collegefootball

Bethune-Cookman Falls Short in 41-38 Florida Classic Thriller

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Credits: Tallahassee Democrat

Bethune-Cookman Falls Short in 41-38 Florida Classic Thriller

The 2024 Florida Classic lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting matchups in HBCU football as Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M delivered a nail-biter and one of the best HBCU games of the season. Despite both teams entering the contest on two-game losing streaks, the Wildcats and Rattlers gave fans an entertaining and well-played 41-38 game that came down to the final drive and highlighted the best of this storied rivalry.

Game Summary

The game began with fireworks as FAMU’s Thad Franklin Jr. opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run on FAMU’s first possession. 

Bethune-Cookman responded quickly with an amazing 77-yard punt return TD by Maleek Huggins, tying the game at 7-7. After a FAMU field goal, the Wildcats’ defense faltered momentarily, allowing a 12-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Richardson to Jamari Gassett early in the second quarter.

Bethune-Cookman fought back with freshman sensation Dennis Palmer breaking free for a 19-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 17-14. Quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom connected with Huggins on a 56-yard bomb with time winding down in the first half, giving the Wildcats a 21-17 lead at halftime and sending the BCU faithful into a frenzy.

The third quarter saw both teams trade scores. Cade Hechter’s 43-yard field goal extended BCU’s lead to 24-17 before Franklin Jr. struck again for FAMU with a 2-yard touchdown to even the game. A late field goal by Cameron Gillis put the Rattlers ahead 27-24 entering the fourth quarter.

The final quarter was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The Wildcats lined up for a would be 47-yard game tying field goal attempt early in the 4th but unfortunately, Hecter’s attempt sailed wide left.

On FAMU’s next snap, Franklin Jr. broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown to give FAMU a 34-24 lead.

Props to Cookman for coming right back and answering with a 5 play, 59 yard drive that ended with a 1-yard Palmer  touchdown run to bring BCU within three (34-31).

After Kelvin Dean scored on an 11-yard run for FAMU (41-31), Palmer capped off his brilliant day with a 2-yard touchdown (41-38).  But it wasn’t enough, as BCU’s final drive ended on an unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt as time expired. 

Key Moments

The Wildcats had their highest scoring output of the year in Saturday’s matchup (38), but two key moments in the final quarter helped sealed Bethune-Cookman’s fate:

  1. Missed Field Goal: Cade Hechter  came up short on a 47-yard attempt with 12:21 remaining in the contest. BCU could have tied the game at 27 with a successful field goal but the kick sailed wide. The deflated defense took the field after the change of possession and gave up a 70 yard Rattler TD run on the first snap. BCU never tied or saw the lead again after that moment.
  2. Another Missed Opportunity After Turnover Late in the game: Perhaps the biggest missed opportunity of the contest came later in the fourth quarter. BCU’s defense forced a FAMU turnover with 9:32 remaining. The Wildcat offense took over with great field position at the FAMU 39 yardline; and trailed by just three points (34-31). However, the Cats couldn’t capitalize, and stalled on 4 straight run plays. It was another late game missed opportunity and one that may have cost Bethune the contest.

Bright Spots for the Wildcats

There were plenty of positives for Bethune-Cookman. Junior Maleek Huggins announced his claim as a top playmaker in the SWAC with a career day, including his 77-yard punt return touchdown and a career high 177 receiving yards. 

Freshman Dennis Palmer also showcased his potential, rushing for 178 yards and three touchdowns. These standout performances offered a glimpse into a brighter future for BCU football.

Safeties Antwone Watts and Raymond Woodie III paced the defense with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Watts also collected an interception on the evening. 

A Classic to Remember

The two teams accounted for over 900 yards of total offense and treated the fans with momentum swings throughout the contest. From BCU’s late touchdown in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 21-17 halftime lead; to FAMU scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half. The game was very memorable and a reminder of why this matchup holds such a special place in the black college football world.

Bethune-Cookman will now shift its focus to the offseason, with plenty of lessons to build on from this rollercoaster season. With emerging stars like Huggins and Palmer, the Wildcats have a foundation to be optimistic about as they aim to turn the corner in 2025.

Bethune-Cookman Football Falls Short in a Rally Against Alabama State–Where Do We Go From Here?

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Credits: ASU Athletics

Bethune-Cookman’s 2024 season took another frustrating turn in their 26-21 loss to Alabama State, dropping the Wildcats to 0-5. The game encapsulated both the ongoing struggles and potential flashes of a team in need of a breakthrough.

Game Recap 

Alabama State dominated early, especially on the ground, rushing for 308 yards on 55 attempts. The Hornets built a 26-7 lead, and by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, it felt like another routine loss for BCU. However, the Wildcats showed signs of life in the final six and a half minutes, scoring two late touchdowns to narrow the gap to 26-21. BCU even had the ball with a chance to win, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell short.

It was the second consecutive year that the Wildcats lost to the Hornets by 5 points and had a chance to win on their final offensive possession.

Despite the rally, the game was defined by BCU’s inability to contain Alabama State’s rushing attack, which consistently kept the Wildcats’ defense on its heels. Three ASU players rushed for at least 70 yards: Jamarie Hostzclaw (120), AJ Gates (74), and Daquon Kincey (71). 

On the other side of the ball, BCU’s offense  struggled for large stretches of the game, and finished the contest with just 241 yards of total offense. Two fourth quarter touchdowns on one yard touchdown plunges by Cam Ransom and Courtney Reese breathed new life into the contest. BCU’s offense regained possession on its own 25 yard line with 2:04 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the offense turned the ball over on downs after 4 straight plays and the Hornets escaped Daytona with a win. 

This game felt like a microcosm of BCU’s 2024 season so far—a team capable of brief flashes of promise but unable to sustain the level of execution needed to win. The fact that they had the ball with a chance to win speaks to their potential, but the slow start, defensive issues, and ultimately inability to make the plays needed to close out the contest reveals where this program is in their rebuild. 

Where do we go from here? That’s the question looming large over this program. There are certainly positives to take away from Saturday’s contest,  especially in the way the team fought back late in the game. But the continued inability to get stops on defense and inconsistent offensive production are glaring concerns.

From a defensive standpoint, Bama State was down to its third string, freshman quarterback. Everyone on both sides of the Mississippi knew the Hornets would heavily rely upon their rushing attack. Yet BCU just could not stop it. There is nothing more frustrating in all of sports than to know what your opponent is about to do but still be unable to stop it.  The combination of bad tackling and just plain getting moved off the line of scrimmage was unsettling for the BCU faithful.

Offensively, while the late-game surge was impressive, there was little  rhythm for the Cats throughout the contest. For the 4th time in 5 games, BCU was held under 100 yards rushing and under 300 yards of total offense. At the risk of sounding cynical,  the rules of modern football favors the offense so not amassing 300 yards of total offense in 80% of your games is beyond alarming.

So where do the Wildcats go from here with an 0-5 record, and the margin for error being razor-thin.

-Is it time for a quarterback change? Cam Ransom has played well enough under center but Luke Sprauge and Micah Bowen are different types of QBs and can perhaps add a different complexion to the offense.

-Does Coach Woodie go with a youth movement and begin preparing for next season by playing more freshmen and sophomores? Heck, True Freshman Dennis Palmer entered the game in the second half and ran the ball pretty well. He is the only true big back BCU has. Palmer was BCU’s top rusher on the evening and helped spark the late comeback effort.

-Will Coach Woodie stay the course and trust that things will start to come together knowing that the team is only one game out of first place in a wacky SWAC East?

BCU Pride

I met a young lady sitting in Section B, Row 32 who attended Saturday’s matchup. It was her first ever HBCU game or any live football game for that fact. Midway through the third quarter, I asked her her thoughts on the game and she said “this is trash”. Our guys are not doing well and they don’t seem to care”. 

Her boyfriend chimed in and said “the only entertainment is seeing what can go wrong next”. I ran into them both after the game and each had in their hands gold t-shirts they just purchased from stadium vendors which read “BCU Pride”. 

Bethune may be wading in troubled waters…heck, sometimes it feels like they may be wading through trash. But in the end, BCU Pride is worth playing for and believing in. It was at least worth believing in for the young lady and her boyfriend by the end of Saturday’s contest. Whether it’s worth playing for moving forward is totally up to the guys on the field.

I think it is and I think they will!

Bethune-Cookman at a Crossroads: Alabama State Showdown Holds the Key to the Season

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Bethune-Cookman at a Crossroads: Alabama State Showdown Holds the Key to the Season


Photo by David Campbell/Alabama State University

Bethune-Cookman football is at a pivotal moment. At the start of the season, I felt the two most important games of the year would be:  1) the game against Mercer to determine how BCU stacked up against FCS playoff caliber programs; and 2) the first SWAC matchup against Alabama State as it sets the tone for conference play.  

Well we are here now. Today’s game against Alabama State is more than just another Saturday under the sun—it’s a fork in the road that could define this season and beyond. With a win, the Wildcats will sit atop the SWAC East despite the early season struggles.  But with a loss, the downward spiral accelerates, and the voices of doubt—already echoing through the stands—will only grow louder.

The scars of last week’s stunning 37-38 defeat to Division II Clark Atlanta  are still fresh. Losing to a lower-tier SIAC opponent left the fan base reeling, and understandably so. But before we allow despair to overtake us, let’s remember that Alabama State is no stranger to stumbling against SIAC foes themselves. Last season, they fell to Miles College 17-21 and Tuskegee has been a constant thorn in their side  going 4-4 with the Hornets over the past 8 seasons.

It is a reminder that anything can happen on any given Saturday.

A win today won’t just change the standings in the SWAC; it could change the narrative for Bethune-Cookman Football.  For a team that has struggled to gain momentum, today is the opportunity to breathe new life into this season. A victory today  would be a symbol of resilience, a statement that this team still has fight left. For a fan base that has had little to celebrate in recent years, it would be the jolt of hope we so desperately need.

Keys to Victory

1. Defensive Discipline– Bethune-Cookman’s defense must rebound from the alarming trend of allowing big plays. Alabama State is not a quick strike offense so the Wildcats cannot afford to give up scores based on missed assignments and/or alignment issues. 

2. Contain the Run– Alabama State’s offense thrives on establishing the ground game. The Wildcats’ front seven needs to plug gaps, force third-and-long situations, and limit explosive rushes. If they can slow down Alabama State’s run game, BCU has a chance to control the tempo.

3. Capitalize on Turnovers – In a game of this magnitude that is expected to be low scoring, turnover margin will likely be the difference. BCU needs to force mistakes, and more importantly, capitalize on them with points. Turnovers give the defense a rest and provide short fields for the offense to operate. For those same reasons, the Cats need to limit turnovers.

What a Win Would Mean

A win today would mean…well…EVERYTHING. It would show that Coach Woodie and his guys are capable of bouncing back from adversity and that they can compete within the SWAC. A victory puts BCU at the top of the SWAC East. The confidence boost alone would be immense for a squad that has been battered by  doubt.

Winning today means silencing the “boo birds” and showing the rest of the SWAC that Bethune-Cookman is still a program to be reckoned with.

But if the Wildcats fall short, the frustration will grow, and the climb back will become steeper. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Today is a chance for redemption; and in just a few hours, we will see “who will ascend to the top of the mountain”.

What the Heck: From 24 Points Up to Crushing Defeat–BCU vs. Clark Atlanta Recap

/ J Bell / 1 Comment
Credits: Nigel Cook/News Journal

What the Heck: From 24 Points Up to Crushing Defeat–BCU vs. Clark Atlanta Recap

Embarrassed. Pissed. Frustrated. Devastated. Apoplectic. 

After three days of processing, grieving, giving and receiving emotional support hugs; I think I am finally ready to talk about this past Saturday’s loss to Clark Atlanta so here goes. I am….

Embarrassed. Pissed. Frustrated. Devastated. Apoplectic. And I ain’t the only one. 

Bethune-Cookman fans have spent the past few days asking “what the heck (WTH)”. Well, I have asked what the heck. Many Wildcat fans have substituted heck with more colorful language when contemplating BCU’s unthinkable collapse this weekend. 

This isn’t the first time Wildcat fans have been stunned by a huge upset loss. In 2009, Coach Alvin “Shine” Wyatt’s squad fell 9-20 to Division II Shaw University. But we knew Coach Wyatt committed to a youth movement at that time and was prepping for the future and providing valuable snaps to future BCU legends like Ryan Davis, Ryan Lewis, and Reggie Sandilands who were all young players at the time. 

The 2016 loss to Savannah State was a WTH moment too but even then, SSU was a FCS program and Terry Sims’ squad was missing 16 starters due to injury when they lost that game.

Saturday’s loss just felt different. BCU blew a 24-point lead to Division II Clark Atlanta and lost 37-38 in a game that can only be described as embarrassing and borderline unforgivable. The Wildcats came into this matchup hoping for a confidence-boosting victory but left with their heads hanging low, and now staring down four straight losses as SWAC play looms.

To give credit where it’s due, Clark Atlanta Head Coach Teddy Keaton and his staff deserve all the praise for their team’s preparation and resilience. Keaton’s men orchestrated an amazing come from behind upset,  and played Bethune-Cookman off the field in the second half. His players, many of whom hail from the State of Florida, and who according to Coach Keaton were grossly overlooked in the recruiting process, proved they belonged on the same field as their FCS counterparts.

Clark Atlanta’s quarterback David Wright III and wide receiver Armone Harris grew up together and were teammates at Tampa Bay Tech. Wide Receiver  Jamal Jones played on the same high school team as BCU quarterback Cam Ransom. By night’s end, Wright finished the game 30/49 for 374 yards passing and  4 touchdowns, Harris hauled in 6 catches for 94 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Jones finished with a game high 10 receptions for 127 yards. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but hats off to Coach Keaton and his players for a remarkable effort.

As for the Wildcats, this loss is hard to sugarcoat. Surrendering a 24-point lead to a lower-tier Division II opponent  is an issue unto itself. That would be enough to make your head spin but it borders on the absurd when you consider the Wildcats:

  • surrendered 3 scoring drives of 98 yards or more in the contest; including a 99 yard scoring drive that ended with a 55 yard Leonardo Cabrera field goal as time expired;
  • the offense had minus 6 yards rushing in the second half and managed to score just three points after halftime;
  • the 12 penalties for 117 yards including a few unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that extended drives. Yes, one of those unsportsmanlike penalties set the Panthers up for the game winner;
  • the two loss fumbles.

As I said earlier…WTH? What kind of strange hoodoo is plaguing our favorite team? 

Fans have overrun social media with questions about the team’s mental toughness, concerns about coaching, discipline, and execution. After four straight losses, including this devastating one, how can you blame them? These are fair questions at this point. Yes, it was an embarrassing loss. Yes, Clark Atlanta made the better coaching adjustments over the course of the games. Yes, the Wildcats were outplayed for the last two and a half quarters. 

But having said all of that, it is far too early  in the season and too soon  in Raymond Woodie Jr,’s head coaching career to dismiss  this team and/or coaching staff. 

Coach Woodie and his staff have a lot to figure out this week. Whether it’s scheming better on defense, getting more consistency from their offense, eliminating self-inflicted mistakes, or simply  instilling some belief in this battered team. What’s clear is that something has to change. That’s for dang sure. I won’t begin to pretend that I have any answers; what I do know is something has to change and change quickly.

The road doesn’t get any easier from here, but the Wildcats still have a chance to make something of their season. Alabama State roll into town this Saturday. If BCU finds a way to win this contest, they exit Saturday sitting  atop the SWAC East Standings and everything is just fine. However, if they lose to the Hornets; they will have to relive the Clark loss all over again. And the Mercer loss. And the 8 losses from last year. And the 9 from the season before. You get the point. Losing begets losing and in many ways, that’s the greatest hurdle for this team right now. 

They just don’t know how to win.

Since Woodie’s arrival, BCU often find themselves in a position to win games. But as coach expressed again on Saturday, “they just have to find a way to finish.”

It’s almost as if the guys can taste victory so they just start pressing a little too hard.  A dropped pass here. A fumble there. Sprinkle in a few blown coverages and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and BAM; you’re staring 0-4 in the face. 

On a positive note, all of these things are correctable and within your control. 

Another positive to take away from Saturday’s contest is BCU’s offense easily had their best game of the season racking up season highs in total yards (477), passing yards (382), and points (37). Most of this production occurred in the first half where BCU scored on all five of its possessions. The offensive production gives you something to build on and feel good about moving forward.

SWAC play begins this week and presents an opportunity for redemption, but only if Bethune-Cookman can find answers quickly. Let’s pray that they do because I want to leave Daytona Stadium with that “Old BC Spirit” and not the WTH spirit if you know what I mean.