NFL

Alabama State Insider, BZNUPE, Answers 5 Questions about the ASU/BCU Matchup

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Alabama State Insider, BZNUPE, answers 5 questions about Saturday’s Bama State/BCU matchup.

1. With Andrew Body dealing with a wrist injury and true freshman Aaron Frye stepping into the starting role, how much does the quarterback change alter Alabama State’s offense; and how confident are Hornet fans in Frye?

BZNUPE: Body being hurt is a huge blow for the program. He is our leader and the best player on our team. The good thing about Frye coming to school in January is that he went through spring practice as the main QB because we were dealing with injuries to Body and Te’Sean Smoot. Add in a new OC, Tony Hull, and it’s a difficult situation. I will say that one benefit is that Hull and Frye have been working together since the spring, and that helps tremendously.

I’ve watched “Hot Frye” for the past two years and have been at most of his high school games because of where I work. He is a baller, has played high-level football, and won a ’ship as the best player. In his 10th-grade year, he stepped in for four or five games, did well, and won a ’ship that year as well. “Hot Frye” or “In Frye We Trust” is what we like to call him. I think we will be okay both long term and at the moment with our freshman quarterback.

2. Alabama State scored 41 points against Mississippi Valley State, but the offense produced only 258 total yards. Did that performance expose legitimate offensive concerns, or was it simply a case of the Hornets capitalizing on turnovers and special teams?

BZNUPE: Each game brings new challenges, and running the offense with a new QB is a huge challenge. We did a good job of keeping the QB upright and calling plays that allowed him to get some solid throws in. We had some big drops, but those can also be attributed to timing with the new QB. We did capitalize on mistakes, and that’s what football is about in some games. Forty-one points is 41 points.

3. Beyond the quarterback position, which Alabama State players should Bethune-Cookman fans keep an eye on Saturday; and who could be the difference-maker on each side of the ball?

BZNUPE: Ta-shaun Sims sets our tone defensively, and Nehemiah Hixon will always give us great field position as a return man. He will also score a TD if you’re not careful.

4. When you examine Bethune-Cookman, what concerns you most about this matchup; and where do you believe Alabama State has its clearest advantage?

BZNUPE: What scares me the most is the defense. I think, offensively, we are both dealing with possible unknowns at QB. Your defense, with Washburn and the crew, can make it tough for my freshman QB, especially on the road.

5. What must Alabama State do to win in Daytona Beach, and what is your final score prediction?

BZNUPE: To win, ASU must take care of the football, limit mistakes, and not allow “Mary’s Kids” to speed our QB up. Also, we have to shore up our coverages in the secondary and make sure we keep everything in front of us. The run game must travel and will help take the pressure off Hot Frye.

My prediction ASU 28, BCU 21.

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

Bulldogs Too Much for Wildcats, 55–41

/ J Bell / 1 Comment
Credits: BCU Athletics

Heading into this Bethune-Cookman vs South Carolina State matchup, I told y’all this game had more of a chance to be sneaky good game than the expected one-sided snooze fest. Turns out, we got a little of both.

Let’s put it this way. After the game, I got back home just in time to catch the Bud Crawford/Canelo Alvarez boxing match.

South Carolina State played the role of Bud Crawford, superior from the opening bell to the final horn. Bethune-Cookman was Canelo Alvarez, the proud fighter who kept throwing punches, landed some heavy shots, and fought until the end but was ultimately outmanned, overmatched and never got close enough to pose any real threat.

Jerry Bell – HailWildcats.com

If you were comparing the football game to the boxing match, South Carolina State played the role of Bud Crawford, superior from the opening bell to the final horn. Bethune-Cookman was Canelo Alvarez, the proud fighter who kept throwing punches, landed some heavy shots, and fought until the end but was ultimately outmanned, overmatched and never got close enough to pose any real threat.

The results, a 55–41 victory for the Bulldogs in a game they controlled from start to finish…just like Crawford controlled Canelo.

First Quarter: Bulldogs Blitz

From the opening drive, SCSU had their way. Physical on the ground, sharp through the air, and opportunistic on defense. By the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs had 24 points on the board and 207 yards of total offense. The Wildcats on the other hand, just 4 yards of offense and zero first downs at that point. Yikes!

SC State 1st quarter scoring drives went as follows:

-14 plays, 83 yards ending with a 3 yard Ryan Stubblefield touchdown run.

-7 plays, 63 yard touchdown drive (1 yard KZ Adams run).

-4 yard Malik Harp fumble return for a touchdown.

-9 plays, 61 yard drive ending in a Nico Cavanillas 44 yard field goal.

In the 2nd quarter, Cavanillas added a 41 yard field goal to stretch the lead to 27-0.

Wildcats Swing Back

Then came the fight. 2nd team All-SWAC quarterback, Cam Ransom, entered the game in the 2nd quarter in place of the largely ineffective Timmy McClain who started the contest.

Ransom led the Cats on their first touchdown drive of the season with a two yard TD run with 1:56 remaining in the first half. The drive covered 17 plays, 75 yards and over 8 minutes.

After the halftime break, the Wildcats had 6 highly productive drives that went like this:

Drive 1 – 8 plays, 75 yards; touchdown.

Drive 2 – 7 plays, 67 yards (almost touchdown drive but the officials decided the ball was fumbled into the endzone for a touchdown back). 😤

Drive 3 – 3 plays, 84 yards; touchdown.

Drive 4 – 7 plays, 67 yards; touchdown.

Drive 5 – 7 plays, 75 yard; touchdown.

Drive 6 – 4 plays, 35 yards; touchdown.

That’s 5 touchdowns in 6 second-half drives. And if that disputed fumble call goes the other way? We’re talking about a perfect offensive half.

That’s the good part. But in football and boxing, you don’t just punch; you also get punched.

BCU closed the gap and had multiple chances to make the contest a one-score game, but South Carolina State answered every time. The Cats never got closer than 14.

The Difference Makers

Cam Ransom put on an absolute show. Despite not starting, he finished with:

302 yards passing and 4 touchdowns through the air; 89 yards rushing and 1 touchdown on the ground, and 391 yards of total offense.

That’s a career night against a top notched opponent.

Maleek Huggins also had his best outing of the season, torching the Bulldog secondary for 8 catches, 148 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

Antwone Watts and Nick Rawls II led the Cats on defense with 7 and 6 tackles respectively.

The Bottom Line

Bethune fought back admirably after an abysmal first quarter, and you have to applaud that effort. But effort without execution doesn’t win games. All of these positives couldn’t overcome the Wildcat mistakes. Bethune turned the ball over three times, including the 1st quarter scoop-and-score for the Bulldogs and that drive crushing end-zone fumble that erased points in the 3rd quarter. That’s a 14-point swing and wouldn’t you know it—that’s exactly the margin of defeat.

The better team—the defending MEAC champs—won the game and showed the distance between the two programs at this juncture in time.

Final: South Carolina State 55, Bethune-Cookman 41.

This young BCU team is still learning that in football, like boxing, it’s not enough to just keep swinging. Wins and losses are decided by making adjustments, being disciplined, and paying attention to the details that turn effort into results.

Jerry Bell – HailWildcats.com

The Wildcats fall to 0–3 and are still searching for that first win. This young BCU team is still learning that in football, like boxing, it’s not enough to just keep swinging. Wins and losses are decided by making adjustments, being disciplined, and paying attention to the details that turn effort into results.

The Cats will get another shot at it next week. Until then, Hail Wildcats!

StatisticBCUSCS
First Downs
Total2928
Rushing1012
Passing1715
Penalty21
Rushing
Total (Net)182226
Attempts3437
Avg. Per Rush5.46.1
Rushing TDs25
Yds. Gained200230
Yds. Lost184
Passing
Total (Net)325335
Comp.-Att.-Int.23–38–122-37-0
Avg. / Att.8.69.1
Avg. / Comp.14.115.2
TDs41
Total Offense
Yards507561
Plays7274
Avg. / Play77.6
Fumbles – Lost2–20-0
Penalties – Yds.7–695-50
Punting
Punts – Yds.2-942-77
Avg. / Punt4738.5
Inside 2010
50+ Yds.10
Touchbacks00
Fair Catch00
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.7-33610–541
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff48.054.1
Touchbacks02
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs2-9-02-15-0
Punt: Avg. / Return4.57.5
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs7–146-04-76-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return20.919.0
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-01-0-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-01–4–1
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards00
Poss. Time31:2628:34
3rd. Down Conv.3 of 109 of 13
4th. Down Conversions2 of 30 of 0
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances3-47–7
Sacks: Total – Yds.1-41-2
PAT: Total – Made5-67–7
2PT Conversion: Total – Made0-00-0
Field Goals: Total – Made0-02–2

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

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Credits: Tallahassee Democrat

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

The 2024 Florida Classic lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting matchups in HBCU football as Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M delivered a nail-biter and one of the best HBCU games of the season. Despite both teams entering the contest on two-game losing streaks, the Wildcats and Rattlers gave fans an entertaining and well-played 41-38 game that came down to the final drive and highlighted the best of this storied rivalry.

Game Summary

The game began with fireworks as FAMU’s Thad Franklin Jr. opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run on FAMU’s first possession. 

Bethune-Cookman responded quickly with an amazing 77-yard punt return TD by Maleek Huggins, tying the game at 7-7. After a FAMU field goal, the Wildcats’ defense faltered momentarily, allowing a 12-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Richardson to Jamari Gassett early in the second quarter.

Bethune-Cookman fought back with freshman sensation Dennis Palmer breaking free for a 19-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 17-14. Quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom connected with Huggins on a 56-yard bomb with time winding down in the first half, giving the Wildcats a 21-17 lead at halftime and sending the BCU faithful into a frenzy.

The third quarter saw both teams trade scores. Cade Hechter’s 43-yard field goal extended BCU’s lead to 24-17 before Franklin Jr. struck again for FAMU with a 2-yard touchdown to even the game. A late field goal by Cameron Gillis put the Rattlers ahead 27-24 entering the fourth quarter.

The final quarter was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The Wildcats lined up for a would be 47-yard game tying field goal attempt early in the 4th but unfortunately, Hecter’s attempt sailed wide left.

On FAMU’s next snap, Franklin Jr. broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown to give FAMU a 34-24 lead.

Props to Cookman for coming right back and answering with a 5 play, 59 yard drive that ended with a 1-yard Palmer  touchdown run to bring BCU within three (34-31).

After Kelvin Dean scored on an 11-yard run for FAMU (41-31), Palmer capped off his brilliant day with a 2-yard touchdown (41-38).  But it wasn’t enough, as BCU’s final drive ended on an unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt as time expired. 

Key Moments

The Wildcats had their highest scoring output of the year in Saturday’s matchup (38), but two key moments in the final quarter helped sealed Bethune-Cookman’s fate:

  1. Missed Field Goal: Cade Hechter  came up short on a 47-yard attempt with 12:21 remaining in the contest. BCU could have tied the game at 27 with a successful field goal but the kick sailed wide. The deflated defense took the field after the change of possession and gave up a 70 yard Rattler TD run on the first snap. BCU never tied or saw the lead again after that moment.
  2. Another Missed Opportunity After Turnover Late in the game: Perhaps the biggest missed opportunity of the contest came later in the fourth quarter. BCU’s defense forced a FAMU turnover with 9:32 remaining. The Wildcat offense took over with great field position at the FAMU 39 yardline; and trailed by just three points (34-31). However, the Cats couldn’t capitalize, and stalled on 4 straight run plays. It was another late game missed opportunity and one that may have cost Bethune the contest.

Bright Spots for the Wildcats

There were plenty of positives for Bethune-Cookman. Junior Maleek Huggins announced his claim as a top playmaker in the SWAC with a career day, including his 77-yard punt return touchdown and a career high 177 receiving yards. 

Freshman Dennis Palmer also showcased his potential, rushing for 178 yards and three touchdowns. These standout performances offered a glimpse into a brighter future for BCU football.

Safeties Antwone Watts and Raymond Woodie III paced the defense with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Watts also collected an interception on the evening. 

A Classic to Remember

The two teams accounted for over 900 yards of total offense and treated the fans with momentum swings throughout the contest. From BCU’s late touchdown in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 21-17 halftime lead; to FAMU scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half. The game was very memorable and a reminder of why this matchup holds such a special place in the black college football world.

Bethune-Cookman will now shift its focus to the offseason, with plenty of lessons to build on from this rollercoaster season. With emerging stars like Huggins and Palmer, the Wildcats have a foundation to be optimistic about as they aim to turn the corner in 2025.

“Can’t Finish Cats”: A Tale of Missed Opportunities for Bethune-Cookman in 14-17 loss to TxSO 

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

“Can’t Finish Cats”: A Tale of Missed Opportunities for Bethune-Cookman 

For the second consecutive week and third time this season, Bethune-Cookman had the ball in the final moments of the contest with a chance to pull off a dramatic win. And for the second consecutive week and third time this season, the Wildcats fell short. Cade Hecter’s 54-yard field goal attempt landed just short in the closing seconds, sealing a narrow 14-17 loss to Texas Southern.

One Wildcat fan on social media called this team the “Can’t Finish Cats” after Saturday’s loss.

The phrase wasn’t coined to be cruel; but instead reflects the angst of the BCU faithful and the sentiments of Head Coach Raymond Woodie, who has emphasized all season long the need for his team to finish plays, finish drives, and finish games. Saturday’s contest against Texas Southern encapsulated that struggle.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half belonged to Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats played disciplined defense and completely neutralized Texas Southern’s potent rushing attack. The Wildcats held TSU to only 27 yards on the ground in the opening two quarters. Offensively, BCU struck early in the 2nd quarter when Cam Ransom connected with Maleek Huggins on a 62-yard seam route to take a 7-0 lead.

However, missed opportunities began to creep in soon after. A holding penalty wiped out what would have been a 36-yard touchdown run by Dennis Palmer on BCU’s next possession. Then, as time expired in the second quarter, Hecter uncharacteristically missed a chip-shot 25-yard field goal. Despite dominating the first half, Bethune-Cookman entered halftime with just a slim 7-0 lead.

Old MO-mentum not on BCU’s side

The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime as Texas Southern’s power running back Athean Renfro found his rhythm and led the Tigers to a strong second-half performance. Renfro racked up 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a critical 28-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to give TSU a 17-7 lead.

Fighting to the End

The Wildcats refused to fold as has been the case all season. With just over six minutes remaining, Ransom delivered a perfect 6 yard pass to Lorenzo Jenkins, who made an acrobatic, Sportscenter worthy touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone to cut the lead to 17-14. It was the second time this season Jenkins’ “Mossed” a defender for a score.

The Wildcats’ defense answered the call with a key stop, giving the offense one final opportunity with 2:32 left in the game. Bethune took over possession from their own 19-yard line and methodically moved the ball into Texas Southern territory. However, a little home cooking by the stadium clock operator cost the Wildcats 15-20 critical seconds during the final drive. Despite this, Ransom and the offense managed to set up Hecter for a 54-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds remaining.

Hecter, whose previous career-long was 48 yards, struck the ball cleanly but the kick fell just short, ending the Wildcats’ hopes of forcing overtime.

Final Thoughts

Missed opportunities continue to haunt this team but despite the heartbreak, there are bright spots. Bethune started 4 true freshmen on offense, three offensive linemen (Teko Shoats, Melvin Puckett, Vincent Forney) who held up well against a good TSU defense, and Dennis Palmer at running back. 

Palmer finished the afternoon with 93 yards on the ground on 19 attempts.

Cam Ransom showed poise under pressure, finishing with 219 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-34 passing. 

Maleek Huggins had arguably his best game in a BCU uniform hauling in 4 receptions for 97 yards including the 62 yarder for a TD. Thomas Nance added 8 receptions for 74 yards from the tight end position.

Kevin Washington Jr and Joshua Thornhill paced BCU defensively with 7 tackles apiece.

The Wildcats end the season next week in Orlando against in-state rival Florida A&M. As always, HailWildcats.com will be there to bring you all the action. 

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.

Bethune Rises Over Valley 20-10: Wildcats Secure First Win of the Season

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Bethune Rises Over Valley 20-10: Wildcats Secure First Win of the Season

Credits: BCU Athletics

I know we’re a little late with the game summary, but you can blame that on us walking on Cloud 9 for the past few days. After six weeks of heartbreak, frustration, and doubt, Bethune-Cookman found a way to give us that winning feeling again. The Wildcats traveled to Itta Bena and came away with a 20-10 victory over Mississippi Valley State, notching their first win of the 2024 season.

The victory couldn’t have come at a more crucial time being that we are now in homecoming week. This was a win that provided more than just a tally in the win column—it was a much-needed morale boost for a team, fan base, and coaching staff desperate for something to celebrate.

Ground Game Dominates

The Wildcats came into the game with an offensive game plan focused on attacking Valley’s defense on the ground. BCU ended the day with 255 yards rushing, led by true freshman Dennis Palmer, who powered through for 126 yards on 27 carries. Palmer, the true freshman, earned SWAC Newcomer of the Week honors for his efforts.

BCU started slow offensively and failed to score on its first four offensive possessions. Mixed into those possessions were two Cam Ransom turnovers (an interception and a fumble), leading to some early frustration and an early deficit.

Captain Luke to the Rescue

Trailing Valley 3-0 and the offense struggling to sustain drives, Head Coach Raymond Woodie turned to his offensive captain, Luke Sprague, to turn the tide midway through the second quarter. Sprague, despite being voted as the team’s offensive captain, had only seen limited action in mop-up duty versus USF so far this season. Nevertheless, the 6’5”, senior quarterback gave the Wildcats the shot in the arm they needed when he entered the game. The energy shifted across the entire team once “Captain Luke,” “Luke Skywalker,” “Uncle Luke,” or just plain Luke took the helm.

Sprague rewarded the confidence of his teammates and coaches by leading BCU on:

  • a 6 play, 20 yard touchdown drive on his 1st possession;
  • a 5 play, 54 yard touchdown drive capped by an acrobatic Sprague to Lorenzo Jenkins 34 yard TD reception on his 2nd possession;
  • a field goal drive on his 3rd possession; and
  • a 16-play, 88-yard field goal drive to ice the game on his 5th possession.

That’s 4 scoring drives on 5 Sprague led possessions. Talk about getting it done! Salute to you, Captain Luke.

Game Changing plays

Props are due for several other game-changing moments as well. Valley had the ball 1st and goal from the BCU 2-yard line, trailing 17-10 to begin the 4th quarter. But the Wildcat defense stepped up, stopping the Delta Devils on three straight inside runs before Raymond Woodie III deflected a 4th-down pass. That huge defensive stand was followed by the 16-play, 88-yard drive that took 8:50 off the clock—all on running plays.

Punters Are Football Players Too

The run on that drive that took us all by surprise came from redshirt senior punter Anthony Frédérique. On 4th and 6 from their own 22-yard line, with 12:32 remaining the contest, BCU lined up to punt the ball back to Valley—or so we thought. Instead, the rugby-style punter faked the punt and ran 18 yards off the right side to the BCU 40 yardline for a first down. BCU finished the drive with Cade Hechter’s 22-yard field goal, sealing the final score at 20-10.

BCU will look to build on their newfound good vibes as they travel back home for a homecoming matchup against SWAC Eastern Division leader, Jackson State.

BCU Football’s Robinson, Merritt Accept Invites to SPIRAL Tropical Bowl

/ D Will / Leave a comment
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 1st Team All-MEAC performer Jimmie Robinson and 3rd Team All-MEAC defensive back Trevor Merritt have both accepted an invitation to compete in the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl, which will be held Jan. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida in front of scouts from teams across the NFL and Canadian Football League.
The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl is a premier FBS Division I level College Football All Star Game played in Daytona Beach, Fla., annually in mid January. The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl showcases the top college football seniors to NFL scouts and GM’s who travel from around the country to the event. The weekend is focused on scouting, teaching, and football. The Inaugural 2016 game was held at FIU/FIU North Stadium and the 2017 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl in cooperation with the City of Daytona Beach moved to Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., and has since returned .The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl has partnered with the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center as the main Host Hotel for the “Tropical Bowl Weekend.” The organizing company East Preps LLC. is responsible for several high end college football all star games at FIU since 2013 and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl has featured 70+ NFL Scouts and 26+ NFL Teams. Over 110 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl alumni have gone on to the NFL since it’s inception in 2016. https://www.tropicalbowl.com/home
Robinson, a senior from Flagler Palm Coast, wraps up a stellar career that saw him earn All-American status as a kick returner and all conference honors as a wide receiver. The speedster led the conference in both kick return average (28.1 yds) and all purpose yards (123.6 per game) in 2019. Robinson was named 2019 Stats FCS All-American, 2019 MEAC First Team All Conference Return Specialist, 2019 MEAC Second Team All Conference Wide Receiver, he was also awarded American Team Offensive MVP in the 2019 6th Annual FCS Bowl.

Credits: Orlando Sentinel

Merritt, who hails from Rockledge, FL, registered 31 tackles and 3 interceptions his senior year. The ballhawking defensive back didn’t just pick off passes; he returned 2 of his 3 picks for touchdowns this season and 2 of his 4 picks for touchdowns in his junior campaign.

The annual all-star game for seniors from Football Bowl Subdivision programs will kick off at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday in DeLand, Fla. The game will be played at Spec Martin Stadium, home of Stetson University and can be viewed online at FloFootball.com. The Tropical Bowl website estimates, through its parent organization (East Prep LLC), that upwards to 40% of players that participate and actually pursue a Pro career are placed and many players play from the NFL to Europe!

Best of luck to Jimmie and Trevor! Hail Wildcats!

 

 

 

 

KJ Stroud signs free agent deal with NY Jets

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

KJ Stroud Classic

Keith “KJ” Stroud

Former Bethune-Cookman receiver KJ Stroud has officially signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets of the National Football League.

Stroud, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior wide receiver from Brooklyn, N.Y., becomes the first B-CU player to ink a free agency agreement with an NFL team following this year’s NFL Draft. He arrived to the Wildcats program in 2011 after transferring from Rutgers where he spent the 2009 and 2010 campaigns.

Read on: http://www.bcuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=659168&SPID=104202&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=207461060&DB_OEM_ID=23910.