MEAC, Ohio Valley trust change is in the air

October 14, 2013October 13, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Credits: TSU Athletics

By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Is this finally the year? That’s what teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Ohio Valley Conference have been asking themselves for too long.

They’re hoping the first half of the season suggests the FCS playoffs will be different – for whomever comes out of their respective conference.

But they might have an idea already the way OVC front-runners Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State and MEAC leaders Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State are playing this season. All four could be postseason-bound.

Both conferences are steeped in tradition, but, incredibly, a MEAC team has not won an FCS playoff game since 1999 and the OVC has been shut out since 2000.

UT Martin coach Jason Simpson said at OVC media day that the lack of playoff success is the “thorn in our (the conference’s) side right now.” South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough says success in the playoffs “is at a real, real high level. Until as a (MEAC) league we all get there, I don’t know if any individual can rise above it enough to hang in the league with the CAA and with the Southern Conference and those kinds of leagues.”

Coaches in both conferences point to difficult first-round matchups as the main reason for the playoff failure. When the playoffs were 16 teams deep, the MEAC sometimes ran into a regional road block against the CAA or SoCon, and the OVC champ sometimes ran into a Missouri Valley Football Conference team, and, in three different years from 2001-10, the eventual national champion, in an early round game.

This year’s results can’t be denied, however. The playoffs will expand from 20 to 24 teams, and both conferences could have two playoff qualifiers each.

In the OVC, No. 5-ranked Eastern Illinois (5-1) has basically had the best results of any team in the FCS, starting with a three-touchdown win at San Diego State and victories over Southern Illinois, Illinois State and Eastern Kentucky, losing only to Northern Illinois. The Jimmy Garoppolo express is on another level this season and the Panthers could be headed toward being a seeded team.

Tennessee State (6-1) might have the type of stingy defense to stop EIU, and the road-tested the Tigers hope to win the OVC’s automatic bid. The Tigers have only lost by a field goal to Bethune-Cookman

Speaking of whom, Bethune-Cookman (5-1) could enter the picture as the MEAC’s best hope to the playoff drought. Like Eastern Illinois, the Wildcats have a win over an FBS team (FIU) and their only loss was to another FBS opponent (Florida State).

They hosted playoff games in 2010 and last year, and have no intention of coughing up another home game if they have one this season.

But Bethune-Cookman may not even be the MEAC’s top club. South Carolina State (5-2) has reeled off five straight wins, including a sweep of North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central in a five-day span, to make a statement after having a rare subpar season under coach Buddy Pough. Their losses are only to Clemson and unbeaten Coastal Carolina.

South Carolina State hosts Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 26, which is also the date of the Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State showdown.

Veterans at quarterback and playmakers on defenses link the four teams. Victories in the playoffs may link them by season’s end.

Read on: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4631160

Wildcats take on Bison

October 12, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

WASHINGTON, DC — This Saturday’s matchup between Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 1-0 in the MEAC) and Howard University (1-4, 0-2 in the MEAC) pits the MEAC’s top offense against the league’s best defense.

BCU currently sits atop the conference rankings in both Total Defense (274.8 ypg) and Scoring Defense (18 ppg) while HU leads the MEAC in Total Offense (396.4) and Passing Offense (239.4). The Bison offense is directed by junior quarterback Greg McGhee who leads the conference in total yards (1414), passing yards (1153), and passing touchdowns (10); and only trails BCU’s Quentin Williams in passing efficiency and completion percentage. McGhee is coming off a stellar performance last week against North Carolina Central in which he completed 31 of 48 attempts for 328 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions in a 28-37 loss.

McGhee has the luxury of throwing to 3 of the league’s Top 10 receivers in Jonathan Booker, Brandon Flanagan, and Stewart Hartman.

Despite the numbers, the Bison have struggled to translate their offensive proficiency into wins. HU pulled off a near upset in Week One against FBS foe Eastern Michigan and defeated Division II Morehouse a week later. Since then, the Bison have lost three consecutive contests being outscored 140-66 in the process.

The Wildcats (who are ranked 13^th in the FCS Coaches poll and 16^th in the Sports Network Media poll) shook off a sluggish first half against Delaware State last week in route to their 14^th consecutive MEAC win. BCU’s consecutive game win streak stretches back to October 20, 2011.

The Cats racked up 409 yards of offense against DSU including 241 yards on the ground. Four BCU running backs rushed for at least 40 yards in the contest (Cary White (65), Anthony Jordan (61), Isidore Jacskon (54) and Drexler Dixon (40)) while senior wide receiver Eddie Poole added 4 catches for 103 yards with 1 touchdown through the air.

Defensively, the Wildcats have registered 6 interceptions, 15 sacks and 36 tackles for loss this season. The aggressive and opportunistic BCU defense could be poised to have another big afternoon against HU’s high volume pass attack.

Jarkevis Fields pace the Cats D with 30 tackles while Dyron Dye leads the way with 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 3 sacks.
Other notes:

-BCU leads the overall series against HU 17-13-1 and have won 4 straight against the Bison.

-Howard University has billed Saturday’s contest as “Think Pink Day” and encourage all game attendees to wear something pink in support of breast cancer awareness. Perhaps Bethune will oblige by wearing the highly anticipated pink helmets….hmmmmm! We shall see.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00.

Courtesy of BCU Athletics

Who Will Ascend (week two) vs. Virginia Union

September 7, 2013September 7, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Dion Hanks

After a hard fought 12-9 road victory over Tennessee State last Sunday, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats return to the friendly confines of Municipal Stadium to take on the Virginia Union Panthers in today’s home opener.

Like Tenn State, Virginia Union will field a bevy of Floridians (19 are listed on VUU’s roster including 5 from Sanford Seminole) who would love nothing more than to shock the HBCU sports world by upsetting the top ranked team in black college football. But unlike TSU, Virginia Union, who competes in Division II, does not stand much of a chance in pulling off the upset against Brian Jenkins’ club.

The Panthers finished 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the CIAA a season ago. VUU was predicted to finish 8^th in their conference heading into this season; they can offer just over half the number of scholarships as BCU (NCAA rules limit full football scholarships to 36 for D2 institutions; as compared to 63 for FCS programs); and today’s game is VUU’s season opener. All signs suggest this should be a decisive BCU win. But hey, its football and you still have to line-up and play the game.

In fact, Wildcat fans should well remember the last time a CIAA team visited Daytona Beach (in 2009) the Shaw Bears forced 7 BCU turnovers and may have helped seal the fate of then head coach Alvin Wyatt Sr. as the Bears defeated the Wildcats 20-6. We expect no such recurrence today. The Wildcats are simply too big, too strong, too fast and they should have no problems imposing their will on the out-manned Panthers.

Look for the BCU running game, led by senior Isidore Jackson, to have a huge day. Jackson is now less than 400 yards away from becoming Bethune-Cookman’s all-time leading rusher. Senior wide out Eddie Poole will look to continue his consecutive game pass-catching streak. No word yet on who will start under center for BCU but expect to see multiple signal callers during the course of today’s action.

Defensively, linebacker Jarkevis Fields and defensive end LeBrandon Richardson paced the Cats with 10 tackles apiece last week. Defensive tackle Tevin Toney proved to be a disruptive force in the interior adding 7 tackles of his own including 2 tackles-for-loss. The Wildcat defense should have little trouble in establishing a new line of scrimmage and pressuring the VUU attack.

Hidden Yards Kudos

Perhaps an “under the radar” bright spot from last week’s contest were the BCU return units. Freshman kick returner Darian Baker averaged 35.5 yards per kick return (long of 41) and Preston Cleckley averaged over 20 yards per punt return (long of 34) in last week’s matchup. It was a small sampling but so far, so good in the all-important “hidden yards” department. Another “hidden yards” category in which BCU thrived in week one was the penalty department. The Wildcats limited themselves to just 5 penalties for 35 yards. Let’s hope BCU continue to show improvement in these “hidden yards” categories in this game and throughout the course of the season.

Excited to see…..

We have been hearing great things about BCU’s new and improved cheerleading squad. The cheer squad is now under the direction of Becky and John Woodson and will consist of 30 members and 4 alternates. The Wildcat cheer squad recently collected a second place finish in ‘fight song cheer’, fourth place finish in ‘sideline cheer’, and were 4^th overall in the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp in Philadelphia. We are looking forward to seeing the results of the hard work and dedication of the revamped cheer squad.

We are also excited to see the new, more energized and better organized student-led cheer section known as the “Wildcat Crazies”. Face-paint, body suits, and organized pandemonium, let’s see what you Crazy-Cats have in store for us this season.

Wildcats escape Nashville with 12-9 win

September 2, 2013September 2, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Jordan Murphy hauled in a 6 yard TD pass from Jackie Wilson with 5:01 remaining in the 4^th quarter giving Bethune-Cookman a 12-9 lead over Tennessee State and the game’s only touchdown. The Wildcats held on by the same scoreline and walked out of Sunday night’s John Merritt Classic with its 2^nd victory over TSU in 8 tries.

Bethune dominated the opening quarter scoring on its first two possessions and limiting the TSU offense to no points and just 35 yards of offense in the process.

The only thing BCU did wrong in the opening frame was not score touchdowns. Instead, the Cats were forced to settle on two made field goals by Werley Cagle (21, 30 ) for an early 6-0 lead. Quarterback Brodrick Waters’ 33 yard strike to Preston Cleckley aided in setting up BCU’s initial score.

Tennessee State got its first points of the night in the 2^nd quarter after Cagle botched the snap on a punt and was unable to get the kick away. TSU took over on the Wildcat 5 yard line but a stout BCU defense limited to damage to just 3 points. A second Jamin Godfrey field goal tied the game at 6 apiece heading into the half.

The Blue Tigers took advantage of its first possession of the second half and marched 86 yards on 18 plays covering 10:22. Godfrey’s 26 yard field goal gave TSU its first and only lead of the night.

But the Wildcats were not to be denied. BCU sealed the victory when Wilson connected with Murphy on a 6 yard TD strike in the left endzone which capped a 12 play, 71 yard scoring drive. Wilson went 4-4 for 40 yards on the game clinching drive.

Defensively, the Wildcats held Tennessee State without a touchdown and limited the Tigers to just 248 yards of offense.

All-American Tackle Terrance Hackney Academically Ineligible

August 10, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

The Bethune-Cookman football team will be without the services of All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney when they take to the gridiron this season. Sources close to the program have stated Hackney is academically ineligible this season.

The 6-6, 310 pound junior from Chapel Hill, NC helped anchor the MEAC’s top offense in 2012 and earned numerous All-American honors including Lindy’s 2013 Preseason All-FCS First Team and Sports Network 2013 All-FCS Second Team recognition.

Sources state an official release regarding Hackney’s status is expected on Monday.

Additionally, class of 2012 signee and highly regarded wide receiver Ray Martin has also left the program. According to online reports, Martin has transferred to Fresno City College in California

5 Questions from Fall Camp

August 3, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

The Bethune-Cookman football team has enjoyed a prolific run of success under the leadership of now 4^th year head coach Brian Jenkins. Over the past 3 seasons, the Jenkins led Wildcats have accumulated the highest winning percentage of all Division I (FBS and FCS) football programs in the state of Florida; BCU has earned 2 MEAC titles during that span; and they are currently riding a 14 game conference winning streak.

14 starters return to the offensive and defensive units (7 on each side) this season. Among those returning are 2013 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Jarkevis Fields (linebacker), and 2013 MEAC Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Isidore Jackson (running back). The Beach Cats led the conference in Total Offense (387.9 yards per game) and ranked 7^th Nationally in Total Defense (301.4 yards per game) a season ago.

In less than 30 days, the Wildcats will carry their talented squad and extremely high expectations into Nashville to square off against fellow Top 25 foe Tennessee State.

Here are 5 key storylines to watch throughout Fall Camp as BCU continues its pursuit of becoming one of the nation’s premier FCS programs.

How Well/Quickly Will the Offensive Line Gel?

BCU suffered its greatest attrition from a season ago along the offensive line. All-MEAC first teamer Alex Monroe and capable starter Rashard Brown will look to anchor the unit. Brian Dorsey, Michael Jones, and Josue Joseph are all highly talented players who have played quality minutes at the collegiate level. The trio will have first dibs at claiming the 3 vacant starting roles along the offensive front this season.

The Wildcats signed 6 quality offensive linemen on signing day including 2 JUCO transfers; and if history is any indicator, coach Jenkins’ has one or two transfer offensive linemen walking around campus whose identities will remain concealed until kickoff draws near.

There is no shortage of talent or bodies at this position. The question is will this group gel quickly enough and well enough to help BCU lead the MEAC in Total Offense for a 4^th consecutive year?

Will the Passing Game Progress in 2013?

The overall success of this year’s team may very well come down to how effective the Wildcats will be in the passing game. The Beach Cats passed for a pedestrian 147 yards per game and only eclipsed the 200 yard passing mark in one contest last season.

Top pass catching target Eddie Poole returns for another year as does big play potential receivers Preston Cleckley and Jhomo Gordon. CFPA Awards Watch transfer tight end Justin Henderson is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and provides the Wildcats with another quality pass catching option.

Jackie Wilson, Quentin Williams, and Brodrick Waters are in their 4^th, 3^rd, and 2^nd year respectively in this offense. Brian Jenkins has repeatedly stated that all three quarterbacks are capable of leading the Wildcat offense, but if BCU is to truly take that next step, at least one of the aforementioned signal callers will need to elevate the passing game into a more lethal component of the BCU attack.

Who Will Emerge as the Team Leaders?

Coaches lay the foundation and parameters of a successful program, but players lead players. BCU received a great deal of on the field and emotional leadership from players like D.J. Howard, Eugene Solomon and Dawud Lane last season. All three have moved on and a new crop of vocal, performance and emotional leaders must now emerge.

Speaking about leadership only excites coaches, but it is as critical to a team success as 1,000 yard rushers and All-American quarterbacks.

What Newcomer Will Have the Greatest Impact?

Justin Henderson has yet to play an official down for the Maroon and Gold, yet the transfer from the University of Memphis has already been named to the CFPA Awards Watch list for tight ends. Henderson enjoyed a highly productive spring campaign and will look to provide BCU quarterbacks with a security blanket and matchup advantage in the passing game this coming fall. On the defensive side of the ball, University of Miami transfer Thomas Finnie will likely compete for one of the starting cornerback spots and help bolster a defensive backfield which led the country in takeaways last season.

Returning players Anthony Jordan (RB) and Erik Williams (DL) possess all-conference level talent and will surely be highly impactful this season if they can overcome the injury bug.

How Well Will the Team Handle Expectations?

Bethune-Cookman received 16 of the 21 first place votes casted in the MEAC’s annual preseason poll. The Wildcats are coming off a perfect 8-0 mark in conference in 2012. Brian Jenkins’ squad is sure to get every team’s best effort in the 2013 campaign. If the Wildcats wish to defend The Belt, they must stay emotionally and physically engaged for 12 weeks next season.

Bethune-Cookman travels to Nashville on Sunday, September 1st for a 7:00 P.M. kickoff against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic. The Wildcats are 3-0 in season openers under the leadership of head coach Brian Jenkins.

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

July 27, 2013July 27, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

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

BCU scores highest mark in the conference on latest NCAA APR Report

June 11, 2013July 27, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Congratulations to the Bethune-Cookman football team for registering the conference’s highest mark on the latest NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Report.

The NCAA uses the APR to measure eligibility and retention of student-athletes, which it considers a predictor of graduation rates. A score of 925 is considered equivalent to a 50% graduation rate and achieving anything below that number is subject to penalties. The APR is calculated on a rolling four year average commonly referred to as the “multi-year rate”.

Bethune-Cookman registered a multi-year score of 935 on the most recent APR report released on Tuesday. BCU’s 935 was the highest amongst Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football teams. North Carolina Central and Howard, whose football teams logged scores of 932 and 931 respectively, round out the conference’s top three APR performers.

The latest report substantiates BCU’s commitment to develop men on and off the football field. In response to the latest report, BCU athletic director Lynn Thompson stated: “winning the MEAC football crown this year is great. However, having the highest APR score in the league validates for us the commitment of our coaching staff, academic support team and student-athletes in being winners in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community.”

Last year, the NCAA awarded the Wildcat football program the FCS ADA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award for Most Improved MEAC school after improving its APR during the 2010-11 school year.

Academic Progress Rate data for all sports can be accessed at http://web1.ncaa.org/maps/aprRelease.jsp. The teams are searchable by sport, conference, institution, state, year, post season and penalty type.

Multi-Year APR Results for MEAC Football:

Sport	School	State	Academic Year	Multi-Year Rate	Penalties	Postseason
Football	Bethune-Cookman University	FL	2011 – 2012	935
Football	North Carolina Central University	NC	2011 – 2012	932
Football	Howard University	DC	2011 – 2012	931
Football	Morgan State University	MD	2011 – 2012	922
Football	South Carolina State University	SC	2011 – 2012	912
Football	Florida A&M University	FL	2011 – 2012	903
Football	Hampton University	VA	2011 – 2012	901
Football	Delaware State University	DE	2011 – 2012	901
Football	Savannah State University	GA	2011 – 2012	876	Level One Penalty – Practice Reduction = Yes	Postseason Ineligibility = Yes
Football	North Carolina A&T State University	NC	2011 – 2012	874
Football	Norfolk State University	VA	2011 – 2012	864

BCU ranked 17th in Lindy’s Preseason Top 25

May 26, 2013July 27, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

LeBrandon Richardson -HailWildcats.com

Bethune-Cookman picked up its first national ranking of the 2013 season when Lindy’s Magazine ranked the Wildcats 17th in their initial FCS Preseason Poll.

BCU finished 9-3 last season (8-0 in MEAC play) securing its fifth MEAC title and an FCS playoff berth in the process.

Eight offensive starters return from last year’s squad including 1,000 yard rusher Isidore Jackson, leading receiver Eddie Poole and All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney. The Wildcats lead the MEAC in total offense (4,665 yards), rushing offense (2,928 yards), and points per game (29.4) in 2012.

Seven starters, including leading tackler Jarkevis Fields and top sack man LeBrandon Richardson, return to the defensive unit. Last year BCU caused an FCS best 36 takeaways and ranked 7th nationally in total defense (301.42 yards per game).

The Cats open up the 2013 campaign with a trip to Nashville to face off against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic on Sunday, September 1st. Other marquee games include a September 14th matchup with Florida International, a first ever engagement with Florida State on September 21st, a homecoming showdown with South Carolina State on October 26th, and the Florida Classic on November 23rd.

Lindy’s Top 25:
1. North Dakota State 2. Georgia Southern 3. Montana State 4. South Dakota State 5. Wofford 6. Eastern Washington 7. Central Arkansas 8. Towson 9. Villanova 10. Sam Houston State 11. New Hampshire 12. Appalachian State 13. Northern Iowa 14. Stony Brook 15. Coastal Carolina 16. Northern Arizona 17. Bethune-Cookman 18. Eastern Illinois 19. Youngstown State 20. Chattanooga 21. Richmond 22. Illinois St 23. Montana 24. Wagner 25. Tennessee State