Rush (gridiron football)

‘Tail of the Tape’ – BCU at CCU – 2013 FCS 1st round

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Credits BCU Athletics Instagram

Credits BCU Athletics Instagram

Coastal Carolina

2013 Record: 10-2, 4-1
Coach: Joe Moglia

Big Wins: 9/7 Furman (35-28), 9/14 at Eastern Kentucky (51-32)
Bad Losses: 11/9 at Charleston Southern (26-31), 11/23 at South Carolina (10-70)

Strengths:
Coastal Carolina is paced on offense by stud running back Lorenzo Taliaferro.  The Walter Payton Award Finalist has gained just under 1,500 rushing this season while accounting for 23 touchdowns on the ground.    As a unit, the Coastal ground attack averages 283 yards per contest and ranks 3rd nationally in that department.

Quarterback Alex Ross may not be as elusive as last year’s signal caller Aramis Hillary but he seems to be more accurate delivering the ball.  Add in the formidable pass catching trio of Matt Hazel, Niccolo Mastromatteo, and DeMario Bennett and it is easy to see why the Chants are 3rd in the nation in scoring offense averaging just over 42 points per game.
Weaknesses:
Coastal’s defense has been less than stellar (at least statistically) for the duration of the season.  CCU’s defense is allowing 435 yards per game to opponents including 210 yards on the ground.  What’s difficult to determine is whether or not Coastal’s defensive statistics are an accurate reflection of the unit’s overall talent level or merely a consequence of their opponents having more opportunities considering the frequency at which the Chant offense scores.

Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, 1,487 yards
Passing: Alex Ross, QB, 2,450 yards
Receiving: Matt Hazel, WR, 817 yards
Tackles: Quinn Backus, LB, 111
Sacks: Colton Blackburn, LB, 3.0; Roderick Holder, DE, 3.0
Interceptions: Quinn Backus, LB, 3; Johnnie Houston, DB, 3

2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 283.9 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 228.6 (47, 3)
Total Offense: 512.5 (8, 1)
Scoring Offense: 45.5 (3, 1)
Rushing Defense: 198.2 (88, 4)
Pass Defense: 219.8 (61, 5)
Total Defense: 418.0 (83, 4)
Scoring Defense: 25.5 (57, 4)
Turnover Margin: 0.7 (17, 3)
Sacks: 1.55 (94, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.36 (30, 4)

Bethune-Cookman

2013 Record: 10-2, 7-1
Coach: Brian Jenkins

Big Wins: 9/1 at Tennessee State (12-9), 9/14 Florida International (34-13), 10/26 South Carolina State (14-3)
Bad Losses: 9/21 at Florida State (6-54), 11/9 Norfolk State (24-27)

Strengths:
The Wildcats get things done through the efforts of a dominating defense and a physical running game. Only Florida State scored more than 27 points on the Wildcat defense this season. BCU has held their opponents to 10 points or fewer in seven of their 12 games.  Defensive ends LeBrandon Richardson and Dyron Dye are strong against the run and pass. Linebacker Jarkevis Fields is a tackling machine and defensive backs Nick Addison and Tim Burke are ball-hawks.

The Wildcats rank in the top ten nationally in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing offense.  Isidore Jackson is the team’s top rusher.  Cary White and Anthony Jordan are more physical, downhill runners who both see a ton of action and quarterbacks Quentin Williams and Jackie Wilson are also capable of making plays with their feet.

Weaknesses:
BCU is the most heavily penalized team in the country averaging 10.50 penalties per contest.  Possessions and hidden yards are precious in postseason play meaning the Wildcats will need to find a way to limit un-timely penalties while still maintaining their aggressive style of play if they are to move on in the tournament.

Bethune’s passing game has all of the pieces needed to be successful but the air attack has sputtered at times this season.  BCU quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (9) this year and the Wildcats have finished four games with less than 100 yards gained through the air. Ironically, BCU is 4-0 in games in which they pass for under 100 yards.

Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Isidore Jackson, RB, 793 yards
Passing: Quentin Williams, QB, 1,068 yards
Receiving: Eddie Poole, WR, 562 yards
Tackles: Jarkevis Fields, LB, 94
Sacks: Dyron Dye, DL, 6.0
Interceptions: Nick Addison, DB, 5

2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 255.4 (8th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 144.4 (113, 9)
Total Offense: 399.7 (52, 1)
Scoring Offense: 30.2 (39, 2)
Rushing Defense: 99.4 (8, 3)
Pass Defense: 151.5 (3, 2)
Total Defense: 250.8 (2, 2)
Scoring Defense: 15.7 (4, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.4 (34, 2)
Sacks: 2.36 (35, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 2.55 (84, 7)

BCU secure MEAC title and Playoff berth with 29-10 FL Classic win

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Dyron Dye

Quentin Williams and Isidore Jakson rushed for two touchdowns each in Saturday’s Florida Classic but it was the Wildcat defense that paved the way for a comfortable 29-10 win for Bethune-Cookman over arch-rival Florida A&M.

The announced crowd of 45,321 watched BCU’s defense stymie the Rattlers and hold them to just 89 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers on the afternoon.

Dyron Dye led the defensive charge and emerged from the contest with 7 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.  7 other Wildcat defenders finished the day with 4 or more tackles.

FAMU struck first in the contest on a 41 yard Chase Varnadore field goal with 9:58 remaining in the 1st.

BCU responded quickly going 79 yards on 7 plays on the ensuing drive.  Williams hit Jontavious Carter on a 43 yard catch and run to set the Wildcats up in good field position.  6 plays later Williams walked into the endzone to provide BCU with a 7-3 lead.

After a FAMU 3 and out, BCU travelled 66 yards on 10 plays and eventually found the endzone on Williams’ second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from 17 yards out.

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Ike Jackson

The Wildcats capped the 1st half scoring on a 3 yard Isidore Jackson touchdown run.  Senior quarterback Brodrick Waters hit Brandon Bryant in the back of the endzone on the 2 point conversion attempt to push the halftime lead to 21-3.

Florida A&M’s only points of the second half came on a 45 yard fumble return by Jonathan Pillow midway through the 3rd quarter.

Isidore Jackson’s second 3 yard touchdown run of the afternoon followed by Waters 2 point conversion run wrapped up the scoring at 29-10.

With the win, BCU locked up their 3rd conference crown and playoff appearance in the past 4 years.  The win also pushed BCU’s active win streak over FAMU to 3 games.  Only one time prior, 2002, 2003, and 2004, had BCU won 3 straight games over Florida A&M.

The pairings for the 2013 FCS Playoffs will be announced Sunday morning at 11:30 A.M. on ESPNU.

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BCU runs past NCCU 38-14

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150

150 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The 12th ranked Bethune-Cookman Wildcats piled up 594 yards of offense and raced to a 38-14 win over North Carolina Central.

Heading into the game, senior running back Isidore Jackson needed just 129 yards on the ground to surpass Allen Suber as BCU’s all-time career rushing yardage leader.  Jackson racked up 125 of the 129 yards needed in the first half, finished the contest with 182 yards rushing on 20 attempts, and now sits in first place on the career rushing yardage list.

Jackson seemed likely to open the game’s scoring midway through the 1st quarter but fumbled while attempting to stretch the ball across the pylon.  The Wildcats would, however, get on the scoreboard later in the opening frame on a 3 yard run by Cary White with 1:17 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Quarterback Quentin Williams hooked up with Eddie Poole for a 31 yard touchdown strike on the Wildcats’ next possession.  Williams broke a tackle and extended the play with his legs before finding a wide open Poole in the middle of the field.  The pass and catch put BCU up 14-0 early in the 2nd quarter.

Jonathan Cagle pushed the BCU lead to 17-0 with a 31 yard field goal conversion for the final score of the 1st half.

Jackson added a 9 yard TD scamper for the lone points in the 3rd quarter.

The game action heated up early in the 4th with 21 points being scored in a 26 second span.

Freshman running back Michael D. Jones scored on a 3 yard run to the push the Wildcat lead to 31-0.  On the ensuing kickoff, NCCU return man Thomas Dixon spoiled the Wildcats’ hopes of a shutout and raced 100 yards to give the Eagles their first points of the afternoon.

True freshman Dre’Sean Nelson supplied an immediate response taking a handoff up the middle and outran the NCCU defense 75 yards for the score.

Kevin Thompson ended the game’s scoring on a 6 yard jolt off-tackle for Central.

Quentin Williams finished the contest 12/20 for 147 yards and 1 touchdown through the air.

Eddie Poole extended his pass catching streak to 44 games and supplanted James Adderley as tops on BCU’s consecutive game with a reception list.

Defensively the Wildcats limited NCCU to -1 yard rushing, 137 total yards, and forced 2 turnovers on the afternoon.  Nick Addison and Rony Barrow each recorded interceptions in the contest.

 

Team Stats COOK   NCCU
First Downs 27 14
Total Plays 86 56
Total Yards 594 137
Passing 158 138
Rushing 436 -1
Penalties 24/ 232 9 / 110

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

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

2012 MEAC and Fla Classic Champs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BCU set to take on Morgan State

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Bethune-Cookman will put their 10 game conference win streak on the line when they face Morgan State in Baltimore on Saturday.  The Wildcats are in sole-possession of first place in the MEAC and they boast the league’s top offense (380.5 yards per game).  BCU is playing their best football of the season and have won their last three games by a combined score of 118-32.

Morgan State will be looking to play the role of spoiler and seeking to salvage what’s left of a hard-luck season.  MSU’s 3 conference losses this year are by a total of 10 points.  Senior running back Travis Davidson is the conference’s top rusher (805 yards, 11 TDs).  Davidson gained 138 yards rushing on 17 carries in last year’s contest against BCU.  Tyrone Hendrix is a gifted wide receiver and return man and both Robert Council and Seth Higgins are capable signal callers. 

Defensively, MSU has struggled this year.  The Bears are giving up a whopping 440 yards per game. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m..  The game can be viewed live at: http://t.co/oU3bXAXc; or you can listen to the coverage at http://goliathradio.com/.

Wildcats continue their dominance over Norfolk State in Daytona Beach

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Ike Jackson runs pass NSU defenders

Coach Pete Adrian and his Norfolk State Spartans came to Municipal Stadium looking for their first ever victory over Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.  The Spartans left the World Most Famous Beach on Saturday evening on the wrong end of a 48-3 woodshed beating. 

The 48 points was Bethune’s highest scoring output of the season and the most points the Wildcats have scored since defeating Savannah State 59-3 in November last season.

Redshirt freshman quarterback, Quentin Williams, finished the afternoon with a career high 157 yards passing completing 9 of 11 attempts with 2 touchdowns.  Fellow quarterback, Brock Waters, finished the contest with a team high 103 yards rushing.  Waters also hooked up with Jhomo Gordon on a 13 yard touchdown strike midway through the 4th quarter.

The Wildcats raced out to an early 7-0 lead after taking the opening possession 75 yards on 16 plays.  The drive culminated with a 5 yard Quentin Williams to Eddie Poole touchdown reception.  Poole out-leaped defensive back Natturner Harris in the corner of the endzone to secure the catch. 

“I give credit to KJ (Stroud) for that touchdown reception” Poole stated.  “KJ set the play up when he saw the coverage and he actually switched sides with me.  I just told Quentin to lob the ball up and I would go and get it.  I definitely feel that anytime there is one-on-one coverage, I should and I will win that match-up”.

KJ Stroud’s generosity was rewarded early in the second quarter when Williams hit the senior receiver on a 28 yard leaping touchdown reception.

The two passing touchdowns sandwiched a 69 yard DJ Howard fumble return for a touchdown. Isidore Jackson added two rushing touchdowns in the 2nd quarter to stretch BCU’s lead to 34-0.    Everett Goldberg put Norfolk State on the board with a 33 yard field goal late in the second quarter. 

Brodrick Waters scored on an 8 yard run with 6:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter and hooked up with Jhomo Gordon on a 13 yard pass with 6:58 left in the contest.

Coming into the contest, NSU boasted the 3rd ranked defense in the nation yielding just 270 yards per game.  The Wildcats surpassed the 270 yard mark by halftime outgaining the Spartans 271 yards to 72 yards through the first two quarters and 435 yards to 239 yards in the game.

The Wildcat defense stretched their consecutive game with an interception streak to 14.  The defense forced 3 Norfolk State turnovers in total. Donald Smith led Wildcat defenders with 6 tackles including 1 tackle-for-loss.

“It was a tremendous team victory” coach Jenkins remarked.  “It is difficult to keep your momentum and focus after a bye-week and our players should be commended”.   “We had some miscues that we need to address but this was the most complete game of the season for us”.  Coach Jenkins ended his postgame press conference stating that his heart goes out to Norfolk State Head Coach and former BCU defensive coordinator Pete Adrian.  Coach Jenkins would not elaborate on the specifics but he did state that the veteran coach was faced with some things that are very tough right now and that his prayers are with him.

Bethune’s victory sets-up a huge battle for first place next week with North Carolina Central.  BCU and NCCU are the only remaining unbeatens in conference play.  Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 in Daytona Beach.

Team Stat Comparison

  NORF COOK
1st Downs 16 21
Total Yards 239 435
Passing 164 171
Rushing 75 264
Penalties 6-65 7-55
3rd Down Conversions 3-11 11-17
4th Down Conversions 0-1 1-2
Turnovers 3 1
Possession 24:37 35:23

Passing Leaders

 
Norfolk State C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Basmagian 12/24 119 5.0 0 1
 
Bethune-Cookman C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Williams 9/11 157 14.3 2 0

Rushing Leaders

 
Norfolk State CAR YDS AVG TD LG
Hedgeman 5 29 5.8 0 11
Riddick 7 18 2.6 0 7
 
Bethune-Cookman CAR YDS AVG TD LG
Waters 9 103 11.4 1 19
Jackson 11 57 5.2 2 33

Receiving Leaders

 
Norfolk State REC YDS AVG TD LG
Demps 4 67 16.8 0 37
Boyce 6 60 10.0 0 13
 
Bethune-Cookman REC YDS AVG TD LG
Gordon 2 62 31.0 1 49
Stroud 4 60 15.0 1 28

Scoring SummaryFIRST QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 08:20 Eddie Poole 5 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 7

 TD 03:41 D.J. Howard 69 Yd Fumble Return (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 14

SECOND QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 12:37 KJ Stroud 28 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 21

 TD 08:26 Isidore Jackson 33 Yd Run (Pat Failed)  0 27

 TD 01:13 Isidore Jackson 1 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)  0 34

 FG 00:05 Everett Goldberg 33 Yd  3 34

THIRD QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 06:54 Brodrick Waters 8 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick)  3 41

FOURTH QUARTER NORF COOK

 TD 06:58 Jhomo Gordon 13 Yd Pass From Brodrick Waters (Sven Hurd Kick)  3 48

Wildcats too much for Tigers

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For the past two months, coach Brian Jenkins has insisted that the quarterback who practices the best during the week will receive the starting nod on gameday.

Remaining true to his word, Jenkins named David Blackwell as the starting quarterback just minutes before Saturday’s contest against Savannah State.  Blackwell responded by ripping off an 80 yard touchdown run on the Wildcats first offensive play from scrimmage.  He later added two more first half touchdown runs (of 37 yards and 59 yards) as well as two 3rd quarter touchdown passes (46 yarder to Isidore Jackson and 16 yarder to Johnathan Moment).  Blackwell accounted for 350 yards of total offense (203 rushing and 147 passing) in a little over 2 quarters of play.

The Wildcats finished the contest with 625 yards of total offense in route to a 59-3 dismantling of the over-matched Tigers.

Defensively, the Wildcats yielded just 202 yards of total offense and allowed no second half first downs.  Defensive tackle, Harold Love III, led the defensive charge with 12 tackles.

 Team Totals 

SSU 

BCU 
FIRST DOWNS 

9 

23 
   Rushing 

4 

17 
   Passing 

3 

6 
   Penalty 

2 

0 
NET YARDS RUSHING 

149 

431 
   Rushing Attempts 

40 

41 
   Average Per Rush 

3.7 

10.5 
   Rushing Touchdowns 

0 

5 
   Yards Gained Rushing 

191 

461 
   Yards Lost Rushing 

42 

30 
NET YARDS PASSING 

53 

194 
   Completions-Attempts-Int 

6-21-1 

11-17-0 
   Average Per Attempt 

2.5 

11.4 
   Average Per Completion 

8.8 

17.6 
   Passing Touchdowns 

0 

3 
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 

202 

625 
   Total offense plays 

61 

58 
   Average Gain Per Play 

3.3 

10.8 
Fumbles: Number-Lost 

2-0 

2-1 
Penalties: Number-Yards 

5-30 

10-69 
PUNTS-YARDS 

8-302 

2-78 
   Average Yards Per Punt 

37.8 

39.0 
   Net Yards Per Punt 

30.4 

39.0 
   Inside 20 

2 

1 
   50+ Yards 

1 

0 
   Touchbacks 

1 

0 
   Fair catch 

2 

0 
KICKOFFS-YARDS 

2-119 

10-572 
   Average Yards Per Kickoff 

59.5 

57.2 
   Net Yards Per Kickoff 

28.5 

33.6 
   Touchbacks 

0 

0 
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 

0-0-0 

5-39-0 
   Average Per Return 

0.0 

7.8 
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 

10-236-0 

2-62-0 
   Average Per Return 

23.6 

31.0 
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 

0-0-0 

1-20-0 
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 

0-0-0 

0-0-0 
Miscellaneous Yards 

0 

0 
Possession Time 

33:52 

26:00 
   1st Quarter 

10:35 

4:25 
   2nd Quarter 

9:32 

5:28 
   3rd Quarter 

7:49 

7:03 
   4th Quarter 

5:56 

9:04 
Third-Down Conversions 

3 of 16 

5 of 9 
Fourth-Down Conversions 

0 of 2 

0 of 1 
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 

1-3 

5-6 
   Touchdowns 

0-3 

4-6 
   Field goals 

1-3 

1-6 
Sacks By: Number-Yards 

1-10 

4-23 
PAT Kicks 

0-0 

8-8 
Field Goals 

1-1 

1-1