NCAA

B-CU Outclasses Edward Waters 35-9

/ bgillens / Leave a comment

DAYTONA BEACH, FL–In a game that was set to be billed as the winless Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman hosting the undefeated Tigers of Edward Waters, the game proved anticlimactic as the B-CU Wildcats jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back en route to a dominating 35-9 victory Saturday.

The game was one in which both the offensive and defensive lines dominated on both sides of the ball, with the offense amassing over 4 total yards (220 on the ground) while the defense sacked EWU four times and forced four turnovers.

Quarterback Cam’Ron Ramsom turned in another efficient performance completing 10 of his 20 passes for three touchdowns. His go to receiver Maleek Huggins, had a monster day hauling in nine passes for 177 yards and two scores.

Pacing the Wildcats defensively was Jaylen Brown, tallying 10 total tackes (2.0 for loss) and two sacks. Johnny Harris, III with his first interception of the season thwarts the Tigers drive giving the Wildcats the ball to start their first drive at their own seven yard line with 12:44 remaining in the first quarter.

A botched 13 yard punt by Edward Waters’ Ryan Gagne gave the Wildcats the ball at the Tiger 25 yard line. Five plays later, facing a third and goal from the EWU 20, Ransom scrambled right and found Maleek Huggins in the back of the end zone who toe tapped before falling out of the end zone. A Juan Dominguez extra point gave BCU a 7-0 lead with 3:07 remaining in the first.

The Wildcats scored their second touchdown late in the second quarter after capping a three play, 45 yard drive with a nine yard pass from Ransom to Alihaja Scott to increase their lead to 14-0 with 3:29 remaining in the first half.

On the ensuing drive, Edward Waters would hit paydirt as Noah Bodden found Makai Lovett for a 23 yard touchdown to cap an eight play, 75 yard drive over 2:00 to cut the Wildcat lead to 14-6 with 1:13 remaining in the half following the failed PAT by Gagne.

Midway through the third quarter, the Wildcat ground game got going with a 75 yard touchdown run for Khamani Robinson, his first of the season to extend the lead for B-CU to 21-6 with 9:27 remaining.

The quick strike Cats found the endzone again with 4:44 remaining in the 3rd as Ransom found Huggins for an 82 yard catch and score to give B-CU a commanding 28-6 advantage as the Marching Pride fired up their rendition of Cameo’s classic “Neck.”

On the very next drive and 1:30 later, self-inflicted penalties would rear its ugly head again for EWU as an errant throw by Bodden fell into the hands of Naim Lassiter at the Tiger 40 yard line and he raced untouched into the end zone to push the B-CU lead to 35-6 with 3:14 remaining in the third ensuring the rout was on in Daytona Beach.

Edward Waters would add a 41 yard field goal by Gagne with 6:04 remaining in the game to cut the BCU lead to 35-9 with 6:04 remaining to close out the scoring.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 1-3 overall, while Edward Waters suffers their first defeat of the 2025 football campaign

Wildcats Flex Their Muscle and Find that Winning Feeling Again!

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Credits: Bethune-Cookman University

Bethune-Cookman hosted Edward Waters in their first home game of the season this past Saturday.

7,927 fans watched BCU thump their Duval brethren 35-9 and quite honestly, Daytona Stadium felt more alive than it has in quite some time.

Coach Woodie’s guys flashed the kind of explosiveness on offense and backbone on defense that fans have been longing for.

By night’s end, BCU racked up 437 yards on offense including 228 on the ground. Defensively, the Cats held EWU’s vaunted offense to just 9 points despite the Tigers scoring over 40 points per game in each of their first three contests.

True Freshman running back, Khamani Robinson, accounted for 114 yards on 12 carries. His 75 yard touchdown run early in the 3rd quarter broke the game wide open. Robinson was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week for his efforts.

Credits: BCU Athletics

Wide receiver Maleek Huggins promised to give the fans a show this season and he certainly did that on Saturday. Huggins racked up 177 yards receiving and two touchdowns. One of the touchdowns was a highlight-reel 82-yard score. It ended with a Michael Jackson inspired touchdown celebration. The senior from Bradenton also received conference honors this week being named Offensive Player of the Week.

Credits: BCU Athletics

Naim Lassiter added a defensive score with a 40 yard pick-six late in the 3rd.

Mini-homecoming spoiled

I’m not gonna lie, it was really cool seeing Brian Jenkins patrolling the sidelines in Daytona. It was also cool seeing Matt Johnson, Ryan Davis, Eddie Poole, and Brian Dorsey on the sidelines. Several other former Wildcats joined them. They took pictures and shared love with their former head coach. Brian Jenkins won 46 games in 5 years as BCU’s head coach so we knew he would have his team prepared and fired up for this game.

And that he did. Just about 9 minutes before kickoff, BCU’s public address announcer, welcomed Edward Waters to the field from the locker room. But there was one big problem, Jenkins wasn’t ready for his team to leave the locker room just yet. So he waited. And waited. And waited until Bethune was invited to take the field. It was only then that he decided it was time to run out.

It was a reminder of everything we love about Brian Jenkins and his teams. Make every contest a dog fight and find any advantage that you can.

Thankfully for Bethune, the pregame happenings had no impact on the outcome of the game. Neither did the FCS Reddit betting odds, which listed the Wildcats as 5.5 point underdogs against their D2 opponent.

Once the ball was kicked off, the bigger, stronger, faster, and better team won.

Relax Cookman Fans and enjoy the moment !

Relax Cookman Fans and enjoy the moment!

Jerry Bell – HailWildcats.com

Let’s be honest — Bethune-Cookman fans have been conditioned by the past few seasons to flinch, even in the presence of good things happening. Call it sports PTSD, call it phantom pains — call it whatever you want to label it, but the scars are real. Years of heartbreak have taught this fanbase to keep its guard up at all times.

We saw it again on Saturday. BCU dominated the first half. However, costly mistakes and a pesky Edward Waters reduced the Wildcats’ lead to just 14-6 at halftime. You could feel the anxiety of the crowd. There was the proverbial “here we go again” echoing around the stadium.

But the good guys rattled off 21 unanswered points in the third and showed their dominance with a 26 point win. Even still, some folks almost didn’t know how to react.

“Should we celebrate?”

“How would Saturday’s performance translate against SWAC competition?”

“Why didn’t the team score 40+ points?”

It was a weird phenomenon but here is what I say to all of this: Relax Cookman Fans and enjoy the moment.

Wins are hard to come by in college football, and when they do come, you’ve got to savor them. So let’s try to forget the scars and live in the moment.

Saturday was fun, and it’s okay to enjoy the moment.

Was it a perfect game?…Well no. But were there big plays to celebrate, defensive swagger, 4 interceptions, 4 sacks, young guys stepping up?… Heck yeah there was and that’s the kind of football that’s worth celebrating. Who knows, if the Wildcats keep stacking performances like this together, Daytona Stadium can start feeling like the fortress it once was. Maybe then the fans can flex their muscles a little too! 💪

StatisticEWUBCU
First Downs
Total2015
Rushing711
Passing104
Penalty30
Rushing
Total (Net)74228
Attempts3041
Avg. Per Rush2.55.6
Rushing TDs01
Yds. Gained137250
Yds. Lost6322
Passing
Total (Net)173209
Comp.-Att.-Int.19–40–413-23-1
Avg. / Att.4.39.1
Avg. / Comp.9.116.1
TDs13
Total Offense
Yards247437
Plays7064
Avg. / Play3.56.8
Fumbles – Lost1-00-0
Penalties – Yds.13–9411-89
Punting
Punts – Yds.7-2305-231
Avg. / Punt32.946.2
Inside 2032
50+ Yds.12
Touchbacks01
Fair Catch30
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.3-1386–349
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff46.058.2
Touchbacks03
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs2–12-01-10-0
Punt: Avg. / Return6.010.0
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs3–59-01-8-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return19.78.0
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs1-0-04–51–1
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-00-0-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards00
Poss. Time30:4929:11
3rd. Down Conv.4 of 156 of 13
4th. Down Conversions1 of 10 of 1
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances1-12–4
Sacks: Total – Yds.3-224–44
PAT: Total – Made0-15–5
2PT Conversion: Total – Made0-00-0
Field Goals: Total – Made1-10-1
QtrTimeScoring PlayEWUBCU
1st03:07BCU – Huggins,Maleek 20 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 5 plays, 25 yards, TOP 02:5707
2nd03:13BCU – Scott Jr.,Alihaja 9 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:13014
2nd01:13EWU – Lovett,Makai 23 yd pass from Bodden,Noah ( ) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:00614
3rd09:27BCU – Robinson,Khamani 75 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 3 plays, 84 yards, TOP 01:32621
3rd04:44BCU – Huggins,Maleek 82 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 5 plays, 92 yards, TOP 02:12628
3rd03:14BCU – Lassiter,Naim 40 yd interception (Dominguez,Juan kick)635
4th06:04EWU – Gagne,Ryan 41 yd field goal 17 plays, 67 yards, TOP 09:16935
935

A Birthday Win for Coach Woodie: Wildcats Rally Past Grambling 24-21 in Thrilling Comeback

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

A Birthday Win for Coach Woodie: Wildcats Rally Past Grambling 24-21 in Thrilling Comeback

Credits: BCU Athletics

If you’ve ever spent time around Coach Raymond Woodie or listened to one of his interviews, you know he’s usually all business — calm, collected, and focused on the task at hand. But after Bethune-Cookman’s thrilling comeback victory over Grambling, Woodie’s usually stoic demeanor gave way to something rare: a big ear-to-ear, cheeseburger smile. This win was a great reminder of the team’s resilience and loyalty to their leader.

Coach Woodie stated in his postgame interview that all he wanted for his birthday was a win. The players seemed determined to grant that wish, and rallied from two 14-point deficits to defeat Grambling 24-21. For a team that’s endured a tough season, this win felt like a gift they had given to one another and their coach.

A Shaky Start and Early Deficit

The game didn’t begin in the Wildcats’ favor. Grambling struck first with a long, 8-play, 89-yard drive that ended in a 22-yard touchdown run by Keilon Elder, putting BCU in an early hole. The situation quickly worsened in the second quarter as Grambling’s Javon Robinson returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. To make matters even more challenging, starting quarterback Luke Sprague went down with a leg injury, thrusting backup Cam Ransom into the spotlight.

Ransom and his teammates rallied together and showed they weren’t about to let Coach Woodie’s birthday wish slip away.

Ransom and the Wildcats Find Their Rhythm

Ransom orchestrated a 7-play, 66-yard drive late in the second quarter connecting with senior Thomas Nance on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7 just before halftime. 

After halftime, Grambling managed one more score on a 9-yard run by Deljay Bailey, stretching the lead back to 21-7; but that would be the last time Grambling would see the end zone. From that point on, BCU’s defense locked down.

The Comeback Begins

Midway through the third quarter, Cade Hechter’s 40-yard field goal brought the Wildcats back within striking distance at 21-10. Then, just minutes later, Ransom struck again. This time on a 58-yard touchdown pass down the seam to senior Darnell Dees. The Wildcats closed the gap to 21-17, and the energy on the sideline went through the roof. It was the most juice we have seen from BCU’s sidelines all season. 

Sealing the Win in Style

As the third quarter wound down, Dennis Palmer delivered the final blow. Palmer broke free on a 42-yard run, the first of his collegiate career. His touchdown put BCU ahead for the first time, 24-21, and that’s where the score would stay.

Ransom finished the day 18 of 20 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats were led defensively by Adrian Hall Jr who had 8 total tackles including 1 for a loss. Orin Patu joined in with 6 tackles, a sack, and 2 tackles for loss. Joshua Thornhill and Caleb Blake each had interceptions, Thornhills killed off the game with 40 seconds remaining in the contest.

Team Stats Recap:

• Total Yards: Grambling 328, BCU 315

• Passing Yards: Grambling 206, BCU 235

• Rushing Yards: Grambling 122, BCU 80

• 3rd Down Conversions: BCU 5-13, Grambling 2-12

• Time of Possession: BCU 30:39, Grambling 29:21

A Birthday to Remember

The Wildcats may not be headed to the postseason play, but they’ve shown they still have plenty of heart and fight. And on this night, they gave Coach Woodie a birthday he — and the fans — won’t soon forget.

BCU Falls to Alabama A&M by “fawty-fo” – Tough Day on The Hill for the Wildcats

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

BCU Falls to Alabama A&M by “fawty-fo”!

Credits: AAMU Athletics

Bethune-Cookman football lost again this past Saturday, and this time it wasn’t even close. Alabama A&M decided they’d use their homecoming to throw themselves a little offensive party against our Wildcats. The final score? 56-12. 

BCU’s defense gave up 701 yards of total offense on the afternoon. You read that right—701 yards. The 56 points were also the most points an Alabama A&M team has ever scored against a BCU squad. These are the kind of numbers that makes you wonder if the players and coaches snuck out a few days early to enjoy AAMU’s homecoming festivities on “The Hill”. Or could there have been other reasons that factored into the good guys not having their best performance on Saturday.

Hurricane Milton 

It would be naive to think Hurricane Milton, which ravaged parts of Florida including parts of the Daytona Beach Area, didn’t play a role in Saturday’s performance. The team left Daytona early in the week as a result of the looming storm. And considering that the campus still has not reopened yet as damage assessments are still underway, you basically  have a team of nomads at this point. So as much as we all love sports and tend to oversimplify what we see on the field of play, this coaching staff is leading a group of 18-23 year olds who are not just wandering around looking for a win, they are also searching for a sense of normalcy at the moment. 

I think you have to consider the human condition when analyzing Saturday’s game but that’s me being rational.  However, judging from reactions on social media, many Cookman fans are not willing to consider the effects of the hurricane on this team’s performance over the weekend. They acknowledge the storm may have knocked the team a little off course, but many fans also point to a pattern of troubling signs that are weeks… heck, years in the making now. 

Did you know that the Wildcats have managed to win just one conference road game since joining the SWAC. One. Uno. That’s it. And if recent performances are any indication, that number may not change when BCU visits Itta Bena to take on winless Mississippi Valley State this weekend. Valley happens to be the only other winless team in the conference right now and they are the lone team BCU has defeated on the road since joining the league. Lose this week against Valley and Bethune quickly goes from a football program that’s struggling at the moment to a program that’s sinking in the storm.

Back to Saturday’s game; Alabama A&M is not some untouchable powerhouse. They are a decent SWAC program with a great offense for certain. But on the other side of the ball, AAMU had been giving up points like Halloween candy all season, yielding 40 points per game heading into Saturday’s matchup. Despite this, Bethune only managed to score one offensive touchdown and were held to just 181 total yards of offense. One hundred and eighty-one. That’s a stat line that’s hard to accept when facing larger FBS squads, but it’s almost unfathomable when playing against a struggling defense in your league. 

Gaining just 181 yards on offense while surrendering 701 yards on defense is a good recipe for getting beat by “fawty”…well 44 actually but you get the point.

As loud as those numbers are, Cookman fans are speaking louder than the final score or stat lines. Fans are tired. They’re frustrated. They’re even becoming apathetic. The once-vibrant BCU football community that rallied around the maroon and gold; and homecoming; and the Florida Classic is starting to make other weekend plans. I mean, when even homecoming and the Classic are met with a shrug, you know that apathy is setting in. There’s a collective “why bother?” spreading through the Wildcat faithful.

So, what can change now? What needs to change to keep this ship from completely capsizing? 

At the top of the list of what needs to change is this team needs to find an identity. Right now, they’re a bunch of guys wearing the same uniform, but there’s no cohesion, no fire, no sense of unified purpose. The frustration that I hear expressed over and over and over again from former Wildcat players, from fans, and even from outside observers is that this just does not look or feel like Bethune-Cookman football.

And it is not just about wins and losses; but a culture of overcoming and making something out of nothing that Bethun-Cookman has always prided  itself on. That’s missing right now. Call me gullible but I still think Coach Raymond Woodie can instill that identity into this squad. It’s just taking far longer than any of us anticipated. 

The offense is broken and currently ranked second to last in the conference in total yards (248.3) and points per game (17.7). The defense has  taken a giant step backwards from last year’s squad and they too are hanging out in embarrassment territory. The defense is last in total defense (516.8 ypg) and second to last in scoring defense (43 ppg). These things are huge problems but how do they fix it over the last half of the season? Is it time to go younger and play more freshmen and sophomores and prepare for next year? Or do they stay the course and just do what they have been doing but just try to be a little better in the execution?

Whether it’s a shift in coaching philosophy, or simply playing with some heart, something’s got to give. Because at this rate, the Wildcats aren’t just losing games—they’re losing their community and their identity. And once that’s gone, it’s a much harder rebuild than just fixing the football team.

StatisticBCUAAM
First Downs
Total1030
Rushing413
Passing614
Penalty03
Rushing
Total (Net)74331
Attempts2550
Avg. Per Rush3.06.6
Rushing TDs17
Yds. Gained110344
Yds. Lost3613
Passing
Total (Net)107370
Comp.-Att.-Int.12-27-018–29–1
Avg. / Att.4.012.8
Avg. / Comp.8.920.6
TDs01
Total Offense
Yards181701
Plays5279
Avg. / Play3.58.9
Fumbles – Lost1-13-0
Penalties – Yds.9–694-27
Punting
Punts – Yds.7–2792-46
Avg. / Punt39.923
Inside 2030
50+ Yds.00
Touchbacks00
Fair Catch60
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.3-1769–299
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff58.733.2
Touchbacks10
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-00-0-0
Punt: Avg. / Return00
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs6–46-02-25-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return7.712.5
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs1–91–10-0-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-01-0-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards080
Poss. Time23:1236:48
3rd. Down Conv.5 of 148 of 12
4th. Down Conversions0 of 21 of 1
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances1-26–7
Sacks: Total – Yds.2-13–29
PAT: Total – Made0-28–8
2PT Conversion: Total – Made0-00-0
Field Goals: Total – Made0-00-1

Bethune-Cookman at a Crossroads: Alabama State Showdown Holds the Key to the Season

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Bethune-Cookman at a Crossroads: Alabama State Showdown Holds the Key to the Season


Photo by David Campbell/Alabama State University

Bethune-Cookman football is at a pivotal moment. At the start of the season, I felt the two most important games of the year would be:  1) the game against Mercer to determine how BCU stacked up against FCS playoff caliber programs; and 2) the first SWAC matchup against Alabama State as it sets the tone for conference play.  

Well we are here now. Today’s game against Alabama State is more than just another Saturday under the sun—it’s a fork in the road that could define this season and beyond. With a win, the Wildcats will sit atop the SWAC East despite the early season struggles.  But with a loss, the downward spiral accelerates, and the voices of doubt—already echoing through the stands—will only grow louder.

The scars of last week’s stunning 37-38 defeat to Division II Clark Atlanta  are still fresh. Losing to a lower-tier SIAC opponent left the fan base reeling, and understandably so. But before we allow despair to overtake us, let’s remember that Alabama State is no stranger to stumbling against SIAC foes themselves. Last season, they fell to Miles College 17-21 and Tuskegee has been a constant thorn in their side  going 4-4 with the Hornets over the past 8 seasons.

It is a reminder that anything can happen on any given Saturday.

A win today won’t just change the standings in the SWAC; it could change the narrative for Bethune-Cookman Football.  For a team that has struggled to gain momentum, today is the opportunity to breathe new life into this season. A victory today  would be a symbol of resilience, a statement that this team still has fight left. For a fan base that has had little to celebrate in recent years, it would be the jolt of hope we so desperately need.

Keys to Victory

1. Defensive Discipline– Bethune-Cookman’s defense must rebound from the alarming trend of allowing big plays. Alabama State is not a quick strike offense so the Wildcats cannot afford to give up scores based on missed assignments and/or alignment issues. 

2. Contain the Run– Alabama State’s offense thrives on establishing the ground game. The Wildcats’ front seven needs to plug gaps, force third-and-long situations, and limit explosive rushes. If they can slow down Alabama State’s run game, BCU has a chance to control the tempo.

3. Capitalize on Turnovers – In a game of this magnitude that is expected to be low scoring, turnover margin will likely be the difference. BCU needs to force mistakes, and more importantly, capitalize on them with points. Turnovers give the defense a rest and provide short fields for the offense to operate. For those same reasons, the Cats need to limit turnovers.

What a Win Would Mean

A win today would mean…well…EVERYTHING. It would show that Coach Woodie and his guys are capable of bouncing back from adversity and that they can compete within the SWAC. A victory puts BCU at the top of the SWAC East. The confidence boost alone would be immense for a squad that has been battered by  doubt.

Winning today means silencing the “boo birds” and showing the rest of the SWAC that Bethune-Cookman is still a program to be reckoned with.

But if the Wildcats fall short, the frustration will grow, and the climb back will become steeper. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Today is a chance for redemption; and in just a few hours, we will see “who will ascend to the top of the mountain”.

Bethune-Cookman vs. USF: Season Opener Review and Standout Performances

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Credits: The Oracle/ Alejandra Martinez

Bethune-Cookman’s season opener against the University of South Florida concluded with a lopsided 48-3 scoreline. While the outcome was tough, it’s important to remember that these “money games” are a necessary part of the journey for FCS programs and despite the result, the ultimate objective is to gain valuable experience and prepare for the season ahead.

With that in mind, the Wildcats avoided any significant injuries—a critical win in its own right, given the challenge of facing a FBS team in Week One. Running back and kick returner Darnell Deas appeared slightly hobbled in the second half, but overall, the team emerged relatively unscathed.

We hoped the defense could have kept USF under 50 points and the offense would have scored at least 20 but only half of that mission was accomplished. USF was held under the half century mark, but the Wildcats couldn’t find the end zone, and managed to only score a field goal. The lack of offensive production was a letdown, but we will delay our early season assessment of the offense until next Saturday’s contest against FCS opponent Mercer. 

On the positive side, there were several individual performances that stood out. Here are a few:

1. Dearis Thomas showed why he’s a 2nd Team All-SWAC performer, recording 8 tackles;  2 of which were for losses. Thomas was not included in the starting lineup but his impact was felt the moment he stepped onto the field, and his consistent play-making ability was a bright spot in the game. He is one of those guys who fly around and always end up around the ball. Not only was Thomas BCU’s best defensive performer, he may have been the most impressive defensive player of the night for either team.

2. Caleb Blake also flashed on both special teams and defense. His athleticism and presence on the field were noticeable throughout the night. Blake made plays in space where some other secondary players struggled. He also ran down a USF punt returner from behind saving a certain touchdown. Actually that play was brought back due to a holding penalty but neither Blake or the ball carrier knew that as the play was happening. The transfer graduate student from Missouri State looks to be a player who could contribute significantly as the season progresses. Since we are talking about secondary players making plays in space, shout out to Shawn Russ for also making a couple of big tackles with a lot of grass behind him once he got into the game. 

3. Quarterback Cam Ransom took over the quarterback duties from starter Micah Bowens midway through the 2nd quarter.  Ransom led BCU on its only scoring drive of the contest and he looked rather comfortable running the offense. Ransom, who played high school football not too far from Raymond James Stadium at Seffner Armwood, finished the contest a respectable 12 for 19 through the air.  His ability to move the offense, even in a tough match up, is something for the offense to build on moving forward. 

4. Sophomore wide receiver, Lorenzo Jenkins, led BCU in receiving. The 6’3” Jenkins  hauled in 5 catches for 53 yards in his first official contest for the Wildcats after transferring in from the Pitt Panthers. Jenkins managed to get separation throughout the night and made a pair of tough catches, showing good hands and body control in doing so. 

5. This may seem strange when considering the final scoreline but we think acknowledgement of the defensive front seven is appropriate. Yeah I know, USF had over 200 yards rushing and they scored 48 points. Having said that, the front seven wasn’t getting blown off the ball, there weren’t running lanes the size of the Gulf of Mexico, and members of the front seven often won their individual match ups. The defense was able to get off the field in a few key short yardage and goal to go situations. So while their performance was far from perfect, we saw enough from the front seven to make us feel encouraged about how they can match up against teams at the FCS level. 

In conclusion, the scoreline was harsh but BCU achieved some of the objectives the HailWildcats.com staff was eyeing going into the game. There’s work to be done, but the Wildcats have a foundation to build on as they move into Week Two of the young season.

Next week Mercer University comes to town and we will learn a lot more about the 2024 edition of the Fighting Wildcats at that time. 

Thank you FAMU

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Back in the day when my crew and I were rocking Jeri Curls, Guess Jeans and Adidas with the fat boy shoelaces, Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen penned the famous line: “you can’t start a fire without a spark.” Today as I sit here with my baldhead, no name jeans and Dr. Scholl inserts, I am unashamedly thanking Florida A&M University for the fire that is currently blazing across the MEAC and HBCU landscape.

Yeah, you heard me correctly. On this 21st day of October, I am thanking Florida A&M University for setting the MEAC landscape on fire.

The spark that started the flames came on Sunday afternoon when the Rattlers defeated reigning Black College National Champions North Carolina A&T 34-31 in overtime.

Prior to Sunday’s rescheduled contest, there was a sense of apathy…inevitability…been-there-done-that permeating MEAC circles. There were no real surprises up to that point. All of the teams we thought would be good heading into the season were handling their business; none more so than the #9th ranked Aggies who seemed on course to win their 3rd straight MEAC crown.

But all of that changed when FAMU pulled off the first real shocker of the season. As a result, lethargy has been replaced with vigor around the conference. Trash talk is ramping up. Half of the league is playing the “what-if” game and reviewing all of the scenarios that would land their squad in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.

Buddy Pough and the resurgent South Carolina State Bulldogs now control their own destiny to get to the Celebration Bowl. NCA&T is still in control of their own fate to get to Atlanta. Florida A&M, who isn’t eligible for postseason play this year due to self-imposed sanctions, still control their own destiny as it relates to being named Black College Football National Champions. Rattler fans, who have watched their team defeat Southern, South Carolina State and now North Carolina A&T, are starting to feel real good about themselves. Many of them are already peeking ahead at the Florida Classic.

Speaking of the Florida Classic, let’s not forget about our favorite hBCU. Bethune-Cookman is 6-1 and sitting atop the MEAC standings but if you were not playing close attention you could have easily missed that fact. This is partly because the Wildcats have yet to have a signature win and partly because BCU’s schedule is heavily back loaded with games against SCSU, NCA&T and FAMU all upcoming.

The Bulldogs visit Daytona Beach this Saturday to face the Wildcats in a huge homecoming matchup. A SCSU win would throw the conference race into utter chaos. A win by BCU keeps them looking down at everyone else in the standings and on pace for the MEAC title and one of the most significant Florida Classic matchups in years.

Yeah, I know there is a ton of football left to be played between now and then but a guy can dream can’t he?

Everything is on the table. All of the team goals are still in front of the Wildcats. Let’s hope Terry Sims, his coaching staff and his team can pull it all together and keep the fire burning in the hearts of BCU fans. South Carolina State you’re on the clock. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00pm this Saturday. Who will ascend to the top of the mountain!

 

2016 Season Preview ~ Meet the Squad

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

If you have spent any time in or around Daytona Beach since the beginning of this decade, you know there are three constants on which you can bank.

1 ~ the deliciousness of an order of Honey Wings from Bethune Grill; (love those)

2 ~ a full parking lot at Krispy-Kreme when the “Hot Doughnuts Now” sign begins flashing;

3 ~ Bethune-Cookman ending the season atop the MEAC standings.

BCU vs Norfolk State 2015 (175)The Wildcats have won or shared the MEAC crown in all but one year this decade. They have averaged over 9 wins a season in that span, produced MEAC Player of the Year awardees on both sides of the ball, sent talent on to the professional ranks…….well you get the point. BCU football has been pretty dang good since 2010 and this year should be no exception.

Terry Sims (9-2 in 2015) enters his second season with much of his 2015 MEAC Co-Championship team still intact. Sims’ squad returns 7 offensive starters, as many on defense, the punter, placekicker, return specialists, Elvis, Bigfoot, ‘eerybody’ is back for the party. Simply put, the talent is in place for BCU to make yet another run at the conference crown and perhaps earn their first ever trip to the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.

Offense

Phillip Norman

Phillip Norman

The Wildcats led the conference in several offensive categories a season ago including Scoring Offense (31.4 ppg) and Total Offense (445 ypg).  Trevin Huff, Phillip Norman and Dazzie Morris return as starters along the offensive front. The trio will try to help set the stage for BCU’s high powered offense. Job Buissereth (6’4”, 325) and David Bryant (6’7”, 336) will look to anchor the right side of the line. Ja-Quan Lumas and Michael Boland are both expected to see regular action at the tight end position. Lumas finished the year with 3 receiving touchdowns and could see more red zone targets this year.

Larry Brihm has had flashes of brilliance for BCU (think 2014 Florida Classic and 2015 comeback win against Grambling State). His experience in Jim Pry’s offense makes him the favorite to take over the reins at quarterback for the now departed Quentin Williams. Brihm will need to show more consistency in the pocket if he plans to remain the unquestioned primary signal caller throughout the course of the season. Redshirt freshman Arkevious Williams and JUCO transfer Anthony Cruz will look to challenge Brihm for snaps.

BCU vs Norfolk State 2015 (426)

WR- Frank Brown vs NSU 2015

Wide receiver is easily BCU’s deepest position. JaWill Davis , Frank Brown, Keavon Mitchell, Jontavious Carter, and Jaime Wilson have all had great moments in Maroon and Gold jerseys. Davis (39 rec, 6 TDs) is perhaps the best deep threat of the bunch while Brown (30 rec, 6 TDs), is the most reliable route runner and pass catcher of the crew. Travares Copeland is a North Carolina State transfer looking to add his name in the mix of this already talented bunch. Copeland can be dynamic with the ball in his hands and has the ability to contribute as a receiver, return specialist or ball carrier.

Speaking of ball carriers, Michael Jones has evolved from former walk-on into a Preseason All-MEAC 1st Team running back. Jones is a multidimensional player who contributes in both the run and pass game. In fact, he led the Wildcats in All-Purpose yards (880) a season ago. Freshman Tupac Isme and Marcus Levy should also find regular minutes in the backfield.

Defense

The Wildcats return all four starters as well as their first line rotational guys along the defensive front. Kevin Thompson and Todney Evans developed nicely as last season progressed and both look physically stronger this year. Thompson and Evans have exceptional athleticism and quickness at the defensive end position. Both have a chance to be stars in this league if they can meet the physicality demands of the position. DaMarcus Womack weighs in at 6’3”, 350 pounds. He along with the familiar faces of Jamal Thomas, DiShawn Ray and Anthony Meyer will look to plug the middle of the defense more consistently than we saw a year ago. Malik Slaughter was a highly touted JUCO player who is now looking to be an impact player at the FCS level.

BCU vs Norfolk State 2015 (414)All-MEAC Preseason selectee Trenton Bridges’ responsibilities will extend far beyond bringing down opposing running backs when he line up at middle linebacker this year. Bridges will be counted upon to make the right defensive checks and for leading a linebacking crew that will feature first year starters flanking him on both sides. Atreyu Farrior, Werley Placide and Veion Robinson have first dibs at making their names as starters in Yogi Jones’ defense.

Diquan Richardson is the leader of a secondary that is expected to be much improved in 2016. Arthur Williams provides BCU with some much needed length at corner while Sophomore Elliott Miller is a speedy cover guy who looks to build on a solid 2015 campaign. Former cornerback and UCF product Jeremy Davis switches to safety.

Another year of seasoning  should help this year’s Wildcat defense rebound from a season that saw them fall to the middle of the pack in most defensive categories.

Coach Sims and his 4 time defending MEAC championship squad kick things off this Sunday at 1:00 against Alcorn State in the 12th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game will be televised on ESPN and streamed on WatchESPN.

BCU vs Norfolk State 2015 (488)

BCU Releases Official Statement Regarding the Harold Love Pro-Day Article

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

HAIL-WILDCATS_GOLD LogoOn April 11, 2013, NFLDraftZone.com ran an article written by self-described NFL scout Damond Talbot.  Talbot’s article focused almost exclusively on his perception of an alleged injustice committed by Bethune-Cookman University and executed against former B-CU defensive tackle, Harold Love.  The university’s official statement from Lynn W. Thompson, Director of Athletics is shown below.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN OFFICIAL STATEMENT from LYNN W. THOMPSON (Director of Athletics)…

“Our student-athlete handbook states ‘Student-athletes are highly visible representatives of the university and are expected to uphold the values and responsibilities of the institution while meeting all requirements set forth by the MEAC, NCAA, B-CU and the B-CU intercollegiate athletics program.’

The university reserves the right to prohibit, reduce and otherwise sanction the participation of any student-athlete who falls short of or compromises any of these standards.

The student-athlete was a repeat offender of university and team policies. He was and is fully aware of those policies and understands our stance and subsequent disciplinary actions imposed on him. In addition to the sanctions imposed by the university, which limit him to only academic related activities, the department of athletics also imposed additional penalties. While we have imposed these sanctions on him we also stand with him and will continue to provide the resources which will support him in his ultimate quest to graduate from our institution this spring.

We will issue no further statements on this matter and will consider it closed.”

Lynn W. Thompson
Director of Athletics

Duron Carter linked to Bethune-Cookman in possible transfer according to reports

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

Former Ohio State and University of Alabama receiver Duron Carter (son of NFL great Chris Carter) has been linked to Bethune-Cookman according to multiple reports.

According to OwlAccess.com, Carter has applied for admission to FAU and is in the process of pursuing an NCAA transfer waiver that would allow him to play this season for the FBS, Florida Atlantic Owls.  If the NCAA denies Carter’s transfer waiver request, Bethune-Cookman, where Carter would be eligible to play right away under NCAA transfer rules, appears to be Carter’s most preferred landing spot. 

Carter is a 6’-5”, 215 pound wide receiver from storied St. Thomas Aquinas High School located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Rivals.com rated Carter as a 4-Star recruit coming out of high school.  He signed a letter of intent and played one season at Ohio State in 2009 before transferring to a Community College in Kansas in 2010.  Carter signed with defending National Champions Alabama in 2011 but academic transcript issues brought his Crimson Tide career to an abrupt end. 

Whether or not Duron Carter ever plays a down for BCU, his interest in the Wildcats tells just how well and what type of athletes Brian Jenkins and his staff now recruits at Bethune-Cookman.