Week 2 Takeaways: Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami
Bethune-Cookman just completed the toughest stretch of its season. The team traveled to Miami in back-to-back weeks to face FBS foes. Call it BCU’s version of a “preseason,” call it the “money games season,” call it whatever you want. The bottom line is the Wildcats faced bigger, stronger teams, and more well-funded programs and now sit at 0–2 to begin the 2025 campaign. But now the real season starts.
From here on out it’s about HBCU opponents, FCS battles, conference matchups and games that matter against similar programs. South Carolina State is first up, but before we look ahead at the game against the Bulldogs, let’s focus on a few takeaways from Saturday night against No. 5 Miami.
Takeaway 1: There is Not Much to Take Away
I don’t mean this in any negative sense at all. The truth is last week’s game was about survival. You can tell by how the staff kept it simple. They held back the playbook on offense and defense. They sat and limited playing time to key contributors including two of your starting offensive linemen. It doesn’t matter if it was about rest, health, or protecting depth. The message was clear. Coach Raymond Woodie was boldly stating that conference play and HBCU play is the priority.
Takeaway 2: Quarterback Steady
Quarterback Timmy McClain continues to look the part under center. He went 13-of-16 passing Saturday night. That’s an 81% completion rate and about as efficient as it gets, even against a 5th ranked Miami squad with all of that size and speed. His only real blemish came on a sack-fumble he probably should’ve eaten, but you’ll take that when you consider the poise and control he showed over the course of the contest. Two games in, McClain feels like a steady hand you can build around.
Takeaway 3: His eye is on the Sparrow
Yeah, I know that sounds churchy but I am a church boy so what are you going to do. At any rate, LB/DB Stephen Sparrow Jr. had an excellent game finishing with 9 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss. One of the things you look for in these type of contests are what FCS guys look like they belong on the same field as the FBS guys. Sparrow fit the bill on Saturday night. The former Orlando Jones Tiger just looked like he belonged on the field and matched everything the Hurricanes threw at him from a speed, athleticism, and physicality standpoint. Good job Sparrow!
Takeaway 4: Battled to the End
No one expected a close scoreboard, but effort still matters. Down big, outmatched, Bethune kept playing hard. That competitiveness is what you need when the schedule flips into games that are winnable and that count in the conference standings.
Looking Ahead: SCSU
Now it’s go-time.
No more holding back the playbook.
No more “preseason”.
No more FBS opponents.
No more excuses.
It’s time for us to see what this team is made of; and what an opponent to do it against. Back in Bethune’s MEAC days, South Carolina State was always the team BCU used as the measuring-stick program. They were the matchup that told you exactly where you stood. That tradition carries over. This weekend is the first real barometer for Bethune in Year Three under Coach Woodie.
Expect a scrap. Expect a game that feels like Cats versus Dogs. And by late Saturday night, expect to know a whole lot more about what this 2025 Wildcat team is really made of.
| Statistic | BCU | MIA |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | ||
| Total | 14 | 31 |
| Rushing | 4 | 13 |
| Passing | 7 | 17 |
| Penalty | 3 | 1 |
| Rushing | ||
| Total (Net) | 92 | 199 |
| Attempts | 33 | 30 |
| Avg. Per Rush | 2.8 | 6.6 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 4 |
| Yds. Gained | 115 | 201 |
| Yds. Lost | 23 | 2 |
| Passing | ||
| Total (Net) | 99 | 344 |
| Comp.-Att.-Int. | 14-18-1 | 30–36-0 |
| Avg. / Att. | 5.5 | 9.6 |
| Avg. / Comp. | 7.1 | 11.5 |
| TDs | 0 | 2 |
| Total Offense | ||
| Yards | 191 | 543 |
| Plays | 51 | 66 |
| Avg. / Play | 3.7 | 8.2 |
| Fumbles – Lost | 1-1 | 1-0 |
| Penalties – Yds. | 2-20 | 4–50 |
| Punting | ||
| Punts – Yds. | 4–167 | 0-0 |
| Avg. / Punt | 41.8 | 0 |
| Inside 20 | 1 | 0 |
| 50+ Yds. | 0 | 0 |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 0 |
| Fair Catch | 0 | 0 |
| Kickoffs | ||
| Total – Yds. | 2-126 | 8–520 |
| Avg. Yds. / Kickoff | 63.0 | 65.0 |
| Touchbacks | 1 | 8 |
| Returns | ||
| Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 2–11-0 |
| Punt: Avg. / Return | 0 | 5.5 |
| Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 1–25-0 |
| Kickoff: Avg. / Return | 0 | 25.0 |
| INT: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 1–5-0 |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Misc. Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Poss. Time | 31:55 | 28:05 |
| 3rd. Down Conv. | 1 of 11 | 4 of 6 |
| 4th. Down Conversions | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Red-Zone: Scores – Chances | 1-2 | 5–5 |
| Sacks: Total – Yds. | 2-6 | 1-8 |
| PAT: Total – Made | 0-0 | 6–6 |
| 2PT Conversion: Total – Made | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Field Goals: Total – Made | 1-1 | 1-1 |
Key individual standouts:
🔸Timmy McClain (BCU): 13-of-16 passing, 86 yards—efficient and under control.
🔸Juan Dominguez (BCU Kicker): 32-yard field goal accounted for the only points.
🔸Stephen Sparrow (BCU) 9 tackles including 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss.
🔸Carson Beck (MIA): In near-perfect form with 22-of-24 for 267 yards, 2 TDs.
🔸Mark Fletcher Jr. (MIA): Rushed 11 times for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns.
HailWildcats.com 