DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (6-6, 3-0 MEAC) completed their first series sweep of the 2013 season, taking down in-state rivals Florida A&M Rattlers (0-11, 0-3 MEAC) in a three game set at Jackie Robinson ballpark.
The Wildcats used a pair of bottom of the 8th inning comebacks in games one (8-6 final) and three (3-2 final); and a complete game shutout by junior right-hander Scott Gardner in game two (7-0) to secure the weekend sweep.
Gardner pitched all 7 innings in the second game of Saturday’s double-header and registered 3 strikeouts, 1 base on balls, 4 hits, and no runs. Other standouts this weekend included closer Jordan Dailey who saw action in games one and three recording a win and save respectively; and third baseman Matt Noble who had a hit in each of the 3 contests batting .455 (5 for 11) with 5 RBIs in the process.
BCU’s record now stands at 6-6 on the year with wins over perennial power Arizona State and last year NCAA Regionals participant UCF.
The Cats conclude their seven (7) game homestand with a couple of midweek matchups against Central Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m.
At the conclusion of this past season’s Florida Blue Florida Classic, coach Brian Jenkins was seen hugging players, celebrating with the Marching Wildcats, and very conspicuously wearing a 2012 MEAC Champions Belt that was large enough and elaborate enough to make Hulk Hogan envy.
Some fifteen (15) or so minutes after first being spotted with his new ornate accessory, coach Jenkins met with members of the media for his normal postgame recap. There it was again; this time prominently displayed on the conference room table almost touching the fiery coach’s left elbow. There was no attempt at modesty. No attempt to conceal it. It was as if coach Jenkins was silently screaming for someone to ask about THE BELT…and so I did.
The third year coach rather foxily revealed that THE BELT was an inside thing between him and his team. “I have been telling (our football team) about the belt. You want to be the one to put on the belt in the end” Jenkins exclaimed.
Shortly after being named as the fifteenth (15) head football coach at Bethune-Cookman, Brian Jenkins had a chance encounter with a Florida A&M football fan. The FAMU fan approached the newly appointed coach and said let me show you something. He reached into his back pocket and unfolded a piece of paper. Listed on the paper were the results of all of the Florida Classics including the previous two (2); both of which FAMU won.
The FAMU fan was undoubtedly sending a clear message to the precocious new coach of what he should expect when facing the mighty Rattlers.
As fate would have it, coach Jenkins bumped into the same Rattler fan nearly a year later. The FAMU fan, feeling emboldened by his Rattlers’ upset victor over the Wildcats in the 2010 Florida Classic, even more vigorously than the year before flagged down coach Jenkins and again pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. It was an up-to-date history of the Florida Classic results. The FAMU fan proudly and boastfully pointed to his team’s upset win in 2010. It was shortly after that encounter that the idea of THE BELT was conceived in Brian Jenkins’ mind. Jenkins decided if his team could win the MEAC crown and win the Florida Classic, he would supply every graduating senior with his very own Championship Belt.
Senior Class awarded Championship Belts
What better way to memorialize the hardwork, sacrifice, and dedication that’s required to become MEAC and Florida Classic champs than to provide the senior class with Championship Belts. And besides, a Heavyweight caliber Championship Belt trumps a folded piece of paper any day.
Coach Jenkins’ statement to the media after the 2012 Florida Blue Florida Classic now makes so much more sense: “…in the end, you want to be the one to put on the belt.”
THE BELT is brilliant in everything that it represents. It is the proverbial gauntlet slap in the face, a one-upper, a ‘step ya game up’ if you will. It is a unique memento, it epitomizes excellence, symbolizes hardwork and manhood, and it is meant to draw a line in the sand. If you want THE BELT, come and take it. If you want to keep THE BELT, then be prepared to defend it. So keep your folded piece of paper and I will raise you a Championship Belt.
Interestingly, coach Jenkins stated that the last time he spotted the FAMU fan who flagged him down and showed off his folded piece of paper was shortly after the 2010 season. Coincidence? Maybe but not likely!
A source within the BCU Athletic department could not confirm whether THE BELT is a one year phenomenon or a new tradition for each senior class who wins both a MEAC and Florida Classic championship in the same season. Personally, I hope this becomes a new tradition. A new goal of sorts for each class of seniors. I think coach Jenkins said it best: “in the end, you want to be the one to put on the belt”.
Congratulations to all the guys who earned the right to wear THE BELT!!!
In less than 24 hours, the Florida A&M Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats will meet in the 33rd Florida Blue Florida Classic. The contest has grown into one of the premier HBCU showcases attracting over one and half million fans since its inception in 1978. The two teams have combined for eleven (11) conference titles during that same timeframe and have created many memorable moments in this annual showdown.
Players and coaches from both teams will surely seek to create their own magical Florida Classic moment when the two teams square off Saturday at 2:00 in the Citrus Bowl. FAMU coach Earl Holmes, who is a former Rattler player, was asked about his favorite Florida Classic moment at today’s Kickoff Luncheon. Coach Holmes replied “ask me that same question after tomorrow’s game”. With that in mind, here are some of the most memorable Florida Classic moments.
Memorable Florida Classic Moments
1978 – Florida A&M trailed BCU 17-0 at halftime but rallied to a 27-17 victory. Rudy Hubbard’s squad went on to win the 1-AA (now FCS) National Championship that season.
1994 – BCU QB Tony Kerrin connected with Morris Nobles on a 2 yard TD reception in the corner of the endzone to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead with :47remaining in the contest. BCU went on to win by the same margin and coach Cy McClairen earned his first victory over the Rattlers as a head coach.
2003 – Daytona Beach native and current Chicago Bear, Eric Weems, scored 3 touchdowns and helped the Wildcats rally from a 28-10 halftime deficit. The final touchdown was set up by a fake punt attempt on 4th and 17 with less than 2:00 remaining in the contest. A FAMU player was flagged for pass interference on the fake punt and BCU was awarded an automatic first down.
Later in the drive quarterback Allen Suber avoided a sack, rolled to his right, and hit Weems who beat triple coverage just beyond the pylon with 9 seconds remaining in the game. BCU prevailed 39-35 in front of the largest crowd (73,358) in Florida Classic history.
2004 – Florida Classic fans were treated to the first overtime in the history of the series; Wildcats fans were treated with a 58-52 win.
FAMU’s Ben Dougherty (QB) and Roosevelt Kiser (WR) had career days in that contest. Midway through the third quarter, Dougherty connected with Kiser on a 66 yard TD reception and extended FAMU’s lead to 45-24.
Head coach Alvin Wyatt then made the decision to move former NFL All-Pro defensive back Nick Collins from safety to cornerback with the assignment of blanketing Kiser. The move proved to be very effective for the maroon and gold. The FAMU passing game was severely limited as a result of the coaching decision and the Wildcats outscored FAMU 34-7 from that point forward. Rodney Johnson’s 15 yard touchdown run in overtime sealed the victory for BCU.
Coach Wyatt was so overcome with emotion that he fainted (due to dehydration) and had to be carted off by medical personnel.
Not only was the 2004 victory the first overtime win in Florida Classic history, it was also the first time that BCU secured three consecutive victories over its arch-rival.
Florida A&M head coach Joe Taylor has coached his final game for the Rattlers. Taylor originally announced he would retire at the end of the season, but after meeting with FAMU athletic director Derek Horne on Wednesday, the legendary head coach decided to retire from the coaching ranks effective immediately.
Former FAMU standout and current defensive coordinator, Earl Homes, will serve as the interim head coach when the Rattlers face North Carolina Central for homecoming this week and in next week’s end of the season showdown against Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic.
Joe Taylor’s 233 career wins ranks him third all-time amongst HBCU coaches. His .648 winning percentage during his FAMU tenure ranks him ahead of noteworthy FAMU coaches Rudy Hubbard (.630) and Ken Riley (.561); and virtually ties him with Billy Joe (.651). Under his leadership, FAMU shared the 2010 MEAC conference crown with Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State; the Rattlers received recognition in 2009 for having the MEAC’s most significant APR improvement; the football program was stabilized after coming off of NCAA probation; and ESPN College Gameday broadcasted their first ever telecast from an HBCU campus.
Despite his on the field and off the field accomplishments in Tallahassee, Taylor never seemed to live up to the expectations of the Rattler faithful. Taylor is 0-5 against FAMU’s historical rivals Howard, Southern, Tennessee State, and Bethune-Cookman since the middle of last season.
I have no insight on the inner-workings of the FAMU athletic department, nor am I suggesting that coach Taylor was the best man to advance FAMU football. Having said that, Joe Taylor is by all accounts a genuinely great man and he is a legendary HBCU football coach. He earned the right to receive a more dignified ending to his illustrious career. Unfortunately for him, he was not giving the honor to bow out gracefully.
Godspeed Coach Taylor. Thank you for your contribution to HBCU football and for shaping the lives of hundreds of young men.
Home field advantage is as much a part of college football as marching bands and drunken co-eds. LSU’s Tiger Stadium, University of Florida’s “Swamp”, Clemson’s “Death Valley” and Ohio State’s “Horseshoe” provide some of the more well-known home field advantages in all of sports. But you don’t have to play in an 80,000 seat arena to enjoy the benefits of a home field.
There are a host of smaller venues, including some HBCU home sites, that have proven themselves very tough on opposing teams. Granted, playing in front of your home crowd does not guarantee victory, but you have to like your chances if you play your home games in these friendly confines.
Here’s a look at the best home field advantages in the world of HBCU football.
Honorable Mention:
*** O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is a charming, picturesque venue nestled on the grounds of North Carolina Central University. But don’t get it twisted. Playing in O’Kelly-Riddick is no walk in the park for the opposition. In fact, the CIAA contingent that contributed to this poll thought so much of O’Kelly-Riddick that they lobbied vehemently for Central to be included in the Top 5 home field advantage ranking and not just an honorable mention selectee.
O’Kelly-Riddick’s greatest advantage comes from the closeness of the fans. “They’re right on top of you and in your ear the whole game” one former CIAA player told me. He went on to describe how one of his young teammates was harassed by a particular NCCU fan from pre-game warmups until the final whistle. No wonder that “young buck” had his worse collegiate game that day.
*** Grambling State’shome games may not be as well attended as some of the other schools on this list, but the folks that congregate at Eddie Robinson Stadium on Saturday’s sure make their presence known. Robinson Stadium is one of the largest FCS on-campus stadium in the country. The Tigers have enjoyed 13 undefeated home seasons and a .758 winning percentage at Robinson Stadium since it opened in 1983.
The stadium is in the middle of nowhere which in itself creates a sense of isolationism for visiting squads. Couple that with the lore of Grambling State football, the passion of their fans, and the quality of football the G-Men play and it’s pretty simple to see why playing at Robinson Stadium has proven to be such a difficult task for opponents.
*** If there were no extra weight given for recent success, North Carolina A&T’s Aggie Stadium would have made our Top 5.
A&T fans are amongst the most passionate and rabid in all of FCS athletics. The Blue Death Valley, Aggie Pride and of course the GHOE (Greatest Homecoming on Earth {sorry Howard}) all take up residence in Aggie Stadium. Visiting teams can expect the unpredictable at Aggie Stadium. Just a season ago, a very good Bethune-Cookman team suffered a horrible defeat at the hands of NCA&T and were held to a putrid 5 yards of rushing offense during the process. It’s no coincidence that game was played in Aggie Stadium.
The Top 5
SU vs JSU at Mumford Stadium
#5—Southern University’s A. W. Mumford Stadium
Yeah I know SWACOs. One could argue that Mumford is deserving of the #1 ranking. But like A&T, Southern’s recent hard times resulted in Mumford falling a little lower in the rankings.
SU routinely ranks in the Top 25 in FCS home attendance and unlike some HBCU fans; Jaguar fans are active and loud from the zero quarter to the fifth quarter. The Human Jukebox, the Dancing Dolls, 20,000 plus screaming Louisianans all make Mumford a special place to call home.
SCSU’s Oliver C. Dawson
#4—South Carolina State’s Oliver C. Dawson Stadium
South Carolina State’s Dawson Stadium is one of the best places to catch an HBCU football contest. The fun starts outside of the stadium at the MEAC’s best tailgate party. Inside the stadium, you will find one of the most knowledgeable and loyal group of fans in the HBCU world.
Bulldog fans know when to inject life into the stadium; and when they do Dawson produces a “roar” that is as good as any in FCS football. Oh by the way, the Bulldogs are 19-3 at Dawson over the last 5 years.Pretty good huh?
#3—Florida A&M’s Bragg Memorial Stadium
If you call a Rattler fan arrogant or obnoxious, you’re more likely to receive a thank you than a rebuttal. They are a deeply loyal and passionate bunch who don’t seem to have an issue reminding us all of the rich history of FAMU athletics.On game day they’re extremely boisterous and fully engaged.
The fans alone provide enough of a boost to give FAMU a great home field advantage. When you add in the Florida humidity and a 400+ piece band that has its own cult following into the equation, Bragg Stadium becomes all the more difficult to tame.
Mississippi’s Veterans Memorial Stadium
In 1997, Jackson State set an NCAA FCS attendance record when they averaged 38,873 fans at home games. JSU fans don’t show up just to be seen either. They are loud, rowdy, and very much a part of the game.
The Sonic Boom is a high intensity, “aggressive” band that amplifies the already hostile environment of Mississippi’s Veterans Memorial.
Between the lines, Jackson State owns a .780 winning percentage at Veterans Memorial. Many teams cannot sustain that type of excellence for a 5 year period. JSU has been doing it since they began playing their home games at Veterans Memorial in October of 1967.
The combination of diehard fans, an “in your face” band, and a football history that is steeped in tradition makes Veterans Memorial worthy of receiving the #2 spot in our ranking.
The Dust Bowl
#1—Tuskegee’s Abbott Stadium
Tuskegee’s Abbott Stadium -affectionately known as “The Dust Bowl”- is one of the most unique places to play football in the country. Abbott (originally called Alumni Stadium) was constructed in 1924 and was the first of its kind to be erected on an HBCU campus. To give you some perspective regarding just how much history Abbott Stadium has seen, many of the Tuskegee Airmen were still running around in diapers when the Golden Tigers played their first game at Abbott against Atlanta University. But age isn’t Abbot’s only unique characteristic.
Abbott is one of the only stadiums in the country in which the tailgate occurs inside the stadium (on the hillside). There is also a seemingly out of place barn roof (referred to as “The Shed”) standing over the home-side stands. But when you consider the stadium has no lights and that all home games kickoff at 1:00 in the afternoon, it makes sense to offer fans some sort of protection from the Alabama sun. Players on the field are afforded no such luxury. Not only is the playing surface hot, but the stadium’s design inhibits air from circulating freely, hence the term “The Dust Bowl”.
Tuskegee has been an absolute beast on the field. The Golden Tigers own 8 Black College Football National Championships, 28 SIAC Championships, as well as the title of “The Winningest Team in HBCU History” with 630 victories. More recently, Head Coach Willie Slater boasts a 25-3 home record at Abbot Stadium.
Now that you know how we feel, tell us what you think.Choose your Top 3 HBCU home field advantages.The poll closes the week of July 4th.
Orlando, Florida (NOVEMBER 2, 2011) – Game officials are preparing for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University, and it is possible that a special milestone may be reached at this year’s edition the nation’s top HBCU Classic.
Should the game reach an attendance mark of 63,200, the one-millionth fan of the game since it came to Orlando in 1997 will walk through the gates of Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Heading into this year’s 32nd overall edition of the game, 936,800 fans have attended the game in its 14 previous years in Orlando. Game officials expect to hit the 1,000,000 mark this year based on current ticket sales projections combined with an annual attendance average of nearly 67,000.
“Since 1997, FAMU, B-CU and the City of Orlando have truly built something special together,” said Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan. “The Classic weekend is one of the great rivalry experiences in college athletics and this year’s game could see fan number 1,000,000 walk through the gates — yet another milestone to celebrate in a series already rich in tradition.
”Should the 1,000,000th fan enter the gates, he/she will receive:· Two free Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic tickets in Orlando for life· Instant seat upgrade for two in the Uprights Club for this year’s game· A BCBS Florida Classic merchandise prize pack.
The 2011 BCBSFL Classic – featuring the McDonald’s halftime show — takes place on Saturday, November 19 at 2:30 p.m. Fans interested in purchasing tickets should go to Ticketmaster.com and for game information, log on to www.FloridaClassic.org.
One game does not make a season but here is what we learned about MEAC teams in the opening weekend of the 2011 season.
There is a new Sheriff in town
Rod Broadway is 1-0 as North Carolina A&T’s head coach. Sure, the Aggies first victory came against a completely outmanned University of Virginia Lynchburg squad. But for a once proud program who finished 1-10 a season ago, a win is a win. Perhaps the most promising sign from yesterday’s game for the Aggies was the play of Sophomore QB Lewis Kindle (341 yards passing and 4 touchdowns). On the downside, All-MEAC running back Mike Mayhew suffered a leg injury in the contest. A&T was supposed to win big and they did. Let’s just hope that Mayhew’s injury isn’t serious.
Florida A&M was also expected to win big but that didn’t happen. The Rattler faithful spent much of the offseason talking about winning games in the FCS playoffs this year. If Saturday’s showing against Division II Fort Valley State was any indication, Joe Taylor may breakout his best Jim Mora Sr. impression if asked about the playoffs. (Playoffs, you’re talking playoffs). The Rattler’s scored the game winning touchdown on a fluke play..ah deflected pass with :39 seconds left in the game. (Click the link to see video of the play http://www.wctv.tv/sports). FAMU hung on for the 28-22 victory. Perhaps this was FAMU’s one bad game for the season. Perhaps Ft Valley State is better than we’re giving them credit. I guess an ugly win is better than a pretty defeat. We will all know more about how good FAMU is (or is not) in just a few short days when they face off against Hampton live on ESPNU (Thursday, Sept 8th).
Close but no cigar
Savannah State was less than 30 seconds away from defeating SIAC powerhouse and reigning Sheridan Broadcast Network Black College National Champion Albany State. Sometimes there are moral victories in sports. Savannah State players should feel good about their performance against Albany State. The next step in the evolutionary process for the Tigers, finish the deal against an upper echelon HBCU team.
South Carolina State also deserves kudos for their performance in a loss. I know that may sound strange to some but the Bulldog defense only gave up 21 points on the road against FBS foe Central Michigan. The Bulldogs were a play or two away on offense from making this a very interesting contest.
Howard and North Carolina Central received sizable checks and beat downs in their matchups this weekend. Morgan State on the other hand took a similar beat down but received no check. Hey MSU, what’s that old saying about giving it up for free? This is a family friendly blog so I digress.
Norfolk dominated Virginia State for the sixth straight year. I guess the Trojans just can’t comPETE with the mighty Spartans.
Owned
The MEAC finished the weekend 3-1 versus FCS competition. (Curse you Morgan State!) Delaware State defeated Virginia Military Institute of the Big South Conference 24-21 behind strong performances from MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Justin Wilson (6 receptions, 110 yards, and 2 touchdowns) and QB Nick Elko (17 of 32 for 232, 3 touchdowns).
Hampton trailed Alabama A&M 17-0 at halftime in the Chicago Classic but rallied to a 21-20 victory. Sophomore running back Antwon Chisholm continues to impress rushing for 141 yards and scoring the winning touchdown in the Pirates’ victory.
In the second game this past weekend matching MEAC and SWAC opponents, Bethune Cookman delivered the most comprehensive performance of the opening weekend. The Wildcats absolutely annihilated Prairie View A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Mercy rule, running clock, “uncle”, throw in the towel; somebody just please make it stop. To tell you how out of hand this one got, Prairie View Head Coach, Heishma Northern, elected to line up in the “victory formation”, take a knee, and run the clock out during his team’s final possession. The Panters were trailing at the time (BCU)- 63, (PVAM)-14.
University of Maryland transfer Jamarr Robinson started at QB for the Wildcats and racked up 281 yards of offense (251 passing and 30 rushing) and 3 touchdowns (2 rushing and 1 passing) in less than 2 and a half quarters of work. Next up for BCU is a pivotal matchup against conference rival South Carolina State in Daytona Beach. The game will be broadcasted on tape delay on ESPNU Saturday, September 10th at 10:00 PM (EST).
‘Do you remember, the 21st night of September. Love was changing the minds of pretenders, while chasing the clouds away.’
…
The funky lyrics from Earth, Wind, and Fire seem apropos for the four teams predicted to finish atop the MEAC football standings in 2011. Most sports fans understand the correlation between momentum and confidence and winning and losing. They also understand that winning (and losing) can be as contagious as a funk band’s groovy beats. South Carolina State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, and Hampton may find it difficult to establish early season momentum as they all experience their toughest stretch of games at the kickoff of the 2011 campaign. By the end of September, the league crown could be out of reach for one or more of these expected contenders.
South Carolina State has the most difficult opening stretch of games. The Bulldogs will be double-digit underdogs to FBS opponents Central Michigan (9/1) and Indiana (9/17). Nestled between the two FBS contests is a matchup against Bethune-Cookman. Buddy Pough’s Bulldogs are 29-1 vs. HBCU’s over the past three seasons. The Wildcats handed the Bulldogs their lone HBCU defeat last year in Orangeburg. SCSU conclude the month with a matchup versus new look and hopeful contender Delaware State.
The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman opened last season with one-sided victories against undermanned Edward Waters and overmatched Savannah State. This year’s early season competition is much tougher for Brian Jenkins’ squad. The Wildcats will look to extend the MEAC’s 4-2 record in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge when they face SWAC power Prairie View A&M on the 4th. BCU finish their September schedule at home with contests against SCSU (9/10) and Hampton (9/22).
Like Bethune, Hampton kickoff their 2011 campaign versus a SWAC Opponent. Hampton and Alabama A&M square off on September 3rd in the Chicago Football Classic. The Pirates next three opponents, FAMU (9/8), Old Dominion (9/17), and BCU (9/24), were 3-0 versus Donovan Rose’s team in 2010.
Florida A&M face perhaps the easiest opening schedule of the top four teams from a year ago. Division II Ft. Valley State visits Tallahassee on September 3rd. FAMU will have a quick turnaround and play a Thursday night/ESPNU contest against Hampton on September 8th. Big East title contender University of South Florida host Joe Taylor’s squad in Tampa on the 17th. The Rattlers end the month against one of their old nemesis, Southern University (9/24). FAMU should be favored over SU, but as the saying goes: “you can throw out all of the records in a rivalry game”.
The top-heavy schedule of the MEAC’s elite may leave the door open for other squads looking to contend. Morgan State can thank the schedule makers for leaving FAMU and SCSU off of their schedule. Unlike the teams mentioned above, the Bears face their toughest stretch of games at the end of the season. Norfolk State avoids FAMU this year and may have time to build confidence before facing South Carolina State, Delaware State, Hampton, and Bethune in the month of October.
The second full week of the season (the week ending Saturday, September 10th) may be the most pivotal in the race for conference supremacy. Hampton host FAMU on Thursday (9/8) and SCSU travels to Daytona Beach to face BCU on Saturday (09/10). These early season matchups will certainly cause a lot of “scoreboard watching” and should help quickly weed out the pretenders. By the month’s end, some expected contenders may have their hopes dashed while others may be humming “ba-de-ya” and dancing in September.
President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed and Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Dr. James H. Ammons, in concert with the Florida Classic Consortium, announced Wednesday that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has signed on to become the title sponsor for the annual Florida Classic and the Battle of the Bands. The Consortium also announced an extension of its contract with Florida Citrus Sports that will keep the game at Orlando’s Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium for the next five years.
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