Sunday, September 2, 2007

King redeems self, leads B-CU


By BRENT WORONOFF, Staff Writer

Russell throws, runs for 100 yards

DAYTONA BEACH -- Defensive end Dennis King took a step back into coverage and immediately knew he had made a mistake.

Before the Bethune-Cookman defensive end could reverse his momentum, Jacksonville running back Tommie Rodgers ran by him on a 28-yard screen pass for a first-quarter touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

But while King was not able to reverse his momentum on that play, he and his B-CU teammates were able to reverse the Dolphins' early momentum and grind out a 31-17 season-opening victory Saturday before an announced crowd of 7,845 at Municipal Stadium.

B-CU quarterback Jimmie Russell ran for three touchdowns and surpassed 100 yards in both rushing and passing, while fullback Justin Brannon also rushed for more than 100 yards.

"When we can establish the B-back (Brannon) like we did today, our offense can really go," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats' defense, which found itself back on its heels in the first quarter, took over the game in the second half.

King, who was victimized early, helped put the game away late in the third quarter with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 24-10 lead.

"We adjusted by eliminating our ends from dropping down to the backs and putting our linebackers on the backs," Wyatt said. "Dennis King sure made up for that mistake by getting that touchdown."

King score turned the game around, said Jacksonville coach Kerwin Bell, the former Florida quarterback who lost in his college head-coaching debut Saturday.

"We were still within one touchdown before that interception," Bell said. "Chris (Horton) got hit when he threw it."

It was King's third touchdown of his career and the second by an interception return.

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"I saw (Horton) back up, and he took more steps than he usually took," King said. "Two outside guys were under pressure, so I just stepped back and it was right there."

Russell passed for 103 yards and rushed for 114 yards, including touchdown runs of 13, 33 and 8 yards.

While the Wildcats' offense began establishing the running game late in the first quarter, the defense slowed down Bell's wide-open offense with three second-half interceptions. Bobbie Williams and Cedric Mason had the other two interceptions.

"It made me think back to when I first put this offense in at (Ocala Trinity Catholic High School) with people going to all the wrong places. It's not natural for everybody right now," Bell said. "It's a work in process. When you're down you can't go into rush mode, you've got to be patient. We can't have three turnovers in the passing game for us to be very good."

The Dolphins looked very good running their multiple sets on a 76-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, despite committing three offensive penalties inside the 'Cats' 30. JU converted on a fourth-and-one at B-CU's 31 to keep the drive alive.

But B-CU tied the score on its next possession as Russell scored on a 13-yard run. Russell's 33-yard touchdown run, which featured a dive across the goal line starting from the 5, put the 'Cats ahead 14-10 with 3:32 left in the second quarter. Lucas Esquivel added a 33-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Russell put the game out of reach with his final score with 4:25 left in the game. The Dolphins scored on Jeremy Brown's 1-yard run with 2:10 remaining.


QUESTIONS & ATTITUDE

Today's compelling questions -- and maybe a few actual answers

Were the Wildcats caught by surprise by the Dolphins' multiple formations on offense early in the game?

They expected Jacksonville to keep running the middle screen, but they were burned by that play often early on, until adjusting in the second quarter. What hurt B-CU most was playing without five projected starters from spring practice.

How could so many players get hurt before the season even started?

Safety Travis Roland had shoulder surgery in the offseason. Defensive back James Monds and Michael Williams, and linebackers Ronnie McCullough and Rodney Hughes were hurt during preseason practice.

Are any of the injuries serious?

Besides Roland, who will redshirt this season, the most devastating blow was Hughes' recent hand surgery. The middle linebacker was expected to be a leader of the defense this season. But he will miss 6-8 weeks.

Did any young players step up?

Antwane and Antonio Cox, identical twins who transferred from USF, both played well at cornerback. Coach Alvin Wyatt was pleased with speedy freshman running back Brian Sumlar, who gained 22 yards on eight carries in the second half. Sumlar needs to work on holding onto the ball however. He fumbled on two returns, losing one of them and allowing the Dolphins to down a kickoff at the B-CU 1 on the other.

Could the Wildcats have been looking past this non-scholarship team with South Carolina State coming to town next week?

S.C. State is picked to win the MEAC this season and is always the September game circled in red, sort of like Tennessee is to Florida. But if JU did not have B-CU's attention early, it did once the Wildcats fell behind 7-0.

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