Team Stat Comparison

SAV

COOK
1st Downs 19 25
Total Yards 404 465
Passing 310 192
Rushing 94 273
Penalties 7-66 8-55
3rd Down Conversions 5-16 4-10
4th Down Conversions 2-7 1-2
Turnovers 5 4
Possession 30:38 29:22

Passing Leaders

Savannah State C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Bostick 17/36 202 5.6 2 2
Bethune-Cookman C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Williams 10/14 143 10.2 1 0

Rushing Leaders

Savannah State CAR YDS AVG TD LG
Veals 9 59 6.6 0 18
Daniels 6 21 3.5 0 9
Bethune-Cookman CAR YDS AVG TD LG
White 7 69 9.9 3 24
Jackson 12 54 4.5 2 12

Receiving Leaders

Savannah State REC YDS AVG TD LG
Heyward 3 113 37.7 1 76
Moore 1 59 59.0 0 59
Bethune-Cookman REC YDS AVG TD LG
Gordon 2 47 23.5 0 34
Jackson 3 34 11.3 1 16

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER SAV COOK
TD 12:53 Isidore Jackson 16 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Jonathan Cagle Kick) 0 7
TD 07:25 Cary White 1 Yd Run (Jonathan Cagle Kick) 0 14
TD 01:15 Cary White 24 Yd Run (Jonathan Cagle Kick) 0 21
SECOND QUARTER SAV COOK
TD 11:07 Cary White 12 Yd Run (Jonathan Cagle Kick) 0 28
TD 10:13 Simon Heyward 76 Yd Pass From Leon Prunty (Preston Mccarthy Kick) 7 28
TD 06:23 Isidore Jackson 2 Yd Run (Jonathan Cagle Kick) 7 35
TD 00:54 Isidore Jackson 2 Yd Run (Jonathan Cagle Kick) 7 42
FOURTH QUARTER SAV COOK
TD 13:23 Edward Lackey 3 Yd Pass From Antonio Bostick (Preston Mccarthy Kick) 14 42
TD 11:40 Michael D. Jones 27 Yd Run (Pat Blocked) 14 48
TD 07:03 Jake Durham 15 Yd Pass From Antonio Bostick (Preston Mccarthy Kick) 21 48

MEAC, Ohio Valley trust change is in the air

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Credits: TSU Athletics

Credits: TSU Athletics

By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Is this finally the year? That’s what teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Ohio Valley Conference have been asking themselves for too long.

They’re hoping the first half of the season suggests the FCS playoffs will be different – for whomever comes out of their respective conference.

But they might have an idea already the way OVC front-runners Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State and MEAC leaders Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State are playing this season. All four could be postseason-bound.

Both conferences are steeped in tradition, but, incredibly, a MEAC team has not won an FCS playoff game since 1999 and the OVC has been shut out since 2000.

UT Martin coach Jason Simpson said at OVC media day that the lack of playoff success is the “thorn in our (the conference’s) side right now.” South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough says success in the playoffs “is at a real, real high level. Until as a (MEAC) league we all get there, I don’t know if any individual can rise above it enough to hang in the league with the CAA and with the Southern Conference and those kinds of leagues.”

Coaches in both conferences point to difficult first-round matchups as the main reason for the playoff failure. When the playoffs were 16 teams deep, the MEAC sometimes ran into a regional road block against the CAA or SoCon, and the OVC champ sometimes ran into a Missouri Valley Football Conference team, and, in three different years from 2001-10, the eventual national champion, in an early round game.

This year’s results can’t be denied, however. The playoffs will expand from 20 to 24 teams, and both conferences could have two playoff qualifiers each.

In the OVC, No. 5-ranked Eastern Illinois (5-1) has basically had the best results of any team in the FCS, starting with a three-touchdown win at San Diego State and victories over Southern Illinois, Illinois State and Eastern Kentucky, losing only to Northern Illinois. The Jimmy Garoppolo express is on another level this season and the Panthers could be headed toward being a seeded team.

Tennessee State (6-1) might have the type of stingy defense to stop EIU, and the road-tested the Tigers hope to win the OVC’s automatic bid. The Tigers have only lost by a field goal to Bethune-Cookman

Speaking of whom, Bethune-Cookman (5-1) could enter the picture as the MEAC’s best hope to the playoff drought. Like Eastern Illinois, the Wildcats have a win over an FBS team (FIU) and their only loss was to another FBS opponent (Florida State).

They hosted playoff games in 2010 and last year, and have no intention of coughing up another home game if they have one this season.

But Bethune-Cookman may not even be the MEAC’s top club. South Carolina State (5-2) has reeled off five straight wins, including a sweep of North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central in a five-day span, to make a statement after having a rare subpar season under coach Buddy Pough. Their losses are only to Clemson and unbeaten Coastal Carolina.

South Carolina State hosts Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 26, which is also the date of the Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State showdown.

Veterans at quarterback and playmakers on defenses link the four teams. Victories in the playoffs may link them by season’s end.

Read on: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4631160

MEAC Roundup 10/12/13 – Seperation Saturday ???

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Alvin Hollins Jr.

Alvin Hollins Jr.

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com – Most teams are at the halfway point of their seasons, and some things are becoming clear:

THE BEST OF THE BEST: Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State. These two are headed for a classic Showcase Showdown: DOGS vs. CATS ON THE BEACH, October 26….

TEAMS ON THE RISE?: Parity has reared its head in this league with only two remaining unbeaten teams (See Best of the Best), leaving a nine-team mass of humanity in their wake…. Delaware State (2-1) seems to be the best of the crowd, although Norfolk State (2-1) is tied with them for third (DSU owns a head-to-head edge from Saturday’s 14-7 win over NSU)….

IMPOSTERS OR HOPEFULS: After that, there is a four-team pack of 1-1 teams who still have hopes to have a say in the conference race: North Carolina Central, FAMU, Morgan State and Hampton… Hampton pulled a huge upset of North Carolina A&T ending a winless streak,,, FAMU snapped a four-game slide with a win at Savannah State, ending for the moment a mystifying slump that had the Rattler faithful shaking their heads… NCCU was bombed at home Thursday by South Carolina State, raising questions about the program’s stability with the drama surrounding their deposed coach… Morgan State was off Saturday, but they too have been too inconsistent to be a contender…

FLAT OUT OF IT: North Carolina A&T (1-2) was riding the wave of a 3-0 start including two OOC wins, but back-to-back conference losses have all but eliminated them from the race, but perhaps the program is showing fatigue being shorthanded scholarship wise, and from some problematic issues with personnel…. Howard (0-3) is clearly a team of potential perhaps missing their head coach (on leave), but the Bison seem to be in fade mode now…. Savannah State (0-3) may be the most dangerous 0-3 team in the league with their Air Raid spread offense under first year coach Earnest Wilson, and may yet scratch out a win or two before the year ends…

NOTES: The league will hit the halfway point in conference play this week, and it appears that B-CU and SCSU (remember those preseason predictions??? Starting to look like Nostradumus those folks) are a cut above, but while SCSU seems to be on a mission to dominate and destroy, B-CU seems content to get the lead and protect it…. Should make for an interesting bout in two weeks…

What will be interesting will be how the other nine squads shake out…. Delaware State has just one team left on its’ schedule with a .500 overall record, this week at North Carolina A&T, so the pesky Hornets might still have a title shot if the frontrunners find an oil slick or two on the road ahead…. DSU arguably had the strongest schedule with #1 North Dakota State, #4 Towson, #16 Bethune-Cookman and Delaware…

Norfolk State has a rugged closing schedule with ODU (Oct. 26), then B-CU, SCSU and NCCU in the last three games in November…

Everyone else, we’ll just have to wait and see….

 

2013 MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Through October 12
Team …………………… Conference …….. Overall
South Carolina State …. 3-0 1.000 ….. 5-2 .714
Bethune-Cookman ……. 2-0 1.000 ….. 5-1 .857
Delaware State …………2-1 .667 ….. 2-4 .333
Norfolk State ………….. 2-1 .667 ….. 2-4 .333
North Carolina Central .. 1-1 .500 ….. 3-3 .500
Florida A&M ……………. 1-1 .500 ….. 2-4 .333
Hampton …………………1-1 .500 ….. 1-5 .167
Morgan State ……………1-1 .500 ….. 1-5 .167
North Carolina A&T …… 1-2 .333 ….. 3-2 .600
Howard …………………. 0-3 .000 ….. 1-6 .142
Savannah State ……….. 0-3 .000 ….. 1-6 .142

MEAC WEEK SEVEN SCORECARD (October 10-12)
Thursday
South Carolina State 44, North Carolina Central 3, ESPNU

Saturday
Bethune-Cookman 27, Howard 6
Hampton 31, North Carolina A&T 26
Delaware State 14, Norfolk State 7
Florida A&M 27, Savannah State 14

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE (October 19)
Savannah State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00
Hampton at Norfolk State, 1:00
Delaware State at North Carolina A&T, 1:00
Morgan State at North Carolina Central, 2:00
Howard University at Florida A&M, 2:00
South Carolina State is idle.

MEAC Power Rankings Week 6

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Here’s how the 11 MEAC teams stack up based  on records, rankings and their remaining schedules as the Hunt For November begins.

Howard QB Greg McGhee (Courtesy Photo/Howard Sports)

Howard QB Greg McGhee (Courtesy Photo/Howard Sports)

 

By ALVIN HOLLINS  JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com

Now that the 2013 Mid-Eastern  Athletic Conference Football’s “Hunt For November” is in full swing with league  play headed into its’ third week, the time has come for ranking the boyz from  top to bottom, along with their remaining schedules.

The rankings below  are based on the Jeff Sagarin College Football Ratings, and any positions in  various national polls will be included.


Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 1-0 * #16 FCS/#1 SBN/#2 HSRN * 118  Sagarin)
@ With wins over #145 Sagarin/#1 HSRN/#2 SBN Tennessee  State (5-1) and FBS member Florida International, the defending champs are the  team to beat…. And with North Carolina A&T’s 29-24 conference loss to South  Carolina State last week, the Wildcats are in full control of their own destiny,  as they for now have avoided a potential tie with A&T for the title since  the two teams don’t play this season… The ‘Cats do have three key games in the  next four weeks: Saturday at Howard; Oct. 26 vs. SCSU; Nov. 2 at NCCU.

REMAINING SCHEDULE: Saturday @ Howard; 10-19 SSU; 10-26 SCSU; 11-2 @  NCCU; 11-9 NSU; 11-16 HAMP; 11-23 FAMU (Orlando).


South Carolina State (4-2, 2-0 * #3 SBN/#4 HRSN * 162  Sagarin)
@ The Bulldogs appear to be on the rebound from last  year’s sub .500 overall finish, owning a slice of the league lead and a huge win  over North Carolina A&T, puts them on track towards a possible 13th MEAC  title… But the next three weeks will likely tell the tale of the Bulldogs’  season as they are at NCCU Thursday, then trek to Bethune-Cookman after a bye  week, on Oct. 26.

REMAINING GAMES: Thursday at NCCU; 10-19 BYE; 10-26  @ B-CU; 11-2 @ SSU; 11-9 FAMU; 11-16 MORG; 11-23 @ NSU

North  Carolina A&T (3-1, 1-1 * #5 SBN/#7 HSRN * 176 Sagarin)
@the  Aggies scored big out-of-conference wins over Appalachian State and Elon to open  a few eyes, but their march toward the MEAC title was derailed a bit by their  heartbreaking 29-24 loss to resurgent South Carolina State in Atlanta last  Saturday.
A&T will need help to win the title as they will be chasing  B-CU, SCSU, NCCU and Norfolk the rest of the way, with only NCCU on their  schedule at season’s end.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday @ Hampton; 10-19  DSU; 10-26 @ FAMU; 11-2 VA-LYNCHBURG; 11-9 @ MORG; 11-16 SSU; 11-23  NCCU

North Carolina Central (3-2, 1-0 * #9 HSRN/#10  SBN * 192 Sagarin)
@despite the off-field drama surrounding  deposed head coach Henry Frazier, the Eagles remain focused on chasing their  first MEAC title in 40 years… Very competitive in a 35-17 home setback to #4 FCS  Towson on Sept. 21, the Eags outslugged Howard, 37-28 on the road last week in  their league opener… NCCU has the other four title contenders on tap (SCSU, NSU,  B-CU and A&T), beginning their attack run at home Thursday against first  place SCSU.

REMAINING GAMES: Thursday SCSU; 10-19 MORG; 10-26 @ SSU;  11-2 B-CU; 11-9 @ HAM; 11-16 NSU; 11-23 @ NCA&T

DSC_0184Norfolk State (2-3, 2-0 * #10 HSRN * 225 Sagarin)
@ Two  conference wins have softened the disappointment of an 0-3 start, which included  relatively close bouts against Charleston Southern and Maine, plus a money game  at Rutgers… The Spartans’ league wins were no walks in the park though, as they  eased past Morgan State (27-21) and needed a blocked field goal to eke past  suddenly dangerous Savannah State (26-24) last week…. The Spartans, who are  spared a matchup with A&T, will have the trio of Bethune-Cookman and NCCU  back-to-back on the road before closing at home against SCSU… Oh, and they duel  ODU in two weeks (Oct. 26) too.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday at DSU;  10-19 HAMP; 10-26 ODU; 11-2 FAMU; 11-9 @b-CU; 11-16 @ NCCU; 11-23  SCSU.

Howard University (1-5, 0-2 * 221  Sagarin)
@ The Bison started strong in their first two games,  holding a fourth quarter lead before fading at Eastern Michigan, 34-24, then  rebounding for a 27-16 against Morehouse, but have since dropped three straight  including back-to-back conference games which have all but snuffed out their  title hopes for 2013… Their Saturday home bout with defending champion  Bethune-Cookman could either eliminate them from title contention, or keep them  in the mix, as their remaining schedule after Saturday features six teams with  losing records.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. B-CU; 10-19 @ FAMU;  10-26 MORG; 11-2 @ DSU; 11-9 SSU; 11-16 @tex. SOUTH; 11-23 @  HAMP

Delaware State (1-4, 1-1 * 229 Sagarin) 
@ The Hornets have been a tough out despite being in rebuilding  mode, escaping Savannah State with a 24-22 win, before going toe-to-toe with  #21st ranked Bethune-Cookman for three quarters before bowing out 21-7… The  Hornets have played a rugged schedule so far which features three FCS Top 25  teams – #1 North Dakota State; #4 Towson and the #21 Wildcats, along with  perennial power Delaware…. DSU has two remaining contenders on their schedule,  Norfolk State at home Saturday and North Carolina A&T on the road (Oct.  19).

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. Norfolk State; 10-19 @ NCA&T;  10-26 @ HAMP; 11-2 HOWARD; 11-9 BYE; 11-16 @ FAMU; 11-23  MORG.

Morgan State (1-5, 1-1 * 234  Sagarin)
@ The Bears snapped a five-game skid last Saturday with a  34-21 home win over slumping Florida A&M, on the heels of a narrow 27-21  conference-opening loss at Norfolk State two weeks ago… Morgan has a bye  Saturday before a closing six-game stretch that includes contenders NCCU, SCSU,  A&T and DSU.

REMAINING GAMES: 10-12 BYE; 10-19 @ NCCU;  10-26 @  HOW; 11-2 HAMP; 11-9 NCA&T; 11-16 @ SCSU; 11-23 @ DSU

Florida A&M (1-4, 0-1 * 223 Sagarin)
@ The Rattlers  are the leading candidates for the league’s Most Disappointing Award right now,  having lost four straight games, including two winnable non-conference home  bouts against Tennessee State (27-7) and Samford (27-20), and last Saturday’s  34-21 loss in their conference opener at Morgan State… The FAMU Offense, has  tailed off dramatically so far, ranking last in the MEAC and 120th (of 122) in  FCS, managing a paltry 211 yards per game… The Rattlers are still alive for the  title, but face four of the leading contenders – A&T, NSU, SCSU and B-CU in  their closing seven game stretch.

REMAINING GAMES: 10-12 @ Savannah  State; 10-19 HOWARD; 10-26 NCA&T; 11-2 @ NSU; 11-9 @ SCSU; 11-16; DSU; 11-23  B-CU (Orlando).

Hampton (0-5, 0-1 * 233  Sagarin)
@ The Pirates are on the verge of being marched off the  plank of their own ship as they continue their recent struggles on the gridiron  under beleaguered coach Don Rose… Although they are just 0-1 and mathematically  still in the hunt for the league title, they have a formidable final seven games  that includes Saturday’s home bout with North Carolina A&T, next week’s road  game at Norfolk, plus a November home date with NCCU followed by a road tilt at  Bethune-Cookman.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. North Carolina A&T;  10-19 @ NSU; 10-26 DSU; 11-2 @ MORG; 11-9 NCCU; 11-16 @ B-CU; 11-23  HOWARD.

Savannah State (1-5, 0-2 * 242  Sagarin)
@ Under new management, the Tigers are no longer playful  tabby cats but have shown a renewed growl since the hiring of head coach Earnest  Wilson this summer… SSU is six points away from being 2-0 in league play, with a  24-22 home loss to Delaware State, followed by a 26-24 road heartbreaker at  Norfolk State last week… The Tigers host struggling FAMU Saturday, then tackle  B-CU, NCCU, SCSU, Howard and A&T to close the regular  season.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. FAMU; 10-19 @ B-CU; 10-26 NCCU;  11-2 SCSU; 11-9 @ HOW; 11-16 @ NCA&T

Wildcats ranked 18th/20th in latest FCS polls

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Cary White rushes for a score against FIU

Cary White rushes for a score against FIU

Bethune-Cookman head into its bye-week losing one spot in both the FCS Coaches and SportsNetwork media polls.  The Wildcats currently sit 18th and 20th respectively in the each poll.

BCU registered an impressive 3-1 mark in the month of September with out-of-conference victories over Tennessee State of the Ohio Valley Conference and Florida International from FBS’ Conference USA.  The #8 ranked Florida State Seminoles handed BCU their lone defeat.

The Wildcats have won 14 straight MEAC contests and begin conference play after the bye-week when they head to Dover to take on Delaware State on October 5th.

Coaches Poll

TEAM SCHOOL (FIRST-PLACE VOTES) RECORD POINTS PREV- IOUS
1. North Dakota State (26) 3-0 650 1
2. Towson 4-0 616 3
3. Eastern Washington 2-1 598 4
4. Sam Houston State 3-1 573 5
5. Northern Iowa 3-0 531 7
6. South Dakota State 3-1 465 6
T-7. New Hampshire 2-1 460 9
T-7. Montana 3-0 460 11
9. McNeese State 4-0 409 13
10. Montana State 2-2 402 2
11. Coastal Carolina 4-0 372 15
12. Eastern Illinois 3-1 354 10
13. Central Arkansas 2-2 326 14
14. James Madison 3-1 283 16
15. Wofford 2-2 278 8
16. Fordham 4-0 217 21
17. Lehigh 3-0 214 18
18. Bethune-Cookman 3-1 179 17
19. Cal Poly 1-2 169 19
20. Richmond 2-2 156 20
21. Villanova 1-2 155 23
22. Northern Arizona 2-1 117 22
23. Stony Brook 1-2 107 12
24. Illinois State 1-2 80 24
25. Youngstown State 3-1 47 NR

Dropped out: No. 25 Maine.

Others receiving votes: Maine 46, Tennessee-Martin 44, Gardner-Webb 35, William & Mary 27, Jacksonville State 21, Portland State 15, Southern Utah 8, Delaware 7, Tennessee State 6, Harvard 5, Chattanooga 4, Stephen F. Austin 4, Indiana State 2, North Carolina A&T 1, Sacred Heart 1.

 

Final Rant (Week 3) at FIU

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Drexler Dixon

Drexler Dixon

Shortly after Bethune-Cookman’s historic 34-13 win over Florida International on Saturday night, Golden Panthers head coach Ron Turner told his team “we got beat by a better football team because they’re more of a team than we are.” Turner neglected to mention to his guys that BCU fielded a squad just as athletic as his, they were equal if not superior in overall team speed, and the Wildcats were much more physical at the point of attack than were his Panthers. In essence, Turner should have said Bethune-Cookman was simply the better football team; no qualifiers needed.

This is our house

The Wildcats set the tone for the night in the parking lot before kickoff. No, there was no pregame dust-up between the two sides; I am referring to the deluxe-size BCU tailgate taking place in the parking lot. South Florida alumni chapters put together a homecoming worthy tailgate that covered the East parking lot with an abundance of Maroon and Gold supporters. The eyeball test suggests the stands inside the stadium were filled with an equal number of BCU and FIU fans.

A collective echo of ooohhhhhhhhs rang loudly on the first play of regulation when backup running back and special teams ace Drexler Dixon leveled FIU return man De’Andre Jasper on the game’s opening kickoff. Jasper left the field under his own power but the tone was established; BCU was dead set on playing fast, playing aggressive, and they were up for the challenge of proving they could compete with any team in the nation regardless of classification. For the next 59 and half minutes, it was BCU from the NCAA’s lower tiered Division One Football Championship Subdivision who dominated play.
The Wildcats kept the momentum rolling on their first offensive possession needing only 4 plays to drive 91 yards. Junior running back Anthony Jordan capped the drive with a 58 yard TD scamper and the Wildcats never looked back.

Around the same time as Jordan’s opening score, the slightly late arriving Marching Wildcats found their seats and begin to fill Alfonso Field with that rich, dark sound for which they have become known and FIU Stadium was unofficially rebranded as “The Wildcat Den” for the next 3 hours.

big men

Big men getting it done

Sports cliché number #117 states games are won and loss in the trenches and Saturday’s performance did nothing to dissuade this popular perception. The Wildcat offensive line paved the way for three Wildcat rushers to accumulate at least 60 yards each on the ground and a team average of 6.0 yards per attempt. My calculator tells me that’s good enough for a first down every two rushing tries. The defensive line was equally impressive limiting FIU to a pedestrian 2.2 yards per carry and just 73 yards rushing on the night. Coach Brian Jenkins stated after the game he challenged his offensive and defensive lines and based on the above-mentioned statistics, they answered the challenge pretty well.

FBS teams often enjoy their greatest level of superiority in the trenches when facing FCS opponents; so to see Bethune-Cookman’s big men not just hold up well but dominate the lines of scrimmage was a welcoming sign. Line play has been a tiresome point of criticism of HBCU squads for the better part of the last decade. Let’s hope BCU has solved this riddle as we get deeper into the season.

Take me away

Despite leading the nation in takeaways last season, BCU failed to register a turnover in week one versus Tennessee State. However, the Wildcat defense has seemed to regain their ball-hawking ways and have produced 5 takeaways in the past two games. Tim Burke’s 92 yard pick-six with 14:38 remaining in the contest ended any FIU hopes of a comeback attempt. It was BCU’s third pick-six of the season (Erik Williams and Nick Addison both returned interceptions for touchdowns in the Virginia Union game).

The Wildcats step WAY up in competition when they take on the #8 ranked Florida State Seminoles in Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night. This will be the first ever match up with the Noles.