BCU Men and Women Sweep 2013 PGA National Title

Matthew McKnight

Matthew McKnight

Andrea Orozco

Andrea Orozco

Congratulations to BCU’s Men’s and Women’s golf teams for sweeping the 2013 PGA Minority National Titles in Port St. Lucie, Florida this past weekend.

The men’s squad erased a four-stroke deficit on Sunday afternoon to claim a one shot victory over Texas-Pan American.  On the women’s side of the draw, BCU held off a strong charge from Texas-Pan American on the back nine and claimed the title after the first playoff hole.

The Wildcats also enjoyed a clean sweep in the individual awards with Andrea Orozco claiming top honors on the women’s side and Matthew McKnight placing first amongst the men.

BCU (baseball) defeats Miami Hurricanes

Photo Credits: BCU Athletics

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (15-17) traveled to South Florida for the first of their two trips to Coral Gables this season and exited Wednesday night’s contest with a 5-3 victory over perennial power the University of Miami (20-12).Junior right hander Montana Durapau had another strong outing on the hill yielding just 2 earned runs and striking out 7 in seven innings of work for BCU.

Jordan Dailey entered the contest in the 8th and held the Hurricanes scoreless through the final 2 frames earning him his 5th save of the season.

BCU never trailed in the contest and plated all five of its runs in the middle innings:  two each in the fourth and fifth and another in the sixth.

Eric Sams’ RBI single in the fourth brought home the Wildcats first two runs of the contest.

Shaun McCarty added an RBI in the 5th on a sharply hit double deep into the right field corner.  McCarty scored on a Brandon Turner fielder’s choice later in the inning and pushed the BCU lead to 4-0

Miami responded with an Alex Hernandez RBI single through the left side to put the Hurricanes on the board, narrowing the lead to 4-1.

Freshman catcher Chris Biocic’s RBI single in the sixth capped the Wildcats’ scoring at 5.

Michael Broad launched a monster two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Wildcat lead to 5-3, but the Canes could get no closer.

BCU’s 5-3 victory adds Miami to an impressive list of out of conference foes Jason Beverlins’ squad has defeated this season.  Arizona State, Miami, Central Florida, Central Michigan, Florida International, South Florida and Jacksonville University have all suffered defeat at the hands of the Wildcats in 2013.

The Cats return to MEAC play and will travel to Tallahassee on Friday for a three game weekend series against Florida A&M.

(Baseball) Wildcats sweep FAMU

 

Let's Go Wildcats

Scott Gardner

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.

BCU to play Florida State in 2013

DSC_0006It was announced on Monday that the Bethune-Cookman football team will faceoff against perennial ACC power Florida State on September 21st in historic Doak Campbell Stadium.

This will be the first ever football matchup between the two universities.

The Wildcats were originally slated to play Central Florida on September 28th; however, UCF opted to withdraw from the game and faceoff against Penn State instead. 

BCU athletic director Lynn Thompson stated he received several invites to fulfill the vacant date.  Included among those was an invitation to play in the 2013 Circle City Classic, but a suitable Division I opponent could not be found.

The 2013 campaign kicks off Labor Day Weekend in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville against Tennessee State.  The Cats return for their home opener on September 7th vs Virginia Union just before facing off against FBS opponents Florida International (Miami, 09/14)  and Florida State (Tallahassee, 09/21).

After a bye-week, the Wildcats will begin MEAC play in Dover against Delaware State (10/5) followed by a showdown with Howard in DC on October 12th. 

4 of their next 5 contests will be held in the friendly confines of Municipal Stadium (Savannah State – 10/19, South Carolina State – 10/26 {homecoming}, Norfolk 11/9, and Hampton 11/16).

Sandwiched in between homecoming and the game with Norfolk is a November 2nd matchup with North Carolina Central in Durham.

As always, the regular season will wrap-up in Orlando in the Florida Classic.

THE BELT

The beltAt 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.

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 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!!!

Wildcats remain perfect in MEAC with 21-16 Florida Classic victory

2012 MEAC and Fla Classic Champs

ORLAND, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman held off a late charge from Florida A&M to secure its second straight victory in the Florida Blue Florida Classic. The Wildcats, who are headed to the FCS playoffs,  have now won 7 consecutive games and 13 straight in MEAC play. 

Quentin Williams threw for 120 yards and one touchdown on 12-18 passing.  Williams also rushed for 86 yards including a 51 yard scamper in the first quarter which helped setup Bethune’s first score of the afternoon. 

After trailing 10-7 at halftime, BCU scored on a 34-yard Isidore Jackson touchdown run with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter.  Jackson ended the afternoon with 77 yards rushing leaving him just 8 yards shy of reaching 1,000 on the season. Andronicus Lovette added a 1-yard rushing score with 11:30 left to push BCU’s lead to 21-10.

Florida A&M made a contest of it after Damien Fleming eluded a certain sack and connected with Dewayne Harvey for a 37-yard score to cut the lead to 5 (21-16) with 8:04 remaining.

Fleming had a final opportunity to work his magic when the Rattlers took over possession on their own 47 with 3:49 left in the contest.  However, it was the BCU defense that made the game defining play.  On 2nd down and 17, Harold Love III chased down Fleming forcing a fumble with 1:17 seconds left in game.  Tevin Toney recovered the fumble and raced 47 yards for an apparent BCU touchdown but the officials (who did not have a particularly great day at the office) initially ruled that the runner was down on the play but reversed the call after a booth review.  The touchdown did not stand, but BCU was able to take over possession and run out the clock.

Jarkevis Fields, who stated that he had quite a few family and friends in the house screaming go #1 and Go Wildcats, led the Wildcats with 11 tackles including 2 for loss.

The playoff bound Wildcats will now await word on their next opponent.  The FCS playoff field of 20 will be revealed Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. on the ESPN family of networks.

Most memorable Florida Classic Moments

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.

Bethune Cookman 2012 Signing Class

Third year head coach Brian Jenkins could hardly hold back his radiant and infectious smile when announcing what could be the best signing class of his brief tenure at Bethune Cookman.  The nearly 100 Wildcat supporters who attended the Signing Day Bash clapped and cheered as coach Jenkins highligted 15 new additions to the Fighting Wildcat football team.  8 of the 15 signees revealed on Wednesday night are already enrolled in classes and are slated to participate in Spring practice.

Stacking the Chips and Building for the Future

Although many pundits believe that it takes a minimum of three years to accurately rate a recruiting class, coach Jenkins has already labled this class a success.  Coach Jenkins stated:

“We were able to address our areas of need, build depth, sign all by 2 or 3 of the players that we targeted, as well as find some immediate (impact) players.  I can already call this class a success.  There is no need to wait for 2 or 3 years.”  He went on to state: “And this is only the first half of our signing class.  We got guys with more girth and guys who are longer on the offensive line.  We got taller in the secondary.  We got more explosive at wide receiver.”

“We’re stacking the chips and building for the future.  And there is still more to come.  I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve that will be revealed at a later time.”

The 15 signees include 2 defensive linemen; 4 defensive backs, 1 linebacker, 6 offensive linemen, and 2 wide receivers.  Expect 4 or 5 additional signees before the kickoff of Fall practice.

The 2012 BCU Football Signing Class (as of February1, 2012) is as follows:

*=Mid-Year Transfer Already Attending Bethune Cookman

Defensive Line 

*Brandon Bryant (Jr.) – Defensive Line – 6’4” – 290 – Atlanta, Ga. – Central Florida

LeBranden Richardson (So.) – Defensive End – 6’2” – 237 – Miami, Fla. – Central Florida

Defensive Back

*Tyrone Bouie (r-So.) – Defensive Back – 6’0” – 180 – Sanford, Fla. – University of Minnesota

*Derek Carter (r-Jr.) – Defensive Back – 6’0” – 200 – Sunrise, Fla. – Central Michigan

Tevin Gordon (Fr.) – Safety – 6’3” – 175 – DeLand, Fla. – DeLand High School

Terry Harden, Jr. (Fr.) – Defensive Back – 6’1” – 185 – Hollywood, Fla. – Hollywood Hills High School

Offensive Line

 Trevin Huff (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’4” – 270 – Tallahassee, Fla. – Tallahassee Lincoln High School 

*Mike Jones (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’7” – 300 – Chatham, Va. – Hargrave Military

Dariusz Bladek (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’4” – 300 – Kissimmee, Fla. – Poinciana High School

*Rashard Brown (Jr.) – Offensive Line – 6’1” – 305 – Kissimmee, Fla. – Georgia Military College

Jamel Turner (Jr.) – Tight End – 6’4” – 230 – Chicago, Ill. – Reedly College

Tim Nicholas (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’4 – 275 – Hollywood, Fla. – Chaminade-Madonna Prep

Wide Receiver

Ray Martin (Fr.) – Wide Receiver – 5’10” – 180 – Sanford, Fla. – Seminole High School

*Brodrick Waters (Sr.) – Wide Receiver – 5’11” – 195 – Sarasota, Fla. – Louisiana Tech

Linebackers

Isaiah Riddle (Fr.) – Linebacker – 6’1” – 235 – Newnan, Ga. – Atlanta Sports Academy

Florida Classic could see Millionth Fan

Bethune Band

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.