Wildcat

Wildcats Win An Instant Classic Florida Classic 38-34

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Josh Evans scores winning TD with 28 seconds remaining – 2025 FL Classic

It’s the Monday after the 2025 Florida Classic and I’m just now typing out this wrap-up. Not because I’m short on words or emotion. It’s the opposite. I’ve spent the last two days trying to sort through the highs, the lows, the despair, the delirium, the absolute emotional whiplash that this game dropped on all of us. I’m still not sure I’m ready to capture that roller coaster in writing, but here goes.

For the past decade, my wife and I have made it our business to bring someone new to the Florida Classic each year. It’s a personal ministry at this point despite the fact that our Bethune-Cookman Wildcats had dropped four in a row heading into Saturday’s game. 

The Florida Classic(S), as some pronounce it, is one of the premier Black cultural events in the state of Florida. It just has to be experienced! From the trash talk within families, offices, churches, sororities and fraternities; to the food vendors lined up on Tampa Avenue. From the excellence of The Marching Wildcats and The Marching 100; to the barbs thrown at the other school at the luncheon the day prior to the game. It’s all amazing.

But as great as all of those things are, nothing…and I mean nothing tops a dramatic football moment in this extravaganza. On Saturday night we got all the dramatics we could handle. 

There were four lead changes and thirty-two points scored in the fourth quarter alone. Punch. Counter punch. Kick. Counter kick. One moment you’re talking trash, the next you’re feeling like trash.

THE SWINGING OF EMOTIONS

BCU dominated the first half and took a 24–9 lead into halftime. Wildcat fans were floating higher than those seven hills we always hear about. But FAMU opened the second half with a touchdown to cut it to 24–16. Then came a pair of missed BCU field goals, followed by a made FAMU field goal to make it 24–19 with 8:51 left in the fourth quarter.

At this point, Wildcat fans were feeling tight. And I mean, tight-tight.

A quick BCU three-and-out opened the door, and FAMU kicked it in. One play later, a 72 yard Jamal Hailey run up the gut, felt like a kick in the gut. The two-point conversion was successful and suddenly the Rattlers were up 27–24.  For the first time in probably a month, the thought occurred to me that Cookman might actually lose this ballgame. 

I was flabbergasted. Shook. Nervous.

My wife and I’s first-time Classic guest asked, “what just happened?”

On the inside I was asking the same thing. But with clinched teeth and a tight stomach I uttered: “there’s still over 7 minutes left. A lot can happen.”

BON-BON LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT

BCU got the ball back and on 2nd and 5, with both bands blasting, something special happened. Timmy McClain hit Javon “Bon-Bon” Ross on a short crosser. Bon-Bon hit the brakes, reverse-pivoted, dropped two Rattlers flat to the ground, outran another, and raced 67 yards up the FAMU sideline directly towards their band for a highlight reel touchdown.

31–27, Cats. All is well in the world again. 

I exhaled 4-years worth of Classic stress in one breath. Surely, surely, that was enough excitement for the night and BCU had this game won right?

Nope. Not yet at least. 

THE SWING… AGAIN

FAMU marched right back. On 3rd and 10 from the BCU 29, the defense came up with what looked like a massive stop. But a questionable holding call on CB Johnny Harris III extended the drive. One play later, Thad Franklin punched it in. Cats down 34–31 with 2:19 left.

I’d seen this movie. Twice this season— Grambling and Jackson State—similar situation, similar heartbreak. I told myself to accept the L. Five straight to FAMU? The dark clouds were rising. 

The bands struck up again: The 100 playing “Hey Let’s Go,” the Marching Wildcats blasting “Vice Versa.”

Me? I was playing sad songs in my head.

Sack on first down against BCU.

My sad playlist turned into a depressed playlist.

Incomplete on 2nd and 20.

Stomach now in my socks and I am  speaking in strange tongues trying to keep it all together. 

On 3rd and 20, McClain found Rickie Shaw for 17 yards—just enough to make 4th down manageable. The Cats converted and hope reentered my body.  

THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Fifty-five seconds later: 4th and 8 from the FAMU 41.

A first down puts you in field goal range. No first down and it’s over. Simple math.

McClain drops back. The safe throw is there. He passes it up. He looks deep… and he finds a WIDE OPEN Josh Evans streaking untouched down the BCU sideline.

Forty-one yards. Touchdown.

Twenty-eight seconds left.

UN.

FREAKING.

BELIEVABLE.

BCU 38, FAMU 34. Final.

Our first-time guest was crying. Offensive Coordinator Donte Pimpleton was crying. Half the stadium was crying—some from heartbreak, some from pure joy. Depends on which colors you were rocking.

THE LOCAL KIDS WHO OWNED THE MOMENT

McClain and Evans—two Central Florida Area kids transferred to BCU to be closer to home. Playing in front of their people; in the biggest game of the year; they are now forever etched into the lore of this rivalry.

McClain called it “an out-of-body experience” in the postgame presser. No lie detected.

As for our guest? She rated it a 10 out of 10 experience. Said it was way better than advertised. Said she’ll be back every year.

That’s what this event is about. Abject agony for some; utter joy for others. Lasting memories for all.

The 2025 edition…An Instant Classic Florida Classic.

QtrTimeScoring PlayFAMBCU
1st08:33FAM – Porto,Daniel 45 yd field goal 7 plays, 36 yards, TOP 04:2230
1st04:38BCU – Jenkins,Lorenzo 25 yd pass from McClain,Timmy (Dominguez,Juan kick) 7 plays, 61 yards, TOP 03:2837
2nd13:31BCU – Dominguez,Juan 30 yd field goal 7 plays, 43 yards, TOP 03:38310
2nd06:52BCU – Robinson,Khamani 50 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 1 plays, 50 yards, TOP 00:10317
2nd04:04FAM – Burris,Armand 44 yd pass from Johnson III,RJ ( ) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:48917
2nd00:23BCU – Huggins,Maleek 7 yd pass from McClain,Timmy (Dominguez,Juan kick) 10 plays, 90 yards, TOP 03:33924
3rd11:56FAM – Burris,Armand 17 yd pass from Johnson III,RJ (Porto,Daniel kick) 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 02:581624
4th08:49FAM – Porto,Daniel 37 yd field goal 10 plays, 62 yards, TOP 03:551924
4th07:47FAM – Hailey,Jamal 72 yd run (Lawrence,Goldie pass), 1 plays, 72 yards, TOP 00:122724
4th07:03BCU – Ross,Javon 67 yd pass from McClain,Timmy (Dominguez,Juan kick) 2 plays, 72 yards, TOP 00:362731
4th02:19FAM – Franklin, Jr.,Thad 19 yd run (Porto,Daniel kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:433431
4th00:20BCU – Evans,Josh 41 yd pass from McClain,Timmy (Dominguez,Juan kick) 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 01:523438
3438
StatisticFAMBCU
First Downs
Total2223
Rushing1010
Passing98
Penalty35
Rushing
Total (Net)195211
Attempts2534
Avg. Per Rush7.86.2
Rushing TDs21
Yds. Gained225244
Yds. Lost3033
Passing
Total (Net)228274
Comp.-Att.-Int.22-35-022-33-0
Avg. / Att.6.58.3
Avg. / Comp.10.412.5
TDs24
Total Offense
Yards423485
Plays6067
Avg. / Play77.2
Fumbles – Lost1-12-1
Penalties – Yds.7-709–90
Punting
Punts – Yds.4–1773-146
Avg. / Punt44.248.7
Inside 2011
50+ Yds.12
Touchbacks01
Fair Catch20
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.7-3947-434
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff56.362.0
Touchbacks12
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs1-0-01-21-0
Punt: Avg. / Return0.021.0
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs2-44-06–138-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return22.023.0
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-00-0-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-01–5-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards00
Poss. Time28:1931:41
3rd. Down Conv.3 of 104 of 12
4th. Down Conversions0 of 11 of 1
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances4–43-3
Sacks: Total – Yds.3-254-23
PAT: Total – Made2-35–5
2PT Conversion: Total – Made1–10-0
Field Goals: Total – Made2-21-3

We Can Get Used to This – Wildcats Secure First SWAC Win 41-34 over Bulldogs

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Credits The News-Journal

We Can Get Used to This

Daytona Stadium is starting to feel a little different these days. It’s a little louder, a little bit more lively, and dare I say it…filled with a lot more hope as Bethune-Cookman has strung together back-to-back home wins. The Wildcats are giving their fans something they haven’t truly experienced in years: a reason to believe.

Last week’s victory over Edward Waters felt more like relief. The same with last year’s home win over Grambling State. But Saturday’s win over Alabama A&M just felt different.

-That was an excellent football game against a good, well-coached A&M team.

-That was a game that sparked a lot of pride among the fans.

-That ladies and gentlemen was Wildcat football.

A Well-Played Game from Start to Finish

From the opening whistle, BCU looked sharp, well-prepared, and confident. They looked like a good football program to say it bluntly. They asserted themselves early and repeatedly against a quality SWAC opponent. They also showed just how far this squad has progressed since game one this season. Was it perfect? Nah, not even close but it was the kind of well-rounded performance that sets a tone for the weeks ahead.

When in doubt, give the ball to “Bon-Bon”

Sophomore receiver Javon “Bon-Bon” Ross had himself a game. The Deland native, nicknamed Bon-Bon by his grandmother, electrified the crowd with a breakout performance that was hard to ignore.

On the Wildcats’ very first offensive play, quarterback Cam Ransom uncorked a 79-yard bomb. It dropped perfectly into Ross’s hands and he did the rest by outrunning the defenders on his way to the endzone. On BCU’s next possession, Ross added a 41-yard touchdown run after taking a reverse to the house. Two touchdowns for Ross scored in two different ways. The fanbase now knows what the locals have known for a while…good things happen when you give the ball to Bon-Bon.

The Playmakers Keep Rising

Ross wasn’t the only local product shining on Saturday. True freshman running back Khamani Robinson continues to prove that the moment isn’t too big for him. Robinson scored BCU’s third touchdown on a 24 yard scamper giving the Cats the lead at halftime.

And then there’s Cam Ransom. Each week, he keeps getting better and right now, it’s hard to find any HBCU quarterback who is playing better. His command of the offense, his efficiency, and his growing chemistry with playmakers like Ross and Rickie Shaw, Maleek Huggins, Lorenzo Jenkins and others are changing the Wildcats’ offensive identity right before our eyes.

The Fans are Starting to Believe Too

Shoutout to the fans who showed up Saturday. The threat of rainstorms seemed to have kept a few people away. However, those who decided to attend were treated to a great HBCU experience. Not only did they witness BCU’s best overall performance in years, but they also enjoyed a SWAC Band Battle.

Daytona Stadium hosted an opposing SWAC band for the first time since BCU joined the conference. Alabama A&M’s Marching Maroon and White (MMW) made the trip to “Da Beach”. After speaking with many in attendance, the MMW headed back to Huntsville with a slew of new fans. The MMW are wecolmed back anytime.

BCU’s Marching Wildcats did what they always do…they “showed up and showed out”. Give AAMU’s band the edge in song selection and repertoire, but the Pride delivered in execution and overall sound quality. In the end, both bands represented well and it was the fans who were the biggest winners.

A Shift in the Air

It was great seeing the vibe in the stands all game. The bands helped with the atmosphere and the weather held off for the most part, but it was about more than the good bands and decent weather. The fans were active, engaged, and for the first time in a long time, anxiety-free. Cookman fans regained a bit of their mojo. They actually expected something good to happen, rather than waiting on disaster. Even after the game, I heard from at least a dozen fans. They all echoed the same sentiment…this was the best they had felt after a BCU game in years.

The excitement was palpable and the hope was contagious. You could see it in the way the team responded to mistakes. They didn’t allow miscues to beat them twice. Instead, they corrected them and overcame them in real time.

You could see it in the way the fans cheered…a little louder and a little longer.

And most importantly, you saw it on the scoreboard; Wildcats 41, Bulldogs 34.

I like this feeling. Heck, we all like this feeling. And judging by the team’s growing confidence, we may get to share this feeling a little more often and that’s something we can get used to.

StatisticAAMBCU
First Downs
Total2225
Rushing614
Passing1410
Penalty21
Rushing
Total (Net)125259
Attempts3235
Avg. Per Rush3.97.4
Rushing TDs14
Yds. Gained133266
Yds. Lost87
Passing
Total (Net)355257
Comp.-Att.-Int.27–41-118-25-2
Avg. / Att.8.710.3
Avg. / Comp.13.114.3
TDs32
Total Offense
Yards480516
Plays7360
Avg. / Play6.68.6
Fumbles – Lost1–10-0
Penalties – Yds.4-506–61
Punting
Punts – Yds.2-753–131
Avg. / Punt37.543.7
Inside 2010
50+ Yds.01
Touchbacks01
Fair Catch00
Kickoffs
Total – Yds.7-3687-435
Avg. Yds. / Kickoff52.662.1
Touchbacks12
Returns
Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs2–16-00-0-0
Punt: Avg. / Return8.00
Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs5-111-06-68-0
Kickoff: Avg. / Return22.211.3
INT: Total – Yds. – TDs2-0-01-0-0
Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs0-0-00-0-0
Miscellaneous
Misc. Yards00
Poss. Time31:5928:01
3rd. Down Conv.11 of 188 of 11
4th. Down Conversions3 of 30 of 0
Red-Zone: Scores – Chances3–31-1
Sacks: Total – Yds.0-02–4
PAT: Total – Made4-45–6
2PT Conversion: Total – Made0-00-0
Field Goals: Total – Made2–20-0

QtrTimeScoring PlayAAMBCU
1st09:35AAM – Faulk,David 45 yd field goal 11 plays, 53 yards, TOP 05:2130
1st09:20BCU – Ross,Javon 79 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 1 plays, 79 yards, TOP 00:1137
1st01:27AAM – Nero,Kolton 2 yd run (Faulk,David kick), 4 plays, 62 yards, TOP 01:43107
2nd13:38BCU – Ross,Javon 41 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 7 plays, 83 yards, TOP 02:441014
2nd08:41AAM – Pierre,Franck 72 yd pass from Handley,Eric (Faulk,David kick) 4 plays, 83 yards, TOP 01:101714
2nd01:18BCU – Robinson,Khamani 24 yd run ( ), 14 plays, 83 yards, TOP 07:191720
2nd00:08BCU – Shaw II,Rickie 27 yd pass from Ransom,Cam’Ron (Dominguez,Juan kick) 7 plays, 63 yards, TOP 00:541727
3rd11:31AAM – Pierre,Franck 32 yd pass from Handley,Eric (Faulk,David kick) 3 plays, 58 yards, TOP 00:572427
3rd10:18BCU – Scott Jr.,Alihaja 8 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 3 plays, 69 yards, TOP 01:072434
3rd03:44AAM – Abner,Travaunta 1 yd pass from Handley,Eric (Faulk,David kick) 12 plays, 59 yards, TOP 06:253134
4th05:58AAM – Faulk,David 19 yd field goal 15 plays, 57 yards, TOP 06:443434
4th01:07BCU – Scott Jr.,Alihaja 26 yd run (Dominguez,Juan kick), 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 04:443441
3441

Preview: BCU at South Carolina State; Sneaky Good or One-Sided 🤔

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

Credits: Bryce Hoynoski

If you ask most HBCU fans to circle the big games this weekend, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone pointing to Bethune-Cookman vs. South Carolina State. And honestly—why would they?

South Carolina State is the defending MEAC champ, sitting at 1-1 currently, and looking set to defend their crown. Bethune-Cookman, on the other hand, hasn’t factored into many meaningful contests recently and have been on the butt end of a couple of whoppings the past two weeks.

On paper, this looks like a mismatch. But call me crazy, something tells me this could be a sneaky good game this weekend.

call me crazy, something tells me this could be a sneaky good game this weekend.

J Bell – HailWildcats.com

Maybe that’s the Wildcat fanatic in me talking…Probably is.

Maybe I’m still holding on to the luster of yesteryear when the BCU vs SCSU matchup carried the intensity of a prizefight when the two were MEAC heavyweights.

Or maybe—just maybe—it’s because history says these two programs rarely give us a dud on the gridiron.

Series Split over last 10 games

The series is split at 5 wins and 5 losses apiece over the past 10 matchups. It’s split 11 wins and 9 losses in favor of the Bulldogs over the past 20.  

So despite the difference in expectations for these squads, the back-and-forth series record shows you don’t sleep on this rivalry; even when the Wildcats look down.

What to Expect Saturday

Here is Coach Woodie and the Wildcats’ chance to make an announcement to the HBCU world; and SCSU is the perfect opponent to do it against. Don’t expect the same watered-down schemes we’ve seen through Weeks 1 and 2 against BCU’s FBS opponents.

On Defense: Expect more blitz packages, more disruption, and more variations in coverages.

On Offense: Look for much more tempo, more creativity, more quarterback run, and more getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers quickly.

I’m NOT predicting a BCU upset but that’s not out of the question either. What I am predicting is the type of Dog and Cat fight that has made this series very competitive.

J Bell – HailWildcats.com

Let me be clear, I’m NOT predicting a BCU upset but that’s not out of the question either. What I am predicting is the type of Dog and Cat fight that has made this series very competitive and my favorite on the field matchup for BCU. And who knows, if things break right…well, let’s just say if things break right, it will be hard to shut me up next week.

Yeah, I know I’m crazy. I know how that sounds. I guess I will see y’all in Orangeburg.

Hail Wildcats!

November Pressure Cooker: Why the Next Month Could Shape the Next Few Years of Bethune-Cookman Football

/ J Bell / 1 Comment
Credits: Daytona Beach News-Journal

November Pressure Cooker: Why the Next Month Could Shape the Next Few Years of Bethune-Cookman Football

Bethune-Cookman football is entering a defining chapter, as November stands to be an evaluation and culture-shaping month that could impact the program for years to come. 

The little private school on “Da Beach”, who thrives on overcoming obstacles and doing more with less, is facing one of the toughest stretches in its 101-year history of playing football. In fact, you would have to look back almost 40 years to find a low point even close to what Wildcat fans have witnessed over the past 4 seasons. 

This article will try to highlight why the next four games represent not only an opportunity for redemption for the current coaching staff and squad; but a potential beachhead from which the Wildcats can launch as they attempt to ascend to the top of the mountain that is HBCU football.

A Historic Struggle with Consequences

The Wildcats are spiraling in one of the worst four-year runs that Bethune-Cookman football has ever endured and everyone feels the weight of this moment. The stakes are higher than ever for the coaching staff to chart a new course and improve on its 1-7 record.

A former Bethune-Cookman football player recently shared some valuable insight with me. He  pointed out that this season’s lineup of games offers some uniquely relevant comparisons. BCU has played or will play 10 games this year against SWAC, FCS, and Division II competition. 8 of those 10 matchups will be against teams with first- or second-year head coaches. When you consider Coach Raymond Woodie Jr. is in his second year, it presents a fair basis for comparison to measure the development and progression of this year’s Bethune-Cookman team against those other squads with first and second year guys.

Reasonable conclusions can be drawn when you consider the shared realities between BCU and so much of its competition this season. To take it a step further, it would be irresponsible to not have reasonable expectations or hold this program accountable for their performances when the like for like comparisons are so abundant.

The Revenue Angle

Despite BCU’s lackluster on-field performance, the program isn’t operating without resources. Could things be better…well course. Could they be worse? That’s also true. But this current team has the luxury of a brand new on-campus artificial turf practice field. They have a new on-campus locker room. And they have access to the same on-campus grass practice field that Wesley Moore, Alvin Wyatt, and Brian Jenkins’ championship teams practiced on.

According to the July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 EADA report, BCU’s athletic department generated $13,636,502 in revenue. This figure is the fifth-highest in the SWAC and trailed only Southern, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M during the same timeframe. The financial report at least suggests that there are enough raw resources to work with to be competitive. 

This is especially true when comparing BCU to fellow SWAC programs like Jackson State ($12,821,652)  and Florida A&M ($13,172,315), and even MEAC powerhouses like North Carolina Central ($11,339, 477) and South Carolina State ($13,271,355) —all of whom generated less revenue during the same timeframe but achieved better results on the field. 

When analyzing Bethune-Cookman’s 2024 EADA, the overall department revenue dropped precipitously from the year prior. Football specific expenses dropped from $5,270,780 in 2023 to $4,683,961 in 2024 which represents an 11.13% decrease. 

Despite the decrease in football expenses, BCU still outspent Jackson State ($2,867,733) by almost $2 million in 2024. 

November to Remember: Head to Head Evaluations Against First-Year Head Coaches in the SWAC

Considering BCU Athletics’ revenue is commensurate with its SWAC counterparts, let’s rule out the lack of resources as a factor in the team’s ongoing struggles. Instead, we can turn our attention to the field and make evaluations based on a) how this team has looked so far this season; and b) how the guys in maroon and gold will close out the year against similarly suited teams given the fact that all four games in November are against SWAC foes with first year head coaches: 

• Grambling State: Head Coach Mickey Joseph

• Southern: Head Coach Terrence Graves

• Texas Southern: Head Coach Cris Dishman

• Florida A&M: Head Coach James Colzie.

The indictment against the Wildcats heading into these four contests is that the first year guys at GSU (4-4), SU (4-4), TxSU (3-4), and FAMU (4-3) have all won multiple games and are all floating around .500.

Considering this, the logical question is why does Bethune only have one win to this point?

With each passing week, the doubts surrounding this coaching staff, this team, and this program will only grow more and more if the team continues to struggle to find success. 

On the other hand, winning a few of these last games would do more than boost this year’s record; it would send a message that Bethune-Cookman can compete with programs under similar rebuilding timelines and lay a foundation for a culture of competitiveness for the future. Even a few close losses could help build the case for Coach Woodie and his staff.

Transfer Portal and Roster Revamp: A Double-Edged Sword

Another crucial aspect of BCU’s rebuilding process that’s under the microscope is its utilization of the transfer portal. With 24 transfers on the roster this season, Coach Woodie has tapped into the potential of the portal to expedite a roster overhaul. However, the lack of return on that investment raises questions: has this transfer infusion truly moved the needle, or are we still looking for players to buy into the program’s culture and vision? What’s a reasonable amount of time supporters should expect for players to create cohesion, a shared sense of purpose, and a belief that winning here is possible?

That brings us to a hard lesson from earlier this season: Division II Clark Atlanta, winless in 2023, came into Daytona under a first-year coach, Teddy Keaton, and they walked away with a victory. Clark now sits at 5-2-1, and are assured of a winning record. This moment should serve as both a wake-up call and a challenge for BCU: if Clark can build a winning culture in such a short period, Bethune-Cookman supporters have every reason to demand the same.

What Needs to Happen in the Next Four Games

So, what does BCU need to accomplish over the next month to steer the program toward a stronger future?

1. Competitive Performances: The Wildcats need to play these next four games with consistent intensity and execution. They can’t just play well for a play, or a series, or a quarter, or a half. Football is a 60 minute game so play well to the end.

Close games, even if they end in narrow losses, will show that the team is competitive and progressing. Blowouts, however, would be another setback and may undermine the confidence of players and fans alike.

2. Defensive Accountability: The Wildcats have given up a staggering amount of yardage this season and rank last in the conference in total defense (490 ypg). To frustrate matters, a huge part of playing well on defense is effort and intensity; and effort and intensity are not something you can have questioned as a football team. To stand a chance against these upcoming SWAC teams, and to begin to rewrite the narrative around this program, the defense must prioritize tackling, play with some passion, and limit explosive plays. Or as Coach Woodie often states: play with technique, fundamentals, and attention to detail. 

3. Offensive Improvement: The Wildcats’ offense looked as good as it had all season this past Saturday in the first half of the Jackson State game. Build on that. Play that way for 4 quarters and the offense should be fine.  Quarterback Luke Sprague, running back Dennis Palmer, and wide receiver Lorenze Jenkins have all shown flashes recently. All three skill players are eligible to return next season. Couple that with several freshmen offensive linemen who have made their way into the starting lineup and you’re starting to create a foundation for the future on offense. 

4. Cultural Cohesion: A consistent challenge for programs in rebuild mode is achieving cultural buy-in from players, especially with so many new faces. The next four games should reveal whether the team has developed any resiliency and buy-in; or if there is more work to do in bringing this roster together.

5. Winning at Least Two Games: BCU needs to demonstrate progress with wins. Capturing at least two victories over the next four games would signal the Wildcats are building forward momentum. Coach Woodie led BCU to 3 wins in his first season so anything less has to be considered a failure. A couple of wins against these SWAC foes would resonate through recruiting pipelines, fan engagement, and player morale, setting the tone for next year.

Building for the future

These next few matchups are more than just a series of games—they are a critical moment to shape the program’s identity and trajectory for years to come. It is an honest opportunity to assess where BCU stands relative to programs dealing with similar realities. Now is the time for the Wildcats to demonstrate that they are capable of competing and winning consistently. 

This November will be remembered. The question is will it be remembered as the month BCU football began its resurgence or as another missed opportunity and setback for the program. Let’s hope that we can look back and say it was the start of something great. The future of Bethune-Cookman football is now, and it’s time to seize it.

Silly Season Almost Over

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

The only saving grace of this sweltering  August heat is that it signifies the end of  ‘Silly Season’. You know what Silly Season is right? It’s the time between the end of Spring football and the launch of the new season. It’s the time when the information void gets filled with guesswork, misguided enthusiasm and exaggerated claims of how good the home team will be; while the other squads are vilified and damned.

Let me phrase it this way. My high school football coach was also a hunting enthusiast. He would often say “when the tailgate drops, the bullspit stops”; except he didn’t say “spit” if you know what I mean. It became a rally call for us; kinda like that black hat that brother threw 20 feet in the air on a Montgomery Riverfront but I digress.

Here is what he meant by it. 

On a typical hunting trip, the guys would load up a pickup truck with the dogs and essential equipment. They would share laughs and jokes along the way. The dogs were still treated like pets and extensions of the family. However, once they reached the hunting grounds, the atmosphere shifted. The laughter ceased and the dogs stopped  being family pets and gave way to their primal instincts. Once the tailgate drops the guns, the boars, the untamed wilderness all become real.

King Robert Baratheon would have never been fatally injured by a boar and lost the Iron Throne had he embraced this principle more seriously.

I know college football isn’t exactly “Game of Thrones” but the point is still valid. The tailgate is just about ready to drop and it is time for the bullcrap to stop!

Once it does, all of the expert prognostications, star ratings, and preseason rankings won’t matter. The players who feel like they have been slept on, disrespected, and overlooked will soon have the opportunity to prove it outside of social media and on the gridiron. The stage is almost set for real games, with real opponents, and real consequences. 

A glance at the SWAC landscape reveals a ton of unpredictability, not the least of which is a shortage of proven quarterbacks throughout the league. That’s not to say that there aren’t talented guys vying to be their squads’ top signal callers. There are plenty of talented players, including quarterbacks, in this league; but being proven and being talented are two completely different phenomenons. The real question is who can translate talent into performance. FAMU’s Jeremy Moussa and Texas Southern’s Andrew Body have proven their worth at the position. Everyone else is hoping that they have found their guy.

To muddy things up even more in the SWAC East, half of the division welcomes first year head coaches (BCU, JSU and MVSU); and all of the schools in the East added at least 20 new players through the transfer portal. 

When you sum all of these things up, I think it is next to impossible to truly predict how this season is going to play out. About the only thing that I am willing to bet on is that the SWAC will be full of surprises. The good news is that in less than 30 days, questions will be answered the only place that really matters: ON THE FIELD. 

I can’t wait!

‘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)

Jenkins tabbed MEAC Coach of the Year; 12 @BCUGridiron athletes earn All-MEAC honors

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SONY DSCNorfolk, VA – Fourth-year head coach Brian Jenkins of Bethune-Cookman was selected for his third Coach of the Year honor.  Jenkins led the Wildcats to a 7-1 MEAC mark and a 10-2 overall record.  The Wildcats defeated Florida A&M, 29-10, to clinch a share of the conference’s regular season title and secure the MEAC’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division I (FCS) Championships. The Wildcats are currently ranked 12th in both the Sports Network’s FCS and FCS Coaches Poll.  He has led Bethune-Cookman to three MEAC titles in four years and fell just one game shy of back-to-back undefeated MEAC finishes.

Howard quarterback Greg McGhee was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year and Joe Thomas of South Carolina State earned the Defensive Player of the Year honors, as voted on by the MEAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors.

North Carolina A&T’s Tarik Cohen earned the Rookie of the Year award and Tristan Bellamy, of S.C. State, was selected as Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Junior Greg McGhee led the MEAC in total offense (272.9 avg./g) and ranked second in passing yards per game (198.2 avg./g).  He completed 228 passes on 385 attempts (59%) with 16 touchdowns in 12 games this season. He also finished the season ranked third in the MEAC in rushing with 896 yards (74.7 avg./g), on 157 attempts, and three touchdowns.  McGhee ranks 19th in the nation in total offense and 31st in completions per game (19). He earned conference Offensive Player of the Week accolades twice this season. McGhee is the tenth Bison to earn the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year honor and first since Ted White in 1996.

Joe Thomas recorded 116 total tackles, 84 solo, with a conference-best 19 tackles for a loss during the 2013 campaign.  Thomas collected 7.5 sacks, sixth in the MEAC, with one interception, five breakups, five hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to help the Bulldogs finish as the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense (80.5 avg./g) and No. 2 scoring defense (14.0 avg./g).  Thomas earned Defensive Player of the Week honors once this season and is currently listed on the Sports Network’s Buck Buchannan Award watch list, which recognizes the nation’s top Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) defensive player.  Thomas becomes the 13th Bulldog to earn the conference’s top defensive award, however he is only the second to have been selected in more than 10 years (David Erby 2010).

As a freshman, North Carolina A&T’s Tarik Cohen led the MEAC in rushing, averaging 104.4 yards per game (,) on 195 attempts with eight touchdowns.  He earned the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week accolades three times and Rookie of the Week honors twice this season.  A native of Bunn, North Carolina, Cohen became the first freshman in North Carolina A&T State history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.  Cohen’s is currently listed on the Sports Network’s Jerry Rice Award watch list, which recognizes the nation’s top FCS freshman.  Cohen is just the second Aggie to be named Rookie of the Year.  He joins the school’s all-time rushing leader, Mike Mayhew, who earned the honor in 2009.

Tristan Bellamy aided a dominating Bulldog offense that accounted for 4,101 yards of total offense ,  including 2,000 yards on the ground.  Behind Bellamy’s blocking S.C. State finished second in the MEAC in scoring offense (29.6 ppg), and third in total offense (341.1 avg./g).  Bellamy earned the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Week honor twice this season.  Bellamy is the sixth Bulldog to earn Offensive Lineman of the Year accolades.

South Carolina State led all schools with 13 student-athletes recognized on the three MEAC post-season teams.  The Bulldogs have five student-athletes earn first-team honors, in addition to two-of-four top awards.

Bethune-Cookman finished close behind with 12 student-athletes to earn post–season honors, in addition to five first-team selections.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) – 2013 Football All-Conference Teams

Offensive Player of the Year: Greg McGhee, Howard
Defensive Player of the Year: Joe Thomas, South Carolina State
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Tristan Bellamy, South Carolina State
Rookie of the Year: Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T
Coach of the Year: Brian Jenkins, Bethune-Cookman

 First Team

Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Greg McGhee Jr. Howard Pittsburgh, Pa.
RB Tarik Cohen Fr. North Carolina A&T Bunn, N.C.
RB Rolandan Finch Grad. Norfolk State New Albany, Ind.
WR Tyler McDonald Sr. South Carolina State Summerville, S.C.
WR Milton Williams III Jr. Delaware State Upper Marlboro, Md.
TE Joseph Hawkins r-Sr. Norfolk State Chicago, Ill.
C Andrew Edourad Jr. Bethune-Cookman Philadelphia, Pa.
OL Karim Barton Sr. Morgan State Los Angeles, Calif.
OL Alex Monroe Sr. Bethune-Cookman Jacksonville, Fla.
OL Domanic Wilson r-So. South Carolina State Lake City, S.C.
OL Rashard Brown Sr. Bethune-Cookman Kissimmee, Fla.
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Miles Groom So. Hampton Richmond, Va.
DL Andrew Carter r-Jr. South Carolina State Hamlet, N.C.
DL Alex Glover Jr. South Carolina State Charlotte, N.C.
DL Rodney Gunter Jr. Delaware State Haines, Fla.
LB Lynden Trail r-Jr. Norfolk State Miami, Fla.
LB Jarkevis Fields Sr. Bethune-Cookman Samford, Fla.
LB Joe Thomas r-Sr. South Carolina State Blackville, S.C.
DB Nick Addison Jr. Bethune-Cookman Tampa, Fla.
DB Darrin Marrow r-Jr. Norfolk State Virginia Beach, Va.
DB Justin Blake r-Sr. Hampton Piscataway, N.J.
DB Ademola Olatunji Jr. Howard Riverdale, Md.
P Lawrence Forbes r-Fr. Morgan State Upper Marlboro, Md.
PK Anthony Prevost Fr. Hampton Chesterfield, Va.
RS Adrian Wilkins r-So. North Carolina Central Forest City, N.C.

Second Team

Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Cory Murphy Sr. Delaware State Sunnyvale, Calif.
RB Isidore Jackson Sr. Bethune-Cookman Mossy Head, Fla.
RB Anthony Philyaw Fr. Howard Redondo Beach, Calif.
WR Eddie Poole Grad. Bethune-Cookman Belle Glade, Fla.
WR Simon Heyward Sr. Savannah State Savannah, Ga.
TE Kris Drummond Jr. Savannah State Washington, D.C.
C Tristan Bellamy r-Sr. South Carolina State Johnston, S.C.
OL William Robinson r-Jr. North Carolina A&T Clinton, Md.
OL Nathan Isles Sr. North Carolina A&T Atlanta, Ga.
OL Darren Pinnock Jr. Morgan State Miami, Fla.
OL Kory Alpichi Jr. Hampton Winchester, Calif.
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Dyron Dye Grad. Bethune-Cookman Sanford, Fla.
DL Javon Hargrave So. South Carolina State Salisbury, N.C.
DL LeBrandon Richardson Jr. Bethune-Cookman Miami, Fla.
DL Deon King So. Norfolk State Reston, Va.
LB D’Vonte Grant Sr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, N.C.
LB Delbert Tyler Sr. Hampton Monroeville, Pa.
LB Tazmon Foster Sr. North Carolina Central Henderson, N.C.
DB D’Vonte Graham Sr. North Carolina A&T Tallahassee, Fla.
DB Michael Jones Fr. North Carolina Central Baltimore, Md.
DB Kimario McFadden Sr. South Carolina State Riverdale, Ga.
DB Carvin Johnson Sr. Hampton New Orleans, La.
P Christian Faber-Kinney r-Fr. Hampton Williamsburg, Va.
PK Nick Belcher r-Sr. South Carolina State Sumter, S.C.
RS* Tubotein Taylor Sr. Morgan State Anaheim, Calif.
RS* D’Vonte Graham Sr. North Carolina A&T Tallahassee, Fla.

Third Team

Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Richard Cue r-Sr. South Carolina State Florence, S.C.
RB Lamont Brown r-Fr. Morgan State Suffolk, Va.
RB Justin Taylor r-Sr. South Carolina State Atlanta, Ga.
WR Antwon Chisholm Sr. Hampton Belle Glade, Fla.
WR* Lenworth Lennon r-Jr. Florida A&M Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
WR* Malik Golson r-Fr. Delaware State Smyrna, Del.
TE Termarrick Hemingway r-So. South Carolina State Loris, S.C.
C Joshua Matthews Sr. Howard Bowman, S.C.
OL Toree Boyd Fr. Howard Miami, Fla.
OL Deonta Allen-Wright r-So. Howard Midolthian, Va.
OL Blake Matthews r-Sr. Norfolk State Manassas, Va.
OL Anthony Kibler Jr. Bethune-Cookman Belle Glade, Fla.
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Tyree Hearn Sr. North Carolina A&T Durham, N.C.
DL Damon Gresham Chisholm So. Howard Covington, Ga.
DL George Riddick Jr. Norfolk State Suffolk, Va.
DL Tevin Toney Sr. Bethune-Cookman Sebring, Fla.
LB Marquis Smith So. Savannah State Prince Georges County, Md.
LB Cody Acker Jr. Morgan State Greenbelt, Md.
LB Ernest Adjei Sr. Delaware State Woodbridge, Ga.
DB Terrick Colston So. Delaware State Lakeland, Fla.
DB Travis Crosby Sr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, N.C.
DB John Wilson Sr. Savannah State Athens, Ga.
DB* Tim Burke Sr. Bethune-Cookman Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
DB* Patrick Aiken r-So. Florida A&M Miramar, Fla.
P Oleg Parent Jr. North Carolina Central Lake Forest, Calif.
PK Cody Jones Fr. North Carolina A&T Gastonia, N.C.
RS Darius Drummond Sr. South Carolina State Asheville, N.C.

*indicates tie

BCU draws Coastal Carolina for 2nd straight year in FCS Playoffs 1st Round

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

SONY DSCFor the second consecutive year, Bethune-Cookman (10-2) and Coastal Carolina (10-2) will square off in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

The Wildcats, who fell to the Chanticleers 24-14 in Daytona Beach last season, will travel to Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. for a 1:00 kickoff according to www.ncaa.com.

The BCU/CCU winner will travel cross-country for a matchup with Montana who received a first-round bye and the tournaments 8th seed.

Bethune-Cookman defeated their in-state rival Florida A&M 29-10 in this past Saturday’s Florida Blue Florida Classic.  The 45,321 fans in attendance watched the Wildcat defense dominate the FAMU offense limiting the Rattlers to just 89 yards of total offense on the afternoon.

BCU is one of three HBCU teams headed to the FCS playoffs this season.  MEAC Co-Champion, South Carolina State (9-3), and Ohio Valley 2nd place finisher, Tennessee State (9-3), join the Wildcats in the field of twenty-four.

South Carolina State will host their first ever FCS playoff game in a matchup against fellow Palmetto State foe Furman of the Southern Conference while Tennessee State will hit the road for a matchup against Butler (9-3) of the Pioneer League.

The Wildcats own victories over both SCSU and Tenn State this season.  All three games involving HBCU squads kickoff on Saturday at 1:00 EST and can be seen on ESPN3.

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

/ J Bell / 3 Comments

SONY DSC

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.

SONY DSC

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.

SONY DSC

 

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

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KJ Stroud ClassicThe 34th installment of the Florida Blue Florida Classic between in-state rivals Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M is upon us. The contest has grown into one of the premier HBCU showcases attracting over one and half million fans since its inception in 1978. The two teams have combined for twelve (12) conference titles during that same timeframe and have created many memorable moments in this annual showdown.

Players and coaches from both teams will look to create their own signature Florida Classic moment when the two teams square off Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl.

Here is a look back at some of the more memorable games played in Florida Classic history.

Memorable Florida Classic Moments

1978 – Florida A&M trailed BCU 17-0 at halftime in the first ever Florida Classic played in Tampa Stadium. The Rattlers scored 27 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 27-17 victory. Rudy Hubbard’s squad went on to win the first 1-AA (now FCS) National Championship later that season. A year later (1979) BCU won their first Florida Classic 25-20.

1994 – BCU QB Tony Kerrin connected with Morris Nobles on a 2 yard TD reception in the corner of the endzone to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead with :47 remaining in the contest. BCU went on to win by the same margin and Coach Cy McClairen earned his first victory over the Rattlers as a head coach.

2003 – Daytona Beach native and current Chicago Bear, Eric Weems, scored 3 touchdowns and helped the Wildcats rally from a 28-10 halftime deficit. The final touchdown was set up by a fake punt attempt on 4th and 17 with less than 2:00 remaining in the contest. A FAMU player was flagged for pass interference on the fake punt and BCU was awarded an automatic first down.

Later in the drive quarterback Allen Suber avoided a sack, rolled to his right, and hit Weems who beat triple coverage just beyond the pylon with 9 seconds remaining in the game. BCU prevailed 39-35 in front of the largest crowd (73,358) in Florida Classic history.

2004 – Florida Classic fans were treated to the first overtime in the history of the series. The Wildcats eventually prevailed 58-52.

FAMU’s Ben Dougherty (QB) and Roosevelt Kiser (WR) had career days in that contest. Midway through the third quarter, Dougherty connected with Kiser on a 66 yard TD reception and extended FAMU’s lead to 45-24.

Head coach Alvin Wyatt then made the decision to move eventual three-time All-Pro defensive back Nick Collins from safety to cornerback with the assignment of blanketing Kiser. The move proved to be very effective for the maroon and gold. The FAMU passing game was severely limited as a result of the coaching decision and the Wildcats outscored FAMU 34-7 from that point forward. Rodney Johnson’s 15 yard touchdown run in overtime sealed the victory for BCU.

Coach Wyatt, who was overcome with emotion after the win, fainted and had to be carted off the field by medical personnel. Wyatt was eventually treated for dehydration but was no worse for the wear.

Not only was the 2004 victory the first overtime fame in Florida Classic history, it was also the first time that BCU won three consecutive victories over the FAMU.

2005 – Like the year prior, this game was also decided in overtime; only this time FAMU would emerge as the victor. The Rattlers entered the contest as underdogs and quickly fell behind to the Wildcats 17-0. But A&M slowly climbed back into the contest and forced the game into overtime on the strength of a Wesley Taylor 43-yard field goal with less than 3 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Taylor’s 26-yarder in overtime vaulted the Rattlers to a 26-23 win.

2010 – BCU entered the 2010 FC (Brian Jenkins’ first year) with an unblemished 10-0 record. However, a 3rd quarter injury to eventual MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Matt Johnson, derailed BCU’s high-octane “Speedway Offense.” FAMU capitalized on the opportunity and secured a 38-27 win in one of the biggest upsets in FC history. Phillip Sylvester scored 3 times for the Rattlers and rushed for 146 yards on 26 carries in the process.