Wildcat

Brian Jenkins to remain as BCU’s head coach

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

HAIL-WILDCATS_GOLD LogoDaytona Beach – Bethune-Cookman interim president, Dr. Edison Jackson, athletic director Lynn Thompson, and head coach Brian Jenkins announced to an assembly of media and Wildcat supporters that Brian Jenkins will remain as the head football coach at BCU.

“Mr. Jenkins has given me an early Christmas gift by remaining with (the Bethune-Cookman) family” Dr. Jackson stated. 

Less than 24 hours ago, coach Jenkins was scheduled to spend all day Thursday completing a comprehensive interview for the same position at Southern University in Louisiana.  But in an 11th hour change of heart, Jenkins cancelled his interview with Southern on Wednesday night and inked a contract extension to remain at the Daytona Beach institution.

Jenkins stated “it’s not all about finances and it’s not all about football”.  “It all boils down to family and wanting to be with family”.  He went on to state: “if I were to end my career at Bethune-Cookman I would be okay with that”.

The Wildcats are 27-8 under the fiery third year head coach.  Jenkins led BCU to their first ever 10-0 start in 2010, their first ever 8-0 mark in MEAC play in 2012, and two (2) of the last three (3) MEAC titles.

Check back to read more details on today’s press conference including quotes from the head coach and administration.

Coach Jenkins continues to rack up the accolades

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Photo Credits: Jerrime Bell

Photo Credits: Jerrime Bell

WACO, Texas – Bethune-Cookman football head coach Brian Jenkins has been named as this year’s American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Football Championship Subdivision Region Two Coach of the Year announced Monday morning by the AFCA office.

Recently completing his third year at the helm in Daytona Beach, Jenkins shares this year’s award with Stony Brook’s Chuck Piore who led his team to the second round of the FCS Playoffs. For Jenkins, this is the second time in the last three years he has won the award for Region Two, also picking up the honor in 2010.

Jenkins, the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year, led the Wildcats to an MEAC title and the first undefeated conference season for the Maroon and Gold since 1984. This past season, the Wildcats went 9-3 (8-0 MEAC) and played host to Coastal Carolina in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach. It was the second MEAC title for the Cats under Jenkins – the fifth of its kind in school history – and they played host to an FCS Playoff competition for the third time in the past 10 years.

Since his arrival in Daytona Beach, Jenkins has compiled an overall record of 27-8, and an unprecedented 21-3 mark in league play. He has helped the Wildcats to two MEAC titles, two FCS Playoff appearances and been named the MEAC Coach of the Year twice.

Read on: http://www.bcuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23910&ATCLID=205819638

Missed Opportunities cost BCU chance to secure 1st playoff victory

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You can use two words to sum up Bethune-Cookman’s 24-14 first round playoff defeat to Coastal Carolina: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES. 

On BCU’s first two (2) possessions of Saturday’s matchup against the Chanticleers, quarterback Quentin Williams overshot passes to Jhomo Gordon, KJ Stroud, and Eddie Poole that would have been surefire touchdowns.  

Daytona Beach native DJ Howard had an opportunity to return a pick six from inside the CCU 15 yard line on the Chants opening offensive possession, however, the Spruce Creek product was unable to hold on to the interception.  So instead of the Wildcats leading by 2 or 3 scores early in the contest, they found themselves trailing 17-0 heading into halftime.

“In the playoffs you’ve got to seize opportunities.  If you don’t, the opportunity will go right pass you” quarterback Quentin Williams stated.  He went on to state “in the playoffs it’s not about who’s better or who’s worse, it is about who takes advantage of the opportunities”.

While BCU missed on its chances, CCU took full advantage of the Wildcats’ miscues and scored 10 points off of 2 BCU turnovers in the second quarter.

Coastal Carolina opened the game’s scoring on a 6 play 75 yard drive with 13:50 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter.  The drive was capped by a 14 yard option run by Marcus Whitener.  The Wildcats initially defended the play well but senior quarterback Aramis Hillary pitched the ball late allowing Whitener to run untouched for the opening score.

The Chants doubled their lead when All Big South 1st team receiver Matt Hazel outleaped Tim Burke in the left corner of the endzone to cap a 9 play 58 yard drive with 7:23 left in the 2nd quarter.

“I told coach to call that play” Hazel stated.  (They were) “in man coverage across the board.  Aramis threw a great ball and I saw it at the last minute and just went and got it”.

Controversy struck on BCU’s next possession.  Trailing 14-0 midway through the second quarter, Williams hit tight end Jordan Murphy for a short gain.  Murphy was originally ruled down on the play but a booth review overturned the call. 

Coach Brian Jenkins went ballistic when the game’s head official announced the decision to overturn the call. 

“(Jordan) did fumble.  We had a couple of players in the area but (when the official blew the play dead) they stopped.  Their player recovered the ball but if you blow the play dead, I don’t understand how you go back and review it.  My argument was you blew the play dead so it negates anything else” Jenkins stated.

Quentin Williams echoed his coach’s sentiments: “when Murph (Jordan Murphy) caught the ball, I heard the official blow the whistle.  That’s why I stopped.”

Coastal took over possession at the BCU 43 yard line as a result of the play.  5 plays later, Apopka High School product, Alex Catron, pushed CCU’s lead to 17-0 on a 35 yard FG conversion.  The score remained unchanged heading into intermission.

Early in the 3rd quarter, redshirt freshmen Nick Addison picked off an Aramis Hillary pass in the endzone to help breathe life into the Wildcats.  But the Chanticleer defense kept BCU off the scoreboard on the ensuing possession.

Brodrick Waters entered the contest for an ineffective Quentin Williams on the Wildcats second possession in the 3rd quarter.  Waters broke on a 57 yard run on his first drive under center.  BCU got the ball as deep as the CCU 4 yard line on the drive but a false start penalty pushed the ball back to the CCU 11 yard line. 

Coach Jenkins suffered his second visible meltdown of the game and had to be physically restrained by BCU administrators and coaches after the false start penalty was called against his squad.

“We had our guys go from a 2 point stand to a 3 point stand and they called us for a false start.  None of our guys jumped.  Two officials called offsides and one called illegal shift.  When I asked for an explanation I got three different answers”. 

Jenkins’ was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his reaction to the call and cost his team an opportunity for a chip shot field goal.  The result of the play put the ball on the 26 yard line but instead of attempting a 43 yard FG, Jenkins decided to go for it on 4th and 26.

Waters found KJ Stroud in the back of the endzone on the 4th and 26 play and BCU seemed to be back in business. But it wasn’t meant to be.  The television replay showed Stroud’s hand landed out of bounds before his foot landed in the endzone.  The overturned touchdown call embodied BCU’s afternoon of missed opportunities.

Coastal Carolina safety, Johnnie Houston put the game out of reach when he returned a Brodrick Waters’ interception 68 yards to put Coastal ahead 24-0.  Houston’s return was the 2nd longest interception return in school history.

A 74 yard touchdown pass from Quentin Williams to David Blackwell with 6:44 left in the game gave Bethune its first points of the afternoon.   Williams connected with KJ Stroud in the back of the endzone on the 2 point conversion attempt to cut the lead into a two possession contest (24-8).

Isidore Jackson’s 10 yard touchdown run capped off the game’s scoring.  Jackson, who needed just 8 yards rushing to reach 1,000 on the season, finished the contest with 77 yards on the ground and 1,069 on the year.  Jackson’s 1,069 yards represents the 3rd best rushing season in BCU history.

Quentin Williams threw for 215 yards and 1 touchdown.  It was the first time he surpassed the 200 yard passing mark in his career.

Jarkevis Fields led the Wildcats defense with 15 tackles.  Nick Addison pitched in with 10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and an interception.

The MEAC is now 0 for its last 17 as a conference in the FCS playoffs. 

Redshirt freshmen, Nick Addison and Quentin Williams, vowed to take this bad feeling and get better in the offseason.  Both players stated that Bethune-Cookman will win a playoff game before their eligibility expires in three years.

The Wildcats are now 0-4 in the FCS playoffs. 

The win secured Coastal Carolina’s first ever playoff victory.  The Chanticleers will travel to Norfolk, Virgina next week to take on #4 ranked Old Dominion.

BCU/Coastal Carolina Game Preview

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If Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins and Coastal Carolina head coach Joe Moglia ever decided to talk football over a cup of coffee (or quality adult beverage), the two men are likely to share very similar coaching stories.    

Moglia, who is in his first season at CCU, guided the Chanticleers to a three-way share of the Big South conference title and earned the league’s FCS playoff automatic qualifier bid.  Jenkins led his Fighting Wildcats to a three-way share of the MEAC crown and the conference’s AQ in his first season at Bethune in 2010.

Jenkins and Moglia have both been named as 2012 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award finalist; both coaches are disciples of the spread offense; and they both preach the gospel of ‘developing young men’.

When the two faceoff on Saturday at 2:00 P.M. at Daytona Beach’s Municipal Stadium, both will look to secure the first ever FCS playoff victory for their respective programs.  (BCU is 0-3 in the FCS playoff play while Coastal is 0-2 in the postseason tournament.)

When Coastal has the ball

The Chants are led on offense by Big South All-Conference 1st team selectee, Aramis Hillary.  The University of South Carolina transfer ranked tops in the Big South and 23rd nationally in total offense (261.7 ypg).  Hillary is a dual threat player who can hurt you with his legs and his arm.  But coach Moglia cites a different primary reason for Hillary’s success:

“One of his biggest strengths is that he makes good decisions. We give him progressions on all of his reads, whether it be through the option run or through the pass and he’s been great at that. He’s been effective when he’s had to run and throw the ball and that’s primarily due to the fact that he’s been able to make good decisions.”

Hillary’s favorite target this season has been fellow Big South 1st team selectee Matt Hazel.  The 6-3, 190 pound junior receiver has caught 49 passes for 615 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Hazel was described by his coach as a precise route runner who understands coverages and has great hands. 

Offensive Center Pat Williams and slot receiver/punt returner Niccolo Mastromatteo are also Big South first team performers.  It was Williams and Mastromatteo that jumped off the film for coach Brian Jenkins.

“#20 (Mastromatteo) is very exciting.  I really like watching him on film.  I have this thing for little guys and I don’t know why”.  Coach Jenkins went on to state: “the Center (Williams) is a very physical, nasty player, and I mean nasty in a good way, not in a cheap shot way.  He plays the game like an old-school football player and I love that”.

Our take

The Chanticleers boost an explosive offense whose greatest strength lie in its balance.  On the season, CCU has rushed for 2200 yards while gaining 2569 through the air.  Quarterback Aramis Hillary has the ability to break contain and extend plays with his feet.  Wide out Matt Hazel was one of the Big South’s best possession receivers this season while fellow wide-out Niccolo Mastromatteo proved to be one of the most explosive players in the conference. 

The Wildcat defense has been good all year applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks and will need to do so on Saturday to help slow down the Coastal offensive attack.  The defensive front and particularly the defensive ends will need to remain discipline in their pass rush responsibilities and keep their containment assignments.  On the back end, BCU’s secondary has been outstanding this year at limiting big plays through the air and taking the ball away.  They will need to turn in another top flight effort on Saturday in hopes of keeping the CCU offense contained.

Here is a look at the Chants’ relevant offensive statistics:

Rushing offense:          200.00 ypg
Passing offense:          233.55 ypg
Total offense:            433.55 ypg 
Scoring offense:          35.18 ypg

 Notable: WR/PR Niccolo Mastromatteo is responsible for the 2nd and 3rd longest scoring plays in CCU football history (a 91 yard punt return against Charleston Southern in 2010 and an 81 yard punt return against Presbyterian earlier this season).

 When Coastal is on defense

From a statistical standpoint, the Chanticleers defense has been less than stellar throughout the course of the season.  CCU ranks in the bottom third in most of the important national defensive statistical categories.  The Chants give up an average of 26.55 points per game, 181 yards rushing per contest, and over 400 yards of total offense.

Playoff bound opponent Appalachian State racked up 684 yards of offense on CCU while 3-8 Gardner-Webb piled up 547 yards of offense on the Chants. 

Despite the statistics, coach Jenkins sees a defense on film who is “a well-coached football team.  The defensive front is very aggressive, their linebackers run to the ball well, and the defensive secondary don’t get beat deep much”.

Sophomore linebacker Quinn Backus is an All-American candidate and was named the Big South Defensive Player of the year this season.  Backus set the CCU single-season mark with 123 tackles and ranks 10th nationally averaging 11.2 tackles per contest.  He was also responsible for forcing 3 fumbles and picking off 2 passes this season.

Our take

Coach Moglia stated in his weekly teleconference that the Wildcats will move the ball on his squad but his team must limit the big plays.  With that in mind, BCU’s offense must take advantage of a CCU defensive unit that has been poorest at spots throughout the season.  The Wildcat offense can ill-afford to help the CCU defense by putting themselves in adverse situations and piling up reckless penalties. 

CCU’s base defense is a 4-2-5.  BCU must use their size advantage up front to establish the running game. You would also like to see the Wildcats not struggle to the slow start that has plagued them at times this season.  If the Wildcats protect the ball and execute to their normal standard, they should find great success against the Chanticleer defense.

WHAT IS A CHANTICLEER?

Chanticleer (SHON-ti-cleer) comes from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.  A Chanticleer is a rooster who rules the barnyard with cunning and wit. His competitiveness never wanes as he battles to the end, using his brains to come out on top.

Quick Facts:

~ Junior running back, Isidore Jackson, needs just 8 more yards to reach 1,000 yards on the season.  Jackson would be just the 6th BCU player in the modern era to reach the 1,000 yard milestone and the first to do so since quarterback Allen Suber ran for 1,035 in 2002.

~ Assuming Quentin Williams doesn’t turn an ankle in practice, this will be the first time BCU has entered a playoff contest with a healthy signal-caller.  In BCU’s last playoff appearance (2010), MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, Matt Johnson, was unable to participate due to a shoulder injury.  Coach Jenkins stated earlier this week that 11 starters on offense and defense were missing in that game.

~ A win on Saturday would give BCU its fourth 10-win season in history and the 2nd in the Brian Jenkins era.

BCU by the Numbers

Category                    Nat’l Rank     Avg.
Rushing Offense             10             247.45
Passing Offense             111             38.45
Total Offense                50              385.91
Scoring Offense             34              30.82
Turnover Margin             3                1.64
Rushing Defense            28              129.55
Pass Defense                10               164.55
Pass Efficiency Def         1                 95.18
Total Defense                5                 294.09
Scoring Defense             10               17.73

Key Player Rankings

Rushing:                          Isidore Jackson (90.18 YPG) – 41st
All-Purpose Runners:        Isidore Jackson (102.36 YPG) – 84th
Total Offense:                Quentin Williams (156.33) – 94th

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.  The game will be streamed live on WatchESPN.com.  HailWildcats.com will host a Live Chat during the game.  The Live Chat will provide posters with a highly interactive platform in which they can discuss and follow the game as it is happening live. The Live Chat interfaces with Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

@BCUAthletics, @BCUExaminer, and @HailWildcats Twitter feeds will interface with the Live Chat. This will allow the posters to interact with the men and women who are dedicated to bringing you the most in-depth coverage of Bethune-Cookman football.  The Chat will also allow users to access the most up to date gameday information from one centralized location.

You can participate in the Live Chat by posting your opinions/feedback/questions or by simply following along. All are encouraged to participate.

The Live Chat Link will become active at approximately 1:45 p.m. on gameday and will be available on the HailWildcats.com front page.

Final Florida Classic Rant

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

Undisputed and outright champs

At the conclusion of this past Saturday’s Florida Classic, coach Brian Jenkins was seen hugging players, celebrating with the Marching Wildcats, and wearing a 2012 MEAC Champions Belt around his waist.  Yeah you heard me, coach Jenkins was rocking a Championship belt around his waist that Dusty Rhodes would have been proud to don. 

“I have been telling (our football team) about the belt.  You want to be the one to put on the belt in the end.  Right now this phase of our season is done.  We have won this belt and hopefully we can put things together and be able to put on another (belt)” coach Jenkins stated.

 Look Good Play Good

BCU White Helmet

The Bethune-Cookman football team wore all white uniforms (helmets included) for the first time in school history on Saturday.  The new white headgear is the fourth helmet the Wildcats have competed in during the Brian Jenkins era.  When asked about the abundance of helmets and uniform combinations, coach Jenkins stated: “the young men deserve it.  We are so hard on our young men throughout the year about doing things right.  I believe in rewarding them for the effort that they put in for this university.  So it’s things like that I do to show them appreciation for their effort, dedication, commitment and passion to each other, for each other, and also for this university”.

He went on to state: “the guys did not know when the white helmets were coming.  When they came into the locker room before the game, they saw the maroon helmets.  They put them on (and went out for pregame).  When they came back in (the locker room) they saw the white helmets.  The helmets gave our guys a charge and some excitement to our fans”.  “I don’t know you might see a different helmet next week” (in the playoff matchup).

BCU is 4-0 in helmet reveal games during the Brian Jenkins era.

Eddie Robinson Award Finalist

Coach Brian Jenkins, who has led his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats to their second FCS playoff appearance in three years, has been named a 2012 Eddie Robinson Award Finalist.  The award is presented annually to the national coach of the year in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) by The Sports Network.

“Obviously, this is an extreme honor to be named a finalist for an award of this magnitude,” expressed Brian Jenkins on Monday afternoon. “This award not only shows the hard work of a head coach, his staff and players throughout the year, but also the hard work and dedication of a man for whom the award is named. “Not only was Eddie Robinson an inspiration to me, but he paved the way for African-American coaches like myself and many more to reach new heights in the college football coaching ranks. Again, it’s such an honor to be named a finalist for this award.”

Coach Jenkins led BCU to their first ever 10-0 start when he arrived on campus in 2010.  Saturday’s win earned the Wildcats their first ever 8-0 season in league play.     

The Wildcats, who earned the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, will host Big South champion Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.  Tickets can be purchsed from the Bethune-Cookman Box Office or from Ticketmaster.com.

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 2012 MEAC Champs

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SAVANNAH, Ga. — Quentin Williams threw two touchdown passes and ran for 121 of Bethune-Cookman’s 377 rushing yards as the Wildcats beat Savannah State 49-7 Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

BCU’s win coupled with North Carolina Central’s 22-21 loss to Florida A&M sealed the 2012 MEAC Championship for the Wildcats. Congratulations to the 2012 Wildcats for securing Bethune-Cookman’s 2nd MEAC title in 3 years and the Cat’s first outright title since 2002. 

Williams completed 9 of 12 passes for 103 yards and threw touchdown passes of 11 and 36 yards. His second touchdown, a strike to David Blackwell, gave Bethune-Cookman a 35-0 halftime lead.

Isidore Jackson finished with 100 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries for Bethune-Cookman (8-2, 7-0).  Jackson is needs just 82 yards to reach 1,000 rushing on the season.  Rodney Scott posted 51 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and Brodrick Waters tallied 47 yards on six carries.

Savannah State (1-9, 0-7) got on the board midway through the third quarter when Cornel Weston recovered a fumble in the end zone. But Waters scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to create the final margin.

Bethune-Cookman smothered Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostick all game, forcing three interceptions and recording four sacks.

Cats hold on for a 24-13 win over Morgan State

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Baltimore–Bethune-Cookman survived the cold weather and a feisty Morgan State squad to improve to 6-0 in MEAC play.

BCU’s defense limited the Bears to 197 yards of total offense and held the conference’s leading rusher, Travis Davidson, to 46 yards on the ground on 17 carries.

MSU opened the game’s scoring on a 1 play, 4 yard touchdown drive 6 minutes into the contest.  The drive started after Quentin Williams was stripped from behind and fumbled inside the Wildcat s 5 yard line.

The Wildcats responded with a 13 play, 71 yard drive that ended with a 24 yard Sven Hurd field goal. 

BCU took their first lead of the game (10-7) when Quentin Williams hit Eddie Poole in the back of the endzone for a 5 yard TD reception.  The Cats did not have to travel far for the go-ahead score.  Dawud Lane intercepted a Robert Council pass and returned it to the Bear’s 8-yard line.  Williams hit Poole 5 plays later for the score.  Lane’s interception extended BCU’s consecutive game with an interception streak to 16.

On Morgan State’s next possession, BCU defensive back Dion Hanks was ejected for striking a Morgan State player.  Coach Brian Jenkins vehemently disagreed with the official’s ruling, received 2 consecutive unsportsmanlike penalties for excessively protesting and was subsequently ejected from the game himself.

The NCAA does not officially track ejections, but NCAA representatives said Jenkins could be the first head football coach ever ejected from a college football game.

Morgan State tied the contest at 10-10 on a 32 yard Earvin Gonzalez field goal just before halftime.

The Wildcats took advantage of a Morgan State special teams miscue to begin the second half.  MSU fumbled the 3rd quarter kickoff and 5 plays later, quarterback Brock Waters scored on a 6 yard TD run to give the Wildcats a 17-10 lead.

Gonzalez kicked his 2nd field goal of the contest, this time a 38 yarder, which cut the BCU lead to 17-13 early in the 4th quarter.  However, the Bears could get no closer. 

Junior running back Isidore Jackson, who finished the contest with 111 yards rushing on 19 attempts, quelled any lingering thoughts of a Morgan State upset when he raced 19 yards for the game’s final score with just over 2:00 left in the contest. 

Dawud Lane led the BCU defense with 6 tackles, an interception, and a blocked field goal. 

The Wildcats travel to Savannah, Georgia next week to take on Savannah State Tigers.  Kickoff is scheduled for  5:00 p.m.

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/.

What we learned from BCU’s Week 9 victory over NCCU

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Courtesy of BCU Athletics

1.  BCU can run the ball

This past Saturday’s matchup pitted Bethune-Cookman’s #1 ranked rushing offense, against North Carolina Central’s #1 ranked rushing defense.  In the end, the Wildcats simply overwhelmed the Eagles on the ground rushing for 274 yards and 5 touchdowns.

On BCU’s 1st drive of the second half, the Wildcats drove the ball 63 yards on 5 plays to pull ahead 21-17.  All 5 plays were runs.  That drive shifted momentum and highlighted BCU’s physicality advantage over the Eagles.  The Cats seized control of the game at that point and never looked back.  Junior running back Isidore Jackson carried the ball 14 times for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns in the contest.  The performance was good enough to earn Jackson College Football Performance Awards National Running Back of the Week recognition.  Speaking of Jackson, we learned that …

2.  Ike is fast enough

During BCU’s preseason media day event, Jackson stated that he had decent but not great speed.  However, Jackson’s speed was good enough to help him record the 4th longest touchdown run in BCU history.  Jackson took a pitch off the left side of the line, broke a tackle, made a few guys miss, and raced 93 yards to give BCU a 28-17 lead.

3.  Marching Wildcats do yo’ thang

In the last three home games, The Pride’s halftime ballads were: ‘In my Bed’ – Dru Hill; ‘If I Had My Way’ – Chrisette Michelle; and ‘Stairway to Heaven’ – The O’Jays.  All three pieces were simply amazing.  The band could have scrambled on to the field, played those ballads and walked off and I would have been perfectly fine with their performance.  They really did sound that good.  Hail Wildcats and Hail Pride! 

(Okay, now back to football.)

4.  Coach Jenkins really does have a rotating quarterback system

Heading into last week’s game, it seemed that Quentin Williams had gained sole ownership of the starting quarterback position.  Williams started the three prior games during which he threw 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and completed nearly 70% of his passes. 

Coach Jenkins stated that Quentin did not take care of some of his responsibilities off the field and that Brodrick Waters had a better week of practice on the field.  As a result, it was Waters who started the contest for BCU.  Waters led BCU on their first scoring drive and rushed for 53 yards on the afternoon. 

Although not the starter, Williams saw significant action during Saturday’s game.  Included in Williams’ highlights was a 76 yard touchdown pass thrown to Preston Cleckley in the 2nd quarter.

Courtesy of BCU Athletics

5.  De-fense, De-fense

Here is a number for you; “9”.  That’s the number of snaps, NCCU took inside the BCU 10 yard line on their first possession of the second half.  The Eagles got the ball as close as the 1 yard line, but an illegal procedure penalty backed NCCU up to the 6 yard line. 

A Bethune-Cookman player said ‘Hut,’ and that’s why we jumped offside,” Frazier said. “It wasn’t our quarterback, I’ll just say that”.  BCU safety, D.J. Howard, and linebacker, Dawud Lane, claimed ignorance to the coaches claim during postgame interviews.

The Wildcats limited the Eagles to a field goal on that possession and those would be Central’s last points of the contest.  BCU’s defense has now surrendered 7, 0, 0, 16, 3, 0, and 3 points in the second half of games against FCS opponents this season.  That equates to 4.1 points per game in the second half.  Not bad…not bad at all!