We Got The Finish – Wildcats Take Down Jackson State 24-21 in Battle for 1st Place

October 26, 2026October 26, 2026 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Heading into the 2026 football season, there was a popular thought circulating around HBCU football circles. That thought was Bethune-Cookman might have a little something to say about who wins the SWAC East.

The thinking was that the Wildcats could play spoiler to one of the division’s preseason favorites, Alabama State or Jackson State.

Well, the Wildcats handled Alabama State in early October. And there they stood Saturday afternoon in Daytona Beach, trailing defending SWAC East champion Jackson State 21-17, facing 3rd-and-11 from the Tigers’ 19-yardline with under a minute remaining.

Quarterback Tyler Jefferson took the snap and looked left. First read wasn’t there. He stepped up in the pocket. Nothing. Jefferson scrambled right, buying just enough time to spot Rickie Shaw working his way across the field.

Shaw found a sliver of daylight in the right corner of the end zone.

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!

Bethune-Cookman 24. Jackson State 21.

Forty seconds remaining.

Pandemonium swept through the stadium as Shaw celebrated with his Kappa Alpha Psi shimmy!

But for a few of us, there was no pandemonium. Not yet.

We’ve been here before.

You know, this close to a win only to watch it slip through your fingers in the most agonizing fashion.

So while the stadium erupted, a few of us suspended our excitement and began an almost ritualistic chant:

“WE GOT TO FINISH! WE GOT TO FINISH!”

Heck, Athletic Director Reggie Theus was standing in that same end zone where Shaw had just scored. Amid the celebration, he looked me squarely in the eyes and said the exact same thing.

“We got to finish.”

Jackson State took the ensuing possession and marched into field goal range with six ticks remaining.

Here we go again.

But something funny happened.

The winds that had seemingly calmed down from the earlier downpour picked up almost on cue, blowing toward the left of the uprights.

Good snap.

Good hold.

Good contact.

But Andrew Ivaniciuc’s 49-yard attempt sailed left as time expired.

WILDCATS WIN!

What an ending.

What. A. Game.

And just like that, Bethune had knocked off the defending SWAC East champions, 24-21, and moved into a tie for first place in the division.

The Wildcats found a way to finish.

Was it a perfect game? Absolutely not. But that’s kinda what’s encouraging about this win. BCU left plenty opportunities on the field. But they were able to overcome their own mistakes, and STILL take down the Tigers. That says an awful lot about where Coach Raymond Woodie has this program right now.

The question now is was Saturday simply a big win, or was it an announcement?

You know, the kind of victory that shifts not just the momentum of a season, but the trajectory of a program.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, AND MORE DEFENSE

As dramatic as Jefferson’s game winning touchdown pass was, the real story Saturday was Bethune’s suffocating defense.

The Wildcats slowed down Jackson State’s vaunted rushing attack and controlled their offense as a whole.

Consider these numbers from BCU’s defense

held JSU to 33 rushing yards on 36 attempts.
13-of-28 passing, under 50 percent.
10 tackles for loss.
4 sacks.
1 forced fumble.

Pure dominance.

Stephen Sparrow was everywhere, collecting 11 tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss.

Isaiah Washburn wasn’t far behind, recording seven tackles, a sack, and three tackles for loss.

The Wildcats pressured, pressured, and pressured the Tigers bringing 5 or 6 defenders on seemingly 90% of the snaps.

Offensively, Jefferson once again showed why his emergence has been one of the more intriguing developments of this season.

A week after providing the spark against Mississippi Valley State, Jefferson delivered three touchdown passes against Jackson State.

A 21-yarder to Josh Evans.

A 33-yarder to Rashon Brown.

And, of course, the 19-yard game winner to Rickie Shaw.

Jefferson hasn’t solved every issue with Bethune’s passing game. But he’s demonstrating a knack for making big plays when the Wildcats need them most. Plus he is a huge asset in the running game.

A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON

Here’s something you probably wouldn’t know unless you’re a football nerd like me.

Before BCU entered the SWAC, the Wildcats actually held a slightly better all-time historical winning percentage than Jackson State.

Heading into the 2020 season, the historical records looked like this:

Think about that for a moment.

For all the deserved attention JSU has has received throughout the years, Bethune-Cookman has its own rich football tradition.

But since joining the SWAC, the programs have traveled vastly different roads.

JSU has been one of the conference’s standard bearers, collecting SWAC championships and national attention.

Meanwhile, BCU has been fighting to rediscover the winning tradition that once made the Wildcats one of the most respected programs in HBCU football.

And that’s why Saturday mattered.

Not simply because Bethune beat Jackson State.

But because Jackson State represents the level BCU is trying to get back to.

The question surrounding this program has been whether the Wildcats could once again compete consistently with the SWAC’s best.

Well, on Saturday, they didn’t just compete. They won.

NOW COMES THE FUN PART

Let’s see how the Wildcats handle success.

But something about this victory and their recent play tells me they will.

Maybe it’s the way the defense has developed into one of the conference’s most disruptive units.

Maybe it’s Jefferson’s emergence.

Or perhaps it’s the growing confidence of a team that is beginning to believe it belongs in the championship conversation.

Will this be the catalyst that returns the Wildcats to the ranks of year in and year out contenders?

We don’t know that yet.

But we do know this: The Wildcats are contenders RIGHT NOW.

THE PATH FORWARD

The most straightforward path to the SWAC East crown is simple enough.

Win out and hope Alabama A&M drops a game.

If that happens, Bethune wins the East.

There are other potential scenarios, but with several weeks of football remaining, it’s far too early to start untangling every possible tiebreaker.

The Wildcats have more immediate concerns.

Get healthy.

Stay focused.

And take care of business against Arkansas-Pine Bluff this weekend.

Saturday was a huge win. Perhaps the biggest of the Raymond Woodie era.

But if this team wants to turn a signature victory into a championship season, it has to embrace the very words that echoed through the stadium during those final 40 seconds.

WE GOT TO FINISH.

Gameday Photos Against JSU

BIG Bounce Back! Bethune-Cookman Takes Down Valley 34–14

October 18, 2026October 21, 2026 / J Bell / Leave a comment

You know what’s great about college football? EVERYTHING.

It’s the greatest sport on earth. And part of what makes it so amazing is its unpredictability.

I mean, look at the chaos surrounding the Wacky SWAC over the past two weeks. Or consider the madness in the AP Top 10, where five of the nation’s top seven teams fell yesterday.

Then there are our Wildcats, whom many were ready to write off following last week’s hurricane drenched contest.

But in the immortal words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend!”

Bethune-Cookman answered the bell Saturday with a BIG bounce-back win in the Delta, taking down Mississippi Valley State 34–14.

I know. There will be a bunch of folks who dismiss this as merely a game BCU was supposed to win.

But remember, Valley entered Saturday as one of the hottest teams in the conference, fresh off back-to-back victories over reigning SWAC champion Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern. There were plenty of the self-proclaimed, social media prognosticators who even picked the Wildcats to fall.

Instead, Bethune delivered a businesslike performance, controlling the contest from start to finish.

Defense Sets the Tone

First, BCU’s defense was absolutely lights out.

Outside of a handful of plays where you simply tip your cap to quarterback Josh Brown and the Valley offense, the Wildcats smothered the Delta Devils’ rushing attack and extinguished their aerial assault.

By day’s end, BCU had forced 4 turnovers, registered 6 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, and held Valley to just 14 points.

No one had a bigger hand in that than Jaden Davis.

The redshirt junior safety out of Tampa’s Plant High School had an afternoon he will one day tell his grandkids about.

Three interceptions. A scoop and score fumble return touchdown. Nine tackles. A sack. And a tackle for loss.

Yeah, take a bow young king!

But this was hardly a one man show.

Keyontae Byas tied a NCAA record with 9 pass breakups. Joseph Evans added two sacks and three tackles for loss, Steven Sparrow and Isaiah Washburn also got into the backfield for sacks and tackles for loss.

Just a tremendous afternoon for the Wildcat defense.

Jefferson Answers the Call

On the offensive side, you have to give a HUGE shout out to quarterback Tyler Jefferson for his performance in relief of the injured Amari Jones.

Jones moved the football effectively during the opening possessions but appeared to reaggravate the ankle injury that has sidelined him for much of the season.

Enter Jefferson.

The sophomore quarterback stepped in and delivered exactly what the Wildcats needed. He finished the afternoon responsible for four touchdowns; two rushing and two passing.

Both touchdown passes went to Rickie Shaw II, and both covered 23 yards.

Jefferson didn’t need to be Superman. He simply took advantage of the opportunities in front of him, made the right plays, delivered the ball on time, and helped the Wildcats put Valley away.

And considering the criticism and struggles surrounding BCU’s quarterback play this season, you have to be happy for Jefferson.

Great job, TJ. Here’s hoping for more of the same in the weeks ahead.

Right Back in the Hunt

Speaking of the weeks ahead, here’s where things get interesting.

BCU finds itself tied atop the SWAC East standings, with Jackson State preparing to come to town.

And in a league as unpredictable as the Wacky SWAC, that’s exactly where you want to be.

I’m not sure what the social media experts will predict about the JSU game.

What I do suspect is that when Bethune plays the kind of football we witnessed Saturday… opportunistic on defense, timely offensive execution, and disciplined, complementary football, the Wildcats can compete with and beat anybody in this conference.

Last week, we asked, “What’s next for BCU?”

We got that answer: a Big Bounce Back!

Now let’s keep it going!

Hail Wildcats!

Top 5 Victories of Sims Era

August 19, 2019August 19, 2019 / J Bell / Leave a comment

To all of the ‘armchair quarterbacks’, ‘expert second-guessers’ and ‘guys who think they know more about football than those who actually get paid for it’; I have excellent news for you. Our busy season is upon us. By this time next week, we get to fuss, yell and rave over our first 2019 results and I cannot wait.

Before we look ahead at the season to come, let’s first look back at some of Bethune’s best moments under now fifth year head coach Terry Sims. Here are the Wildcats’ Top 5 Victories under Terry Sims as ranked by the staff at HailWildcats.com.

Wildcats Weather Storm to Beat Southeastern Louisiana University on the Road (2017)

The Bethune-Cookman football team stepped into Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, Louisiana with their hearts filled pending the looming threat of Hurricane Irma bearing down on their loved ones back home in Florida. By night’s end, BCU weathered a different kind of storm overcoming 3 turnovers, a rash of penalties and a 4^th quarter deficit to defeat Southland Conference foe Southeastern Louisiana 28-23.

The Wildcats racked up 482 yards of total offense in the contest including 354 yards passing from Larry Brihm. Despite the offensive explosion and the defense limiting SELA to under 300 yards of total offense, Sims men entered the 4^th quarter trailing 16-14. Brihm connected with Jawill Davis for a 2 yard touchdown reception at the 11:00 mark and ran for a 1 yard touchdown with 4:34 left on the clock to push BCU ahead for good 28-26.

Defensive backs Trevor Merritt, Diquan Richardson and Elliott Miller all snagged interceptions in the contest with Miller’s coming via the one handed variety. The Wildcat defense sealed the contest by turning over SELA on downs with 1:27 left on the game clock.

It was a great win, against a quality opponent, under adverse circumstances.

Oh Hail Mary…Oh Hail Yeah (2017)

The 2017 matchup against North Carolina Central was an ugly game for 59 minutes and 57 seconds. The game was sloppy, the score at halftime was 0-0 and our beloved Wildcats only amassed 178 yards of total offense while racking up 8 penalties for 100 yards. That’s bad…but like so many of the recent BCU vs NCCU contests, the final seconds were filled with drama. Central scored its first touchdown of the evening with 16 seconds remaining giving them what seemed to be a certain victory. However, on the game’s final play from scrimmage, quarterback Larry Brihm rolled to his left, fired up a 48 yard Hail Mary and had his prayer answered in the hands of Keavon Mitchell.

The Wildcats escaped another visit to Durham with a last second 13-10 dramatic win.

FAMU’s Title Hope’s Crushed as BCU Secures 8^th Straight Florida Classic Win (2018)

So here is the scene: the Mighty Rattlers from the Highest of Seven Hills entered the 2018 Florida Blue Florida Classic with a shot to earn a share of the MEAC crown and punch their first ever ticket to the Celebration Bowl. All that stood in between them and Atlanta was 11 yards of contested field, 52,142 screaming fans and a Bethune-Cookman team that had defeated them seven straight years.

This was a dream scenario for FAMU. This is why we love sports. These are the moments athletes dream about night after night, year after year, practice after practice. Unfortunately, for FAMU, some dreams do not come true and turn into the nightmares instead.

Trailing by 7 points, the FAMU offense drove to the BCU 11 yard line with 17 seconds remaining in the game. FAMU quarterback Ryan Stanley was forced outside of the pocket by BCU’s Marcus Ford and tossed a pass into the flat. The Wildcat’s Tydarius Peters had a beat on the quarterback, stepped in front of Stanley’s pass and returned it 90 yards untouched to secure the Wildcat’s 8^th straight victory in the contest.

All Florida Classic victories are special but this was a little more so considering the dramatic ending and all that was on the line.

NCCU Blocked…Well First there was a Goal line Stand and then BLOCKED (2015)

Like the #5 game on this list, this was another contest impacted by a fast approaching hurricane. The threat of inclement weather forced the 2015 matchup against North Carolina Central to be moved up a few hours. The soggy conditions led to a sloppy first half with BCU carrying a 7-6 lead into intermission.

Thankfully both teams grew into the game and the second half came to life with a six touchdown explosion . NCCU scored the first 3 touchdowns of the 3^rd quarter while BCU ended the contest with the final 3 touchdowns. Quentin Williams hooked up with Jawill Davis for two 29 yard touchdowns but it was Michael Jones’ 6 yard run that put the Cats ahead 28-26.

Central had one last opportunity to overcome Bethune’s rally and drove the ball as deep as the 1 yard line on their final drive. The Central ball carrier’s helmet crossed the goal line but the Wildcats kept the ball from breaking the plane. The Eagles lined up for a go-ahead field goal that was shorter than an extra point. Easy right! Game over…’Not so fast my friend’ as Lee Corso would say.

Elliot Miller came off the edge and BLOCKED Central’s 16 yard field goal try.

So to recap, we had a change in game time, a 19-point deficit overturned, a goal line stand and a blocked chip shot field goal for the win. I think that is enough to qualify this as a great win.

Never as Good as the First Time (2015)

Terry Sims first win as a head coach came on the hallowed grounds of Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium, included 1047 yards of combined offense, 109 total points and a 56-53 win over Grambling State University. We are not exactly sure how Coach Sims dreamed up his first win but we are pretty sure it wasn’t like this.

Quarterbacks Quentin Williams (244) and Larry Brihm (219) combined to pass for 463 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jawill Davis finished the contest with 8 receptions for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Williams started the game under center but an ineffective start and a hot GSU offense forced Coach Sims into a quarterback change in attempts of sparking his team. Brihm entered in relief and did just that.

The Wildcats and Tigers entered halftime tied 14-14 but that is when the real fun began. The G-Men wrestled back the momentum in the contest and pushed their second half advantage to 39-28. The Tigers strong play in the third quarter forced Sims to boldly but correctly switch quarterbacks again and Williams re-entered the game and quickly led the Wildcats on an eight play scoring drive. Less than two minutes later, Williams engineered another scoring drive giving BCU its first second half lead 41-39.

Bethune and Grambling exchanged leads for the remainder of the contest and combined for 81 points after intermission. Fortunately, for the visitors from Daytona, time expired while BCU was still leading 56-53.

The win helped propel Sims to his best ever record (9-2) and his only share of the MEAC title.

Sims and his men will look to secure another early season win over a SWAC opponent when they face off against Jackson State next Sunday, September 1st at 3:00pm in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Wildcats are 2-0 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge claiming a 38-28 win over Alabama State in 2012 and a 63-14 victory over Prairie View A&M in 2011.

As always, HailWildcats.com will be there to bring you the best fan perspective of the 2019 football season.

Jenkins Declines Jackson State Interview — Statement from Brian Jenkins

January 9, 2014 / J Bell / 4 Comments

Bethune-Cookman University head football coach Brian Jenkins has declined to interview for the vacant head coaching position at Jackson State University. Jenkins, officially considered a candidate for the open head coaching position at JSU, made the announcement on Thursday afternoon. Through an official from the B-CU Department of Athletics, Jenkins released a quote on his decision to decline the next step in possible talks with Jackson State.

“I am honored to have a school with a rich history of football like Jackson State University consider me for their head coaching vacancy,” said Jenkins. “It not only speaks volumes about how highly they think of me and my coaching philosophy, but also that of my coaching staff. After all, none of the success we’ve enjoyed over the last four years would be possible without a dedicated staff and great student-athletes. A year ago this time, Dr. Edison O. Jackson and Lynn Thompson showed their tremendous support not only of me, but towards my staff and family, when they extended my contract at Bethune-Cookman University. I said then that I had a goal to achieve. And since I’ve yet to achieve that goal, I stay firmly committed to believing B-CU is the place where that goal can be achieved in the future.

“Again, I want to thank Vivian Fuller and Jackson State for noticing what my staff and I have done here at B-CU, and believing it would take the JSU football program to even greater heights. I thank them for their consideration, but I thank B-CU even more for its love and support. We have a good nucleus of student-athletes coming back in 2014. Mixed with the strong recruiting class we’re expecting to sign next month, I believe we are poised to do something special for Wildcats Nation next season. And it’s something everyone should want to be a part of.”