Florida

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

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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.

$35.00 Roundtrip on HAILWILDCATS.COM Fan Bus to the 2019 FLORIDA BLUE FLORIDA CLASSIC 11/23/19

/ D Will / Leave a comment

 

HAIL WILDCATS Faithful! HWFB

You are cordially invited to hop onboard the HailWildcats.com ‘Road to the Celebration Bowl’ Fan Bus as we support and cheer on our BCU Football team under the direction of Head Coach Terry Sims. Our Fighting Wildcats will travel to “Camping World” Stadium in Orlando, Florida for the 2019 Florida Blue FLORIDA CLASSIC on Saturday November 23rd, 2019 to take on the FAMU Rattlers, kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

Forget having to drive and park into busy Orlando, for the low rate of $35.00 you will be guaranteed transportation to and from this annual game and still be able to tailgate. Sit back and relax and allow us to do the driving for you, Hailwildcats Fan Bus even has electric outlets under every seat to charge your electronics!

The bus will depart from Daytona at 11:30 am, make a pickup at the Home Depot on Lee Road at 12:15 and will arrive at the Florida Citrus Bowl around 1:00 pm so that you can enjoy the festivities. The Bus will depart back to Daytona around 8:00 pm to allow you to participate in the after game celebration.

Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. No seats are guaranteed until final payment has been received. Refunds will be granted on a case by case basis!

We encourage the use of secure checkout form below for a fast, safe, and convenient method of securing your seat with a Credit/Debit card.  If you prefer to pay with cash or with Credit/Debit card in person or over the phone, please coordinate with Jerry Bell or Darold Williams at the numbers below. Checks will NOT be accepted.

Seats are filling up quickly, so be sure to lock yours in today.

PICKUP LOCATIONS:

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -Home Depot -11:30 AM 2455 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

ORLANDO, FL -Home Depot -12:15 PM 5351 Diplomat Cir, Orlando, FL 32810

If you have any questions, please call or text Jerry Bell at 407-494-5302 in the Orlando Area or Darold Williams at 386-463-2287 in the Daytona Area.

*Please remember that Camping World Stadium has a “Clear Bag” Policy, please see the link below for more info.

http://www.floridaclassic.org/faq


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Hail Wildcats!
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BCU secure MEAC title and Playoff berth with 29-10 FL Classic win

/ J Bell / 3 Comments

SONY DSC

Dyron Dye

Quentin Williams and Isidore Jakson rushed for two touchdowns each in Saturday’s Florida Classic but it was the Wildcat defense that paved the way for a comfortable 29-10 win for Bethune-Cookman over arch-rival Florida A&M.

The announced crowd of 45,321 watched BCU’s defense stymie the Rattlers and hold them to just 89 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers on the afternoon.

Dyron Dye led the defensive charge and emerged from the contest with 7 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.  7 other Wildcat defenders finished the day with 4 or more tackles.

FAMU struck first in the contest on a 41 yard Chase Varnadore field goal with 9:58 remaining in the 1st.

BCU responded quickly going 79 yards on 7 plays on the ensuing drive.  Williams hit Jontavious Carter on a 43 yard catch and run to set the Wildcats up in good field position.  6 plays later Williams walked into the endzone to provide BCU with a 7-3 lead.

After a FAMU 3 and out, BCU travelled 66 yards on 10 plays and eventually found the endzone on Williams’ second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from 17 yards out.

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Ike Jackson

The Wildcats capped the 1st half scoring on a 3 yard Isidore Jackson touchdown run.  Senior quarterback Brodrick Waters hit Brandon Bryant in the back of the endzone on the 2 point conversion attempt to push the halftime lead to 21-3.

Florida A&M’s only points of the second half came on a 45 yard fumble return by Jonathan Pillow midway through the 3rd quarter.

Isidore Jackson’s second 3 yard touchdown run of the afternoon followed by Waters 2 point conversion run wrapped up the scoring at 29-10.

With the win, BCU locked up their 3rd conference crown and playoff appearance in the past 4 years.  The win also pushed BCU’s active win streak over FAMU to 3 games.  Only one time prior, 2002, 2003, and 2004, had BCU won 3 straight games over Florida A&M.

The pairings for the 2013 FCS Playoffs will be announced Sunday morning at 11:30 A.M. on ESPNU.

SONY DSC

 

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

/ J Bell / 2 Comments

KJ Stroud ClassicThe 34th installment of the Florida Blue Florida Classic between in-state rivals Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M is upon us. 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 twelve (12) conference titles during that same timeframe and have created many memorable moments in this annual showdown.

Players and coaches from both teams will look to create their own signature Florida Classic moment when the two teams square off Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl.

Here is a look back at some of the more memorable games played in Florida Classic history.

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

1978 – Florida A&M trailed BCU 17-0 at halftime in the first ever Florida Classic played in Tampa Stadium. The Rattlers scored 27 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 27-17 victory. Rudy Hubbard’s squad went on to win the first 1-AA (now FCS) National Championship later that season. A year later (1979) BCU won their first Florida Classic 25-20.

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 :47 remaining 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. The Wildcats eventually prevailed 58-52.

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 eventual three-time 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, who was overcome with emotion after the win, fainted and had to be carted off the field by medical personnel. Wyatt was eventually treated for dehydration but was no worse for the wear.

Not only was the 2004 victory the first overtime fame in Florida Classic history, it was also the first time that BCU won three consecutive victories over the FAMU.

2005 – Like the year prior, this game was also decided in overtime; only this time FAMU would emerge as the victor. The Rattlers entered the contest as underdogs and quickly fell behind to the Wildcats 17-0. But A&M slowly climbed back into the contest and forced the game into overtime on the strength of a Wesley Taylor 43-yard field goal with less than 3 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Taylor’s 26-yarder in overtime vaulted the Rattlers to a 26-23 win.

2010 – BCU entered the 2010 FC (Brian Jenkins’ first year) with an unblemished 10-0 record. However, a 3rd quarter injury to eventual MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Matt Johnson, derailed BCU’s high-octane “Speedway Offense.” FAMU capitalized on the opportunity and secured a 38-27 win in one of the biggest upsets in FC history. Phillip Sylvester scored 3 times for the Rattlers and rushed for 146 yards on 26 carries in the process.

Repost of “THE BELT”

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

The beltAt the conclusion of the 2012 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.

At this past Saturday’s 2012 Championship Team Banquet inside the North Tower Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel located directly on Daytona Beach, coach Jenkins revealed to the 350 Wildcat supporters in attendance the inside story behind THE BELT.

The story goes as follows:

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

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 sacrifice, 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!!!

MEAC Roundup – 11/2/2013

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Credits: DSUHornets

Credits: DSUHornets

MEAC ROUNDUP: Defending champion Bethune-Cookman (8-1, 5-0) continued their dominant play Saturday, bowling over North Carolina Central (4-5, 2-3), 38-14 in a nationally-televised 12 noon bout at Durham, N.C.

The ‘Cats win kept them one game ahead of South Carolina State (6-3, 4-1) in the standings. SCSU rebounded from last week’s head-to-head loss at Daytona Beach, with a 45-9 romp over Savannah State (1-9, 0-6) at Savannah, Georgia.

Clearly the game of the day had to be Delaware State’s last gasp 22-20 win over visiting Howard at Dover, as Mitchell Ward booted a 26-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Hornets (4-5, 4-2) into sole possession of third place, while Howard (2-4, 3-7) had its’ two-game winning streak snapped, to drop into 10th place.

In other MEAC action, Morgan State (3-6, 3-2) bolted to a big lead, then withstood a Hampton University comeback to sink the Pirates (3-6, 3-2), 30-27 at Baltimore, leaving the two squads tied for fourth place in the standings.

North Carolina A&T (5-3, 2-3) crushed visiting Virginia University at Lynchburg, 59-12 at homecoming in Greensboro, N.C., while another homecoming didn’t go so well, as visiting Florida A&M (3-6, 2-3) scored a fourth quarter touchdown to spoil the day for Norfolk State (2-7, 2-3), 16-6 in Dick Price Stadium at Norfolk, Va.

How Things Stack Up Now
Bethune-Cookman (5-0), South Carolina State (4-1) and Delaware State (4-2) make up the top three in the MEAC standings…. Hampton (3-2) and Morgan State (3-2) are tied for fourth place, just ahead of a four-team, sixth place logjam featuring North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, Florida A&M and Norfolk State at 2-3….. Howard (2-6) and Savannah State (0-6) round out the group after the first week of November.

Next Week’s slate features 10 of the 11 schools in action in five conference bouts: Norfolk State at Bethune-Cookman (4:00); Florida A&M at South Carolina State (1:30); North Carolina Central at Hampton (1:00); North Carolina A&T at Morgan State (1:00), and Savannah State at Howard (1:00).

2013 MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Through November 2
Team …………………… Conference …….. Overall
Bethune-Cookman ……. 5-0 1.000 ….. 8-1 .888
South Carolina State …. 4-1 .800 ….. 6-3 .667
Delaware State ………… 4-2 .667 ….. 4-5 .444
Hampton ………………… 3-2 .600 ….. 3-6 .333
Morgan State …………… 3-2 .600 ….. 3-6 .333
North Carolina A&T …… 2-3 .400 ….. 5-3 .625
North Carolina Central .. 2-3 .400 ….. 4-5 .444
Florida A&M ……………. 2-3 .400 ….. 3-6 .333
Norfolk State ………….. 2-3 .400 ….. 2-7 .222
Howard …………………. 2-4 .333 ….. 3-7 .300
Savannah State ……….. 0-6 .000 ….. 1-9 .100

MEAC WEEK 10 SCORECARD (November 2)
Bethune-Cookman 38, North Carolina Central 14
North Carolina A&T 59, Virginia-Lynchburg 12
Morgan State 30, Hampton 27
Florida A&M 16, Norfolk State 6
Delaware State 22, Howard 20
South Carolina State 45, Savannah State 9

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE (November 7-9)
North Carolina Central at Hampton, 1:00
North Carolina A&T at Morgan State, 1:00
Savannah State at Howard, 1:00
Florida A&M at South Carolina State, 1:30
Norfolk State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00
Delaware State, bye

GAMES OF NOVEMBER 14-16
Delaware State at Florida A&M
Norfolk State at North Carolina Central
Morgan State at South Carolina State
Savannah State at North Carolina A&T
Hampton at Bethune-Cookman
Howard at Texas Southern

GAMES OF NOVEMBER 21-23
Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M (Orlando)
North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T
South Carolina State at Norfolk State
Morgan State at Delaware State
Howard at Hampton
Savannah State, bye

MEAC Roundup 10.20.13- BCU, SCSU tied for first

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BCUSSU

Credits: BCUAthletics

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

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com

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

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

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

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

Through October 19

Team …………………… Conference …….. Overall

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

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

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

Hampton ………………… 2-1 .667 ….. 2-5 .285

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

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

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

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

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

Howard …………………. 1-3 .250 ….. 2-6 .250

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

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

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

BCU leads FIU 14-7 at the half

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Bethune-Cookman takes a 14-7 lead to the half over Florida International in Miami.  The Wildcats are controlling both lines of scrimmage rushing for 182 yards on offense on 25 carries.  That is a whopping 7.3 yards per carry.  Defensively BCU is holding the FIU offense to 2.3 yards per rushing attempt.

Anthony Jordan scored on a 58 yard TD run on BCU’s first offensive series capping off a 4 play, 91 yard drive that covered 1:28.  FIU evened the score at 7 apiece on an 8 yard pass from Jake Medlock to T.J. Lowder at the 6:51 mark in the 2nd.

Cary White’s 5 yard TD run pushed BCU’s lead back to 7 and capped a 66 yard scoring drive.

Anthony Jordan is averaging 12.6 yards per rush.

BCU takes over possession when we resume play after half.

Team Stats COOK   FIU
First Downs 11 5
Total Plays 36 29
Total Yards 207 171
Passing 25 128
Rushing 182 43
Penalties 2 / 25 3 / 19
Possession 14:55 14:12
Turnovers 0 0

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

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BCU LB - Jarkevis Fields

BCU LB – Jarkevis Fields

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

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

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

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

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

2013 Predicted Order of Finish

(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)

School                                                                  Points

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

2013 Football All-Conference Preseason Teams

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

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

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

 

*indicates tie