Big Bama State Bullies Bethune: Tough Lesson in the Gump

October 6, 2025October 7, 2025 / J Bell / 2 Comments

Big Bama State Bullies Bethune: A Tough Lesson in the Gump

For about 12 glorious seconds, it looked like Bethune-Cookman was about to ruin Alabama State’s homecoming.

On the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage, Cam Ransom dropped back, spotted Maleek Huggins on a deep crosser, and hit him in stride for an 85-yard touchdown. One play. Twelve seconds. Six points.

Maleek Huggins celebrates 85 yard TD reception

The Wildcats scored on their first offensive play of the game for the second week in a row. Things were looking up. The vibe of pulling an upset had the guys from the Church School on Da Beach feeling pretty good.

But then… the Big Bama Bullies showed up.

Alabama State answered with four straight scoring drives and never looked back, bullying Bethune 52–35 in a game that reminded everyone just how good this Hornets team is.

The Reality Check

This one stung for sure. However, it also came with a clear message. This Alabama State program is where Bethune-Cookman aspires to be. It is among the elite in HBCU football.

The Hornets are averaging 40.6 points per game on offense including dropping 42 on FBS foe UAB this season. They are without question one of the best teams in HBCU football right now.

So losing to ASU is nothing to be ashamed of. You just have to tip your cap and realize that the guys from “The Gump” have dudes on scholarship too. They are a little further along in their building process than BCU.

Speaking of dudes, there are not very many playing better than quarterback Andrew Body through the midpoint of the season. Body had another brilliant game going 11 for 17 for 171 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. He added 95 yards rushing. He was a type of “get out of jail free card” anytime the Wildcats put ASU under any sort of duress.

Too many miscues

It’s hard to win games against good teams with players like Body when you play perfectly. It is nearly impossible to beat these kind of teams when you don’t help yourself by executing cleanly. BCU had too many miscues to position themselves for an upset.

-A missed 4th-down throw early in the contest.

-A careless fumble in the second quarter.

-A missed field goal later that quarter.

-An ill-advised interception in the third.

-And tackling? Let’s just say it was very poor all game.

Defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly’s unit never quite found an answer for Body and the ASU offense. The Hornets’ exploded for 560-yards. Of those, 389 came on the ground for a whopping 10 yards per carry.

Ouch. That is not a typo. BCU gave up almost 400 yards rushing and 10 yards per carry.

Nothing in football stings worse than watching another team run the ball down your throat. And you better believe every SWAC offensive coordinator took notes.

The Bright Side

Now, before you stop reading and start yelling… breathe.

There were still plenty of positives.

BCU’s offense continues to ball out. The Wildcats posted 569 total yards and 35 points against one of the best defenses in the conference. That’s the 4th straight game the offense has scored at least 35 points. And for anyone ready to slap the “garbage time” label on those stats, consider this: BCU piled up 309 yards in the first half alone.

Maleek Huggins (7 catches, 132 yards, 2 TDs) and Javon Ross (9 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD) had over 130 receiving yards each.

Javon “Bon-Bon” Ross has big day against ASU

Running back Ali Scott added 100 “grown man” yards on the ground running over about six Hornet defenders in the process.

When Cam Ransom went down with a leg injury in the second quarter, Timmy McClain stepped in and handled business completing 73.5% of his passes for 266 yards. The senior from Sanford accounted for 4 touchdowns (2 passing and 2 rushing). McClain’s performance should give fans confidence in the depth of BCU’s QB room.

Perspective and Progress

The Wildcats exited the game with their egos bruised but this game was part of the process. The growing pains are real, but it is still growth.

BCU’s offense is electric and can hang with anybody in the HBCU landscape. The defense, though, is still learning what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the upper echelon programs like Alabama State and South Carolina State.

These are the games that teach you about where your program is and what needs to improve. They highlight your strengths, expose your weaknesses, and prepare you for the next step.

And that next step?

It comes this weekend when Southern University visits Daytona Beach for the first time ever. Our Wildcats will be looking for the first win in program history over the Jaguars. Southern leads the series 7 games to none but escaped last year’s matchup by just 2 points in five overtimes. A BCU win would keep them undefeated on home soil this season. It would also eclipse last year’s win total with 5 games remaining.

So, Wildcat Nation, lick your wounds but keep your heads high. The Maroon and Gold look to bounce back and keep the rebuild on track.

Statistic	BCU	ASU
First Downs
Total	33	25
Rushing	12	16
Passing	17	8
Penalty	4	1
Rushing
Total (Net)	207	388
Attempts	42	40
Avg. Per Rush	4.9	9.7
Rushing TDs	2	5
Yds. Gained	242	392
Yds. Lost	35	4
Passing
Total (Net)	362	171
Comp.-Att.-Int.	27–41–1	11-16-0
Avg. / Att.	8.8	10.7
Avg. / Comp.	13.4	15.5
TDs	3	2
Total Offense
Yards	569	559
Plays	83	56
Avg. / Play	6.9	10
Fumbles – Lost	2–1	0-0
Penalties – Yds.	4-37	7–73
Punting
Punts – Yds.	2-78	3–112
Avg. / Punt	39	37.3
Inside 20	0	1
50+ Yds.	0	0
Touchbacks	0	0
Fair Catch	0	2
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.	6-324	9–561
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff	54.0	62.3
Touchbacks	0	2
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs	0-0-0	0-0-0
Punt: Avg. / Return	0	0
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs	7–137-0	5-43-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return	19.6	8.6
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs	0-0-0	1–18-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs	0-0-0	0-0-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards	0	0
Poss. Time	33:59	26:01
3rd. Down Conv.	5 of 10	2 of 6
4th. Down Conversions	1 of 2	0 of 0
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances	4-4	5–5
Sacks: Total – Yds.	1-2	2–13
PAT: Total – Made	5-5	7–7
2PT Conversion: Total – Made	0-0	0-0
Field Goals: Total – Made	0-1	1-1

Qtr	Time	Scoring Play	BCU	ASU
1st	14:44	BCU – Huggins,Maleek 85 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 1 plays, 85 yards, TOP 00:12	7	0
1st	09:39	ASU – Harden,Derick 13 yd pass from Body,Andrew (Abu-Akel,Andrew kick) 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 04:59	7	7
1st	03:49	ASU – Abu-Akel,Andrew 40 yd field goal 7 plays, 29 yards, TOP 03:08	7	10
1st	01:11	ASU – Hostzclaw,Jamarie 10 yd run (Abu-Akel,Andrew kick), 4 plays, 70 yards, TOP 01:33	7	17
2nd	13:08	ASU – Ligon,Karl 2 yd run (Abu-Akel,Andrew kick), 3 plays, 35 yards, TOP 01:00	7	24
2nd	01:56	BCU – Huggins,Maleek 4 yd pass from McClain,Timmy (Dominguez,Juan kick) 10 plays, 88 yards, TOP 04:21	14	24
2nd	01:36	ASU – Jones,Jalen 30 yd pass from Body,Andrew (Abu-Akel,Andrew kick) 2 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:20	14	31
3rd	12:13	ASU – Ligon,Karl 2 yd run (Abu-Akel,Andrew kick), 6 plays, 81 yards, TOP 02:42	14	38
3rd	06:20	ASU – Kuykendall,Jahbari 48 yd run (Abu-Akel,Andrew kick), 5 plays, 89 yards, TOP 01:58	14	45
3rd	02:16	BCU – McClain,Timmy 1 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:04	21	45
4th	13:31	ASU – Harris II,Marcus 1 yd run (Gilliam,Brandon kick), 7 plays, 77 yards, TOP 03:36	21	52
4th	06:26	BCU – McClain,Timmy 1 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 14 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:57	28	52
4th	01:19	BCU – Ross,Javon 20 yd pass from McClain,Timmy (Dominguez,Juan kick) 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 02:44	35	52
			35	52

We Can Get Used to This – Wildcats Secure First SWAC Win 41-34 over Bulldogs

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 / J Bell / Leave a comment

We Can Get Used to This

Daytona Stadium is starting to feel a little different these days. It’s a little louder, a little bit more lively, and dare I say it…filled with a lot more hope as Bethune-Cookman has strung together back-to-back home wins. The Wildcats are giving their fans something they haven’t truly experienced in years: a reason to believe.

Last week’s victory over Edward Waters felt more like relief. The same with last year’s home win over Grambling State. But Saturday’s win over Alabama A&M just felt different.

-That was an excellent football game against a good, well-coached A&M team.

-That was a game that sparked a lot of pride among the fans.

-That ladies and gentlemen was Wildcat football.

A Well-Played Game from Start to Finish

From the opening whistle, BCU looked sharp, well-prepared, and confident. They looked like a good football program to say it bluntly. They asserted themselves early and repeatedly against a quality SWAC opponent. They also showed just how far this squad has progressed since game one this season. Was it perfect? Nah, not even close but it was the kind of well-rounded performance that sets a tone for the weeks ahead.

When in doubt, give the ball to “Bon-Bon”

Sophomore receiver Javon “Bon-Bon” Ross had himself a game. The Deland native, nicknamed Bon-Bon by his grandmother, electrified the crowd with a breakout performance that was hard to ignore.

On the Wildcats’ very first offensive play, quarterback Cam Ransom uncorked a 79-yard bomb. It dropped perfectly into Ross’s hands and he did the rest by outrunning the defenders on his way to the endzone. On BCU’s next possession, Ross added a 41-yard touchdown run after taking a reverse to the house. Two touchdowns for Ross scored in two different ways. The fanbase now knows what the locals have known for a while…good things happen when you give the ball to Bon-Bon.

The Playmakers Keep Rising

Ross wasn’t the only local product shining on Saturday. True freshman running back Khamani Robinson continues to prove that the moment isn’t too big for him. Robinson scored BCU’s third touchdown on a 24 yard scamper giving the Cats the lead at halftime.

And then there’s Cam Ransom. Each week, he keeps getting better and right now, it’s hard to find any HBCU quarterback who is playing better. His command of the offense, his efficiency, and his growing chemistry with playmakers like Ross and Rickie Shaw, Maleek Huggins, Lorenzo Jenkins and others are changing the Wildcats’ offensive identity right before our eyes.

The Fans are Starting to Believe Too

Shoutout to the fans who showed up Saturday. The threat of rainstorms seemed to have kept a few people away. However, those who decided to attend were treated to a great HBCU experience. Not only did they witness BCU’s best overall performance in years, but they also enjoyed a SWAC Band Battle.

Daytona Stadium hosted an opposing SWAC band for the first time since BCU joined the conference. Alabama A&M’s Marching Maroon and White (MMW) made the trip to “Da Beach”. After speaking with many in attendance, the MMW headed back to Huntsville with a slew of new fans. The MMW are wecolmed back anytime.

BCU’s Marching Wildcats did what they always do…they “showed up and showed out”. Give AAMU’s band the edge in song selection and repertoire, but the Pride delivered in execution and overall sound quality. In the end, both bands represented well and it was the fans who were the biggest winners.

𝘿𝙊𝙉'𝙏 𝙄𝙏 𝙁𝙀𝙀𝙇 𝙂𝙊𝙊𝘿 𝙏𝙊 𝙒𝙄𝙉?

Happy Victory Sunday! 😼 #𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙨 | #𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 pic.twitter.com/T9W5hhCTxJ
— 🏈 Bethune-Cookman Football (@BCUGridiron) September 28, 2025

A Shift in the Air

It was great seeing the vibe in the stands all game. The bands helped with the atmosphere and the weather held off for the most part, but it was about more than the good bands and decent weather. The fans were active, engaged, and for the first time in a long time, anxiety-free. Cookman fans regained a bit of their mojo. They actually expected something good to happen, rather than waiting on disaster. Even after the game, I heard from at least a dozen fans. They all echoed the same sentiment…this was the best they had felt after a BCU game in years.

The excitement was palpable and the hope was contagious. You could see it in the way the team responded to mistakes. They didn’t allow miscues to beat them twice. Instead, they corrected them and overcame them in real time.

You could see it in the way the fans cheered…a little louder and a little longer.

And most importantly, you saw it on the scoreboard; Wildcats 41, Bulldogs 34.

I like this feeling. Heck, we all like this feeling. And judging by the team’s growing confidence, we may get to share this feeling a little more often and that’s something we can get used to.

Statistic	AAM	BCU
First Downs
Total	22	25
Rushing	6	14
Passing	14	10
Penalty	2	1
Rushing
Total (Net)	125	259
Attempts	32	35
Avg. Per Rush	3.9	7.4
Rushing TDs	1	4
Yds. Gained	133	266
Yds. Lost	8	7
Passing
Total (Net)	355	257
Comp.-Att.-Int.	27–41-1	18-25-2
Avg. / Att.	8.7	10.3
Avg. / Comp.	13.1	14.3
TDs	3	2
Total Offense
Yards	480	516
Plays	73	60
Avg. / Play	6.6	8.6
Fumbles – Lost	1–1	0-0
Penalties – Yds.	4-50	6–61
Punting
Punts – Yds.	2-75	3–131
Avg. / Punt	37.5	43.7
Inside 20	1	0
50+ Yds.	0	1
Touchbacks	0	1
Fair Catch	0	0
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.	7-368	7-435
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff	52.6	62.1
Touchbacks	1	2
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs	2–16-0	0-0-0
Punt: Avg. / Return	8.0	0
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs	5-111-0	6-68-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return	22.2	11.3
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs	2-0-0	1-0-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs	0-0-0	0-0-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards	0	0
Poss. Time	31:59	28:01
3rd. Down Conv.	11 of 18	8 of 11
4th. Down Conversions	3 of 3	0 of 0
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances	3–3	1-1
Sacks: Total – Yds.	0-0	2–4
PAT: Total – Made	4-4	5–6
2PT Conversion: Total – Made	0-0	0-0
Field Goals: Total – Made	2–2	0-0

Qtr	Time	Scoring Play	AAM	BCU
1st	09:35	AAM – Faulk,David 45 yd field goal 11 plays, 53 yards, TOP 05:21	3	0
1st	09:20	BCU – Ross,Javon 79 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 1 plays, 79 yards, TOP 00:11	3	7
1st	01:27	AAM – Nero,Kolton 2 yd run (Faulk,David kick), 4 plays, 62 yards, TOP 01:43	10	7
2nd	13:38	BCU – Ross,Javon 41 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 7 plays, 83 yards, TOP 02:44	10	14
2nd	08:41	AAM – Pierre,Franck 72 yd pass from Handley,Eric (Faulk,David kick) 4 plays, 83 yards, TOP 01:10	17	14
2nd	01:18	BCU – Robinson,Khamani 24 yd run ( ), 14 plays, 83 yards, TOP 07:19	17	20
2nd	00:08	BCU – Shaw II,Rickie 27 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 7 plays, 63 yards, TOP 00:54	17	27
3rd	11:31	AAM – Pierre,Franck 32 yd pass from Handley,Eric (Faulk,David kick) 3 plays, 58 yards, TOP 00:57	24	27
3rd	10:18	BCU – Scott Jr.,Alihaja 8 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 3 plays, 69 yards, TOP 01:07	24	34
3rd	03:44	AAM – Abner,Travaunta 1 yd pass from Handley,Eric (Faulk,David kick) 12 plays, 59 yards, TOP 06:25	31	34
4th	05:58	AAM – Faulk,David 19 yd field goal 15 plays, 57 yards, TOP 06:44	34	34
4th	01:07	BCU – Scott Jr.,Alihaja 26 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 04:44	34	41
			34	41

Preview: BCU at South Carolina State; Sneaky Good or One-Sided 🤔

September 12, 2025September 12, 2025 / J Bell / 1 Comment

If you ask most HBCU fans to circle the big games this weekend, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone pointing to Bethune-Cookman vs. South Carolina State. And honestly—why would they?

South Carolina State is the defending MEAC champ, sitting at 1-1 currently, and looking set to defend their crown. Bethune-Cookman, on the other hand, hasn’t factored into many meaningful contests recently and have been on the butt end of a couple of whoppings the past two weeks.

On paper, this looks like a mismatch. But call me crazy, something tells me this could be a sneaky good game this weekend.

call me crazy, something tells me this could be a sneaky good game this weekend.
J Bell – HailWildcats.com

Maybe that’s the Wildcat fanatic in me talking…Probably is.

Maybe I’m still holding on to the luster of yesteryear when the BCU vs SCSU matchup carried the intensity of a prizefight when the two were MEAC heavyweights.

Or maybe—just maybe—it’s because history says these two programs rarely give us a dud on the gridiron.

Series Split over last 10 games

The series is split at 5 wins and 5 losses apiece over the past 10 matchups. It’s split 11 wins and 9 losses in favor of the Bulldogs over the past 20.

So despite the difference in expectations for these squads, the back-and-forth series record shows you don’t sleep on this rivalry; even when the Wildcats look down.

What to Expect Saturday

Here is Coach Woodie and the Wildcats’ chance to make an announcement to the HBCU world; and SCSU is the perfect opponent to do it against. Don’t expect the same watered-down schemes we’ve seen through Weeks 1 and 2 against BCU’s FBS opponents.

On Defense: Expect more blitz packages, more disruption, and more variations in coverages.

On Offense: Look for much more tempo, more creativity, more quarterback run, and more getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers quickly.

I’m NOT predicting a BCU upset but that’s not out of the question either. What I am predicting is the type of Dog and Cat fight that has made this series very competitive.
J Bell – HailWildcats.com

Let me be clear, I’m NOT predicting a BCU upset but that’s not out of the question either. What I am predicting is the type of Dog and Cat fight that has made this series very competitive and my favorite on the field matchup for BCU. And who knows, if things break right…well, let’s just say if things break right, it will be hard to shut me up next week.

Yeah, I know I’m crazy. I know how that sounds. I guess I will see y’all in Orangeburg.

Hail Wildcats!

Opportunity Season: The Road Back Starts Here

August 5, 2025August 8, 2025 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Sports has a way of giving us all kinds of sayings when the pressure’s on.

“Barbecue or mildew.”

“Put up or shut up.”

“Hunt or be hunted.”

“Run with the big dogs or stay on the porch.”

You’ve heard them. We all have. They’re different ways of saying the same thing: it’s time to deliver.

But for the 2025 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, no catchphrase is really needed this time around.

It’s just the simple reality of new season, new opportunity.

After all, BCU is coming off the roughest four-year stretch in its 100-year history.

But isn’t that what we love about new seasons? It’s a reset. A chance to change the narrative. And while it may be difficult to believe from the outside, there are reasons to feel optimistic about the 2025 campaign.

🏆 A Legacy Worth Fighting For

Bethune-Cookman boasts a proud football tradition with a resume stacked with decades of wins, championships, and pro-level pedigree. The Wildcats are:

Top 25 in FCS All-Time Winning Percentage with an all-time record of 510–351–27 (.590). That’s good enough for seventh all time amongst HBCUs.
5 Conference Titles over the past 20 years and 14 Conference Titles overall.
4 claimed Black College National Championships.
A NFL Hall of Famer in Larry Little. A Buck Buchanan Award winner in Rashean Mathis. Several NFL All-Pros, Pro- Bowlers, etc.

Bottomline, there is a ton of heritage attached to this BCU football program.

😔 A Historic Low Point

While Cookman has a ton of history to celebrate on the gridiron, we can’t pretend that the past four seasons have not been difficult for the maroon and gold. The Wildcats suffered 2–9 seasons in 2021 and 2022, a 3-8 season in 2023, and a 2–10 finish in 2024. The nine wins over the past four years represent the worst 4-year run in the program’s 100 years of playing tackle football as mentioned previously.

🔥 Why 2025 Could Be the Barbecue Season (No, Really)

Entering his third season, Coach Raymond Woodie Jr’s positive impact is being felt off the field.

Team GPA has risen from 2.4 to 3.25.
19 players earned 4.0 GPAs last season.
The team was removed from NCAA mandated practice time restrictions due to Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties.
New on-campus locker room. ✅. New showers. ✅. New facility upgrades. Underway.

These are all positives happening within the program and worth celebrating. But let’s take a look at why 2025 has a chance to be different ON THE FIELD.

🔁 Experience Returning

The 2025 version of the Bethune-Cookman football team is easily the most experienced team of the Raymond Woodie era. Heck, for the first time in 3 years, they actually had enough players to host a traditional Spring game.

Offense

Team continuity is a precious commodity in the current transfer portal era. Fortunately for Bethune, nine starters return on offense alone. That’s not to say that BCU was not impacted by the portal on offense. In fact, last year’s leading rusher, running back Dennis Palmer, and second leading receiver tight end Thomas Nance, transferred to FBS programs Troy and Temple respectively.

Beyond that, all other starters return on the offensive side of the ball. That’s HUGE!

QB Cam Ransom completed over 62% of his pass attempts last year throwing for 1843 yards and 11 touchdowns in the process. The big left hander from Lakeland was named to the Preseason All-SWAC 2nd Team. Ransom has the arm, the legs, and the poise to give BCU a chance on every snap. Transfers Tim McClain (Arkansas State) and Amari Jones (Florida International) are expected to push Ransom for snaps and provide the Wildcats with three top notch signal callers.

WR Malik Huggins is another Preseason All-SWAC 2nd Teamer. Huggins is dangerous in both the return game and in the slot. A six-yard slant can quickly become a 60-yard see-ya once Huggins gets his hands on the ball. Fellow slot receiver Javon Ross, had an incredible Spring and seems poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Pitt transfer Lorenzo Jenkins showed what he can do outside the numbers last season. Add all of that up, throw in a handful of newcomers who are expected to contribute right away and BCU has quietly put together one of the better wide receiver rooms in the SWAC.

O-Line: The entire starting group is back and anchored by freshman All-American Teko Shoats. This group got better as they got younger last season which is a crazy statement. Bethune finished 2024 with 3 true freshmen starting on the offensive line in the last few games. Ironically, the offense performed its best during that same span. The unit was bolstered in the offseason by getting a few guys healthy again, as well as adding new faces via the portal and on national signing day. Let’s see if the Wildcats can make the next leap forward as a collective unit in the trenches. If they can, watch out!

Defense

Seven starters return on defense. AJ Hall anchors the front seven from his defensive tackle position. Hall is yet another All-SWAC performer who will be joined by Preseason All-SWAC LB, Malik Stinnett and last year’s All-SWAC Preseason linebacker, Dearis Thomas, who spent the last 10 games of 2024 nursing an injury.

BCU suffered far more attrition to the portal on the defensive side of the ball losing 4 linemen and a linebacker to FBS and FCS schools alike. That means the newcomers in the front seven will have to produce right away to help offset these losses.

🗺️ The 2025 Roadmap

The Wildcats start the year on the road to face 3 of their 4 toughest opponents: at FIU, at Miami, and at South Carolina State respectively.

The non-conference slate wraps up on September 20th when a Brian Jenkins led Edward Waters visits Daytona Stadium for the first home game of the year.

The final 8 games are all against SWAC opponents. The home matchups include Alabama A&M (9/27), Southern (10/11), UAPB (10/25 homecoming), and MSVS (11/1).

BCU visits ASU (10/4), Grambling (11/8), JSU (11/15), and that school from one of those hills in Tallahassee on (11/22) in Orlando for the Florida Classic.

💥 The Case for BCU in 2025

Bethune lost 4 conference games a season ago by a combined 13 points. That’s painful. To add insult to injury, the Wildcats had the ball with a chance to win on the final possession in all 4 of those games. 2025 will look different if BCU can find a way to start winning the close games; or as Coach Woodie often says, “they have to finish”.

We expect the offense to be better; but how much better can they be is the real question yet to be answered.

The glass half empty crowd will point to the fact that the offense ranked in the bottom third of the conference in most major offensive metrics last year. The most important of which was 11th in points per game at a mere 20.2.

The glass half full crew understands that the current unit is more established, more experienced, and has more depth. We think the offense will need to be at least a 7-8 points better per game if they are to secure their first winning season in 5 years. That’s a huge number for sure but 27 points per game in modern college football is a more than reasonable expectation for winning squads.

On the defensive side of things, Coach Woodie has to hope that his unit performs closer to the way they did in his first season in 2023. That year, they finished 2nd in FCS in tackles for loss with 7.8 per game and gave up around 26 ppg.

If the season kicked off tomorrow, the Wildcats would be more than a one score underdog in 4 games (FIU, Miami, SC State, and Jackson State); they would likely be favored in 3 games (Edward Waters, UAPB, and MSVS); and the other 5 would likely be games under a one touchdown scoreline which we are considering toss up games (AAMU, ASU, SU, GSU, and FAMU). The straightest path to a .500 or better season is to win the games you’re favored in, and win more of the toss up games than you lose. That alone gets you to 6 wins if our point spread assumptions are true. If they can pull an upset or two or win a few more toss up games, now you’re talking a 7 or 8 win season. I think that would be a fully successful season in year 3 for Coach Woodie.

The good news is we won’t have to guess and “what-if” for much longer. We will soon get our answer as to whether the 2025 Wildcats will “barbecue or mildew”, “hunt or be hunted”, “run with the big dogs”… Like I said, you get the point.

Top 5 Storylines for Bethune-Cookman Football on National Signing Day 2025

February 4, 2025 / J Bell / Leave a comment

National Signing Day (NSD) was once a holy day for college football junkies. The first Wednesday in February meant all eyes were fixed on hat ceremonies, ESPN, team websites, and last-minute surprises. Boosters and administrators would often cap the day with Signing Day Bashes, schedule reveals, and unbridled optimism about the future of their program. However, with the advent of the early signing period in December and the ever-chaotic transfer portal, February’s NSD has become an afterthought for many fans; and optimism has been replaced with a more cautious disposition.

But for the thousands of high school players putting pen to paper, this day is life-changing. It’s a defining moment for the young men officially joining college programs and for those who won’t receive the opportunity, forcing them to redefine their futures outside of football.

This year’s signing day for Bethune-Cookman is about filling gaps, reestablishing a winning culture, and adding depth to a roster that return 9 starters on offense—including 2nd Team All-SWAC RB Dennis Palmer, emerging true freshman OL standout Teko Shoats, and QB Cam Ransom who finished third in the SWAC in passing this past season. The Wildcats return 7 defensive starters as well.

With that in mind, here are the five most compelling storylines we’ll be following for BCU’s 2025 National Signing Day:

1. The Linebacker Situation

The Wildcats’ defense struggled to get off the field in key moments last season, and linebacker play was a major part of the equation. Will BCU add high-impact players at this position? Will they lean on transfers or high school signees? This will be a must-watch area of recruitment.

2. Cornerback Help

Bethune-Cookman’s secondary had its moments last season but lost its top cover man Andrew Volmer to graduation. The Wildcats need reinforcements at CB, whether through the portal or a few high-upside freshmen.

3. Beefing Up the Offensive Line

The offense brings back talent at the skill positions, but success will start in the trenches. The Wildcats return four starters on the offensive line including Teko Shoats, but a) how much depth do they have; and b) can they take the next step in improving their offensive output? Look for BCU to add multiple offensive linemen in this class.

4. The Shock Signee or Instant Impact Player

Every year a signing class has one player who turns heads—whether it’s a late addition, a highly rated recruit, or a transfer expected to make an immediate difference. Will BCU land an impact player on NSD?

5. Where Do Former BCU Players in the Portal Land?

The transfer portal has changed the game, and BCU has lost players to it. Ejike Brown and Ebenezer Dibula come to mind. Both were significant contributors along the defensive line in 2024 but opted for the portal. We hope they land somewhere and find success at their new programs. Best of luck to all of the former Wildcat student-athletes in the portal.

With these storylines in play, National Signing Day may not be what it once was, but for Bethune-Cookman, it remains a crucial step toward building a better football team. Stay locked in as we break it all down.

#HailWildcats

November Pressure Cooker: Why the Next Month Could Shape the Next Few Years of Bethune-Cookman Football

October 31, 2024 / J Bell / 1 Comment

November Pressure Cooker: Why the Next Month Could Shape the Next Few Years of Bethune-Cookman Football

Bethune-Cookman football is entering a defining chapter, as November stands to be an evaluation and culture-shaping month that could impact the program for years to come.

The little private school on “Da Beach”, who thrives on overcoming obstacles and doing more with less, is facing one of the toughest stretches in its 101-year history of playing football. In fact, you would have to look back almost 40 years to find a low point even close to what Wildcat fans have witnessed over the past 4 seasons.

This article will try to highlight why the next four games represent not only an opportunity for redemption for the current coaching staff and squad; but a potential beachhead from which the Wildcats can launch as they attempt to ascend to the top of the mountain that is HBCU football.

A Historic Struggle with Consequences

The Wildcats are spiraling in one of the worst four-year runs that Bethune-Cookman football has ever endured and everyone feels the weight of this moment. The stakes are higher than ever for the coaching staff to chart a new course and improve on its 1-7 record.

A former Bethune-Cookman football player recently shared some valuable insight with me. He pointed out that this season’s lineup of games offers some uniquely relevant comparisons. BCU has played or will play 10 games this year against SWAC, FCS, and Division II competition. 8 of those 10 matchups will be against teams with first- or second-year head coaches. When you consider Coach Raymond Woodie Jr. is in his second year, it presents a fair basis for comparison to measure the development and progression of this year’s Bethune-Cookman team against those other squads with first and second year guys.

Reasonable conclusions can be drawn when you consider the shared realities between BCU and so much of its competition this season. To take it a step further, it would be irresponsible to not have reasonable expectations or hold this program accountable for their performances when the like for like comparisons are so abundant.

The Revenue Angle

Despite BCU’s lackluster on-field performance, the program isn’t operating without resources. Could things be better…well course. Could they be worse? That’s also true. But this current team has the luxury of a brand new on-campus artificial turf practice field. They have a new on-campus locker room. And they have access to the same on-campus grass practice field that Wesley Moore, Alvin Wyatt, and Brian Jenkins’ championship teams practiced on.

According to the July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 EADA report, BCU’s athletic department generated $13,636,502 in revenue. This figure is the fifth-highest in the SWAC and trailed only Southern, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M during the same timeframe. The financial report at least suggests that there are enough raw resources to work with to be competitive.

This is especially true when comparing BCU to fellow SWAC programs like Jackson State ($12,821,652) and Florida A&M ($13,172,315), and even MEAC powerhouses like North Carolina Central ($11,339, 477) and South Carolina State ($13,271,355) —all of whom generated less revenue during the same timeframe but achieved better results on the field.

When analyzing Bethune-Cookman’s 2024 EADA, the overall department revenue dropped precipitously from the year prior. Football specific expenses dropped from $5,270,780 in 2023 to $4,683,961 in 2024 which represents an 11.13% decrease.

Despite the decrease in football expenses, BCU still outspent Jackson State ($2,867,733) by almost $2 million in 2024.

November to Remember: Head to Head Evaluations Against First-Year Head Coaches in the SWAC

Considering BCU Athletics’ revenue is commensurate with its SWAC counterparts, let’s rule out the lack of resources as a factor in the team’s ongoing struggles. Instead, we can turn our attention to the field and make evaluations based on a) how this team has looked so far this season; and b) how the guys in maroon and gold will close out the year against similarly suited teams given the fact that all four games in November are against SWAC foes with first year head coaches:

• Grambling State: Head Coach Mickey Joseph

• Southern: Head Coach Terrence Graves

• Texas Southern: Head Coach Cris Dishman

• Florida A&M: Head Coach James Colzie.

The indictment against the Wildcats heading into these four contests is that the first year guys at GSU (4-4), SU (4-4), TxSU (3-4), and FAMU (4-3) have all won multiple games and are all floating around .500.

Considering this, the logical question is why does Bethune only have one win to this point?

With each passing week, the doubts surrounding this coaching staff, this team, and this program will only grow more and more if the team continues to struggle to find success.

On the other hand, winning a few of these last games would do more than boost this year’s record; it would send a message that Bethune-Cookman can compete with programs under similar rebuilding timelines and lay a foundation for a culture of competitiveness for the future. Even a few close losses could help build the case for Coach Woodie and his staff.

Transfer Portal and Roster Revamp: A Double-Edged Sword

Another crucial aspect of BCU’s rebuilding process that’s under the microscope is its utilization of the transfer portal. With 24 transfers on the roster this season, Coach Woodie has tapped into the potential of the portal to expedite a roster overhaul. However, the lack of return on that investment raises questions: has this transfer infusion truly moved the needle, or are we still looking for players to buy into the program’s culture and vision? What’s a reasonable amount of time supporters should expect for players to create cohesion, a shared sense of purpose, and a belief that winning here is possible?

That brings us to a hard lesson from earlier this season: Division II Clark Atlanta, winless in 2023, came into Daytona under a first-year coach, Teddy Keaton, and they walked away with a victory. Clark now sits at 5-2-1, and are assured of a winning record. This moment should serve as both a wake-up call and a challenge for BCU: if Clark can build a winning culture in such a short period, Bethune-Cookman supporters have every reason to demand the same.

What Needs to Happen in the Next Four Games

So, what does BCU need to accomplish over the next month to steer the program toward a stronger future?

1. Competitive Performances: The Wildcats need to play these next four games with consistent intensity and execution. They can’t just play well for a play, or a series, or a quarter, or a half. Football is a 60 minute game so play well to the end.

Close games, even if they end in narrow losses, will show that the team is competitive and progressing. Blowouts, however, would be another setback and may undermine the confidence of players and fans alike.

2. Defensive Accountability: The Wildcats have given up a staggering amount of yardage this season and rank last in the conference in total defense (490 ypg). To frustrate matters, a huge part of playing well on defense is effort and intensity; and effort and intensity are not something you can have questioned as a football team. To stand a chance against these upcoming SWAC teams, and to begin to rewrite the narrative around this program, the defense must prioritize tackling, play with some passion, and limit explosive plays. Or as Coach Woodie often states: play with technique, fundamentals, and attention to detail.

3. Offensive Improvement: The Wildcats’ offense looked as good as it had all season this past Saturday in the first half of the Jackson State game. Build on that. Play that way for 4 quarters and the offense should be fine. Quarterback Luke Sprague, running back Dennis Palmer, and wide receiver Lorenze Jenkins have all shown flashes recently. All three skill players are eligible to return next season. Couple that with several freshmen offensive linemen who have made their way into the starting lineup and you’re starting to create a foundation for the future on offense.

4. Cultural Cohesion: A consistent challenge for programs in rebuild mode is achieving cultural buy-in from players, especially with so many new faces. The next four games should reveal whether the team has developed any resiliency and buy-in; or if there is more work to do in bringing this roster together.

5. Winning at Least Two Games: BCU needs to demonstrate progress with wins. Capturing at least two victories over the next four games would signal the Wildcats are building forward momentum. Coach Woodie led BCU to 3 wins in his first season so anything less has to be considered a failure. A couple of wins against these SWAC foes would resonate through recruiting pipelines, fan engagement, and player morale, setting the tone for next year.

Building for the future

These next few matchups are more than just a series of games—they are a critical moment to shape the program’s identity and trajectory for years to come. It is an honest opportunity to assess where BCU stands relative to programs dealing with similar realities. Now is the time for the Wildcats to demonstrate that they are capable of competing and winning consistently.

This November will be remembered. The question is will it be remembered as the month BCU football began its resurgence or as another missed opportunity and setback for the program. Let’s hope that we can look back and say it was the start of something great. The future of Bethune-Cookman football is now, and it’s time to seize it.

Bethune-Cookman Football: Projected Starters for the 2024 Season

August 16, 2024 / J Bell / Leave a comment

The 2024 season is fast approaching, and the excitement is palpable among Wildcats fans as we anticipate the resurgence of our beloved football program. While we’re still waiting for the official roster and two-deep depth chart from the university, the HailWildcats.com squad has been hard at work analyzing returning players from last season, Spring football highlights, and Fall camp reports to give you our best projection of who might emerge as the starting 11 on both sides of the ball.

Let’s be extremely clear about this, this list is purely speculative and not an official depth chart. What it is is a glimpse into some of the guys that we expect to make a strong impact on the 2024 season of Wildcat football based on the potential and progression we have observed.

The great news is that we only have a few more short weeks before we all get to see how these talented players, as well as others not named on this list, will step up and make their mark on the field of play.

Offense:

Quarterback (QB): Luke Sprague
Running Back (RB): Courtney Reese/ JoJo Brazil
Wide Receiver (WR-X): Jalen Brown
Wide Receiver (WR-Z): Lorenzo Jenkins
Wide Receiver (WR-Y): Omari Stewart
Left Tackle (LT): Cam Vaughn
Left Guard (LG): Surafel Seyfu
Center (C): David Poutasi
Right Guard (RG): Christopher McAlpin
Right Tackle (RT): Trevaris Hammond
Tight End (TE): Thomas Nance

Defense:

Defensive End (DE): Dallaz Corbitt
Defensive Tackle (NT): Adrian Hall
Defensive Tackle (DT): Dario Melendez
Edge: Orin Patu
Linebacker (LB): Dearis Thomas/ Kevin Washington
Linebacker (LB): Trey Paster
Cornerback (CB): Andrew Volmer
Strong Safety (SS): Joshua Thornhill / Shawn Russ
Free Safety (FS): Raymond Woodie III
Cornerback (CB): Johnnie Harris
Nickle (STAR): Stephen Sparrow

Specialists:

Punter: Max Tulen
Kicker: Anthony Frédérique
Long Snapper: Clayton Thomas
Kick Returner: Darnell Deas
Punt Returner: Ray Woodie

Stay tuned for updates and let’s get ready to cheer on the Wildcats! 🏈 #AllHail

BCU Football’s Robinson, Merritt Accept Invites to SPIRAL Tropical Bowl

January 9, 2020January 9, 2020 / D Will / Leave a comment

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 1st Team All-MEAC performer Jimmie Robinson and 3rd Team All-MEAC defensive back Trevor Merritt have both accepted an invitation to compete in the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl, which will be held Jan. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida in front of scouts from teams across the NFL and Canadian Football League.

The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl is a premier FBS Division I level College Football All Star Game played in Daytona Beach, Fla., annually in mid January. The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl showcases the top college football seniors to NFL scouts and GM’s who travel from around the country to the event. The weekend is focused on scouting, teaching, and football. The Inaugural 2016 game was held at FIU/FIU North Stadium and the 2017 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl in cooperation with the City of Daytona Beach moved to Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., and has since returned .The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl has partnered with the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center as the main Host Hotel for the “Tropical Bowl Weekend.” The organizing company East Preps LLC. is responsible for several high end college football all star games at FIU since 2013 and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl has featured 70+ NFL Scouts and 26+ NFL Teams. Over 110 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl alumni have gone on to the NFL since it’s inception in 2016. https://www.tropicalbowl.com/home

Robinson, a senior from Flagler Palm Coast, wraps up a stellar career that saw him earn All-American status as a kick returner and all conference honors as a wide receiver. The speedster led the conference in both kick return average (28.1 yds) and all purpose yards (123.6 per game) in 2019. Robinson was named 2019 Stats FCS All-American, 2019 MEAC First Team All Conference Return Specialist, 2019 MEAC Second Team All Conference Wide Receiver, he was also awarded American Team Offensive MVP in the 2019 6th Annual FCS Bowl.

Credits: Orlando Sentinel

Merritt, who hails from Rockledge, FL, registered 31 tackles and 3 interceptions his senior year. The ballhawking defensive back didn’t just pick off passes; he returned 2 of his 3 picks for touchdowns this season and 2 of his 4 picks for touchdowns in his junior campaign.

The annual all-star game for seniors from Football Bowl Subdivision programs will kick off at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday in DeLand, Fla. The game will be played at Spec Martin Stadium, home of Stetson University and can be viewed online at FloFootball.com. The Tropical Bowl website estimates, through its parent organization (East Prep LLC), that upwards to 40% of players that participate and actually pursue a Pro career are placed and many players play from the NFL to Europe!

Best of luck to Jimmie and Trevor! Hail Wildcats!

BREAKING NEWS: HAILWILDCATS.COM 1st WATCH PARTY!

September 1, 2013September 1, 2013 / D Will / 1 Comment

ALL WILDCAT NATION!!!!!

In a last minute deal struck between Hailwildcats.com staff and Buffalo Wild Wings of Daytona, Hailwildcats.com will host the 1st Hailwildcats.com Watch Party tonight at 8 p.m. EST when the Mighty Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University take on the Tigers of Tennessee State University on ESPN 3. We will be streaming the game live on the “BIG SCREEN” of Buffalo Wild Wings at 2479 W. International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114.

If you are in the Daytona area, put on your Maroon and Gold and come out and share with the Wildcat Nation in this momentous and joyous occasion and see

“Who will ascend to the top of the mountain?”

We look forward to seeing you there! Kickoff AT 8 P.M.

Tenn State Coach Rod Reed Almost got job at BCU

September 1, 2013September 1, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Nashville– Bethune-Cookman and Tennessee State fans alike would have a hard time imagining anyone other than Brian Jenkins and Rod Reed roaming the sidelines of their respective programs over the past 3 seasons. But four years ago, Rod Reed stood at a crossroads in his football coaching career that could have changed the portrait of both programs.

Credits – TSUTigers – TSU Head Coach Rod Reed

Reed had emerged as a finalist for the head coaching position at Tennessee State and Bethune-Cookman.

He’d spent four seasons as linebackers coach at Bethune-Cookman, met his wife there and liked living in Daytona Beach, Fla.

But TSU was his alma mater, and when athletics director Teresa Phillips offered to promote him from the Tigers’ defensive coordinator to the top job, he accepted.

Bethune-Cookman eventually hired Brian Jenkins, who has led the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons, including last year’s 9-3 record.

TSU and Bethune-Cookman meet at 8 p.m. today in the John Merritt Classic at LP Field in what will be an emotional game for Reed, who has so many connections with both programs.

“I am sure I would have been happy as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman. I like the school and I like the people there,” Reed said. “I went down there when the head coaching position was open, came back and interviewed with TSU, and the next day I was the coach here.”

Reed’s second college coaching position was at Bethune-Cookman (1992-95), and it was during his time there when he developed the desire to be a head coach — so much so he was willing to leave the college ranks in 1996 to take the head coaching job at Seabreeze High in Daytona Beach, Fla.

In 2000, he returned to college coaching at East Texas Baptist and three years later became TSU’s defensive coordinator.

Reed left a strong impression at Bethune-Cookman.

Continue Reading: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130901/SPORTS06/309010059/TSU-coach-Rod-Reed-almost-got-job-Bethune-Cookman?nclick_check=1