Tampa Jefferson QB Quentin Williams has big arm, wins games, yet has just 4 offers

Quentin Williams, an upcoming senior, was the 3A Florida state high school player of the year in 2009, recording 35 touchdown passes and 3,495 passing yards, completed 64 percent of his passes and had just 10 interceptions in 304 pass attempts in an 11-2 season. Williams says he WANTS TO ATTEND an HBCU. "I'm 6-foot even. It is what it is," said Williams, who is not at all interested in playing anything other than QB at the next level."

He has scholarship offers for Towson State, Central Florida, Florida International and Purdue.

At the Orlando EA Sports Elite 11 QB Camp earlier this spring, Tampa Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams was zipping balls all over the field, drilling them into the hands of would-be receivers, most of whom dropped the ball out of sheer shock at the velocity. He was drawing oohs and aahs and players and coaches were asking, "Who's that?" Indeed.

Fast forward to the April Steve Clarkson Dreammakers QB Challenge at the Citrus Bowl, and yet again he opened some eyes. During one drill, a receiver complained that the QBs weren't throwing the ball hard enough. Somebody hollered over at Williams, "Hey Q, did you hear that? They said you guys aren't throwing hard enough." Williams just grinned.

On his next rep, he effortlessly fired a 20-yard out at a receiver's chest. It was almost as if the receiver's hands were there for protection, not for catching. The ball sent the receiver back a few steps and more people were asking, "Who was that?" THAT is the 3A Florida state high school player of the year from last year. THAT is a player everyone should know by now, but it seems no one does. Williams put up gaudy stats and led the Dragons to the state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Pensacola in 2009.



Tampa Jefferson High School 6-0/185 star quarterback Quentin Williams states, "I'm open right now and I would actually like to experience a black college," Williams said, but when asked if he was thinking MEAC or a similar level of university, he said, "Right now I really don't care what it is. I just want to go to school and get a good education."

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FHSAA: Tampa Jefferson wins first state title, beating Miami Norland 44-34 in the Class 3A football final

Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams (oral commitment to Bethune-Cookman) runs for two touchdowns and throws for three more.

Quentin Williams was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football Friday afternoon. Then he went out and showed the announced crowd of 2,908 at the Citrus Bowl for the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association football final exactly why he deserved the award.

Williams ran for two touchdowns and threw for three more as Tampa Jefferson (15-0) defeated Miami Norland (13-2) 44-34 to win its first state championship in a game stopped with 3 seconds remaining after a fight broke out. Williams finished with 73 yards rushing and connected on 11-of-16 passes for 151 yards.

"It's a great feeling, a great blessing," Williams said about being Florida's top football player. "But, it's even better to know that we are state champions."

JEFFERSON'S WILLIAMS WINS STATE'S TOP FOOTBALL AWARD

Quentin Williams has made a verbal commitment to Bethune-Cookman University, his mother's alma mater, but said he's planning January recruiting trips to Ohio University and Florida International University.

Jefferson High senior quarterback Quentin Williams was named Florida's Mr. Football on Friday, becoming the third Hillsborough County player in history to win the state's highest honor.

Williams, the Class 3A player of the year, had 137 points in a vote of high-school football coaches and media representatives, outdueling Demetrius Hart of Class 6A Orlando Dr. Phillips (128 points). Plant running back/defensive player James Wilder, the top Class 5A player, was third with 119 points.

Other Hillsborough County players to become Mr. Football were Robinson running back Zain Gilmore (1997) and Plant quarterback Robert Marve (2006).

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All-MEAC QB Quentin Williams Caps Amazing Week in Style -- Signs CFL Contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers

COURTESY Jasmine Alston

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Redshirt senior quarterback Quentin Williams, Bethune-Cookman University, capped off a successful week on Friday, January 22, signing a professional contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

Last weekend, Quentin Williams competed in the inaugural Tropic Bowl in North Miami Beach, Florida. The Tampa native was named most valuable player for The National Team after producing stellar numbers in the game.

The best FBS College football players from around the country met at the Inaugural “Tropic Bowl” college all-star game played in North Miami Beach, Florida at North Miami Stadium, on January 17th, 2016. The new FBS all-star game created an exciting scouting opportunity for top level talent from the NCAA’s Division 1 FBS levels top seniors who are looking to go pro. The Tropic Bowl was scouted by 26 NFL teams and 4 CFL teams who will flew in for the event.

The award allowed the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) First Team member to sign a professional contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, January 22. He represents the first player to ink a professional contract from the 2015-16 senior class at Bethune-Cookman. Williams enjoyed, statistically, his most successful seasons in 2015. He finished the regular season as the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) leader in passing efficiency (187.2), third in passing yards per completion (16.45), tied for 23rd in passing touchdowns (19), tied for 39th in points responsible for (134),  40th in passing yards (2,171), tied for 40th in points responsible per game (12.2) and 46th in passing yards per game (196.9). In addition, Williams was just the second quarterback since Bernard Hawk to pass for over 2,000 yards in a season, matching Matt Johnson (2010).

For more information on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, please visit BlueBombers.com.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jefferson H.S. QB Quentin Williams commits to Bethune-Cookman

The recruitment of Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams took an unexpected turn this weekend when the Dragons senior orally committed to Division I-AA Bethune-Cookman University. Williams, who is in the middle of what could be the most prolific passing season by a Hillsborough County quarterback, struggled to get on the Division I-A recruiting radar, but appeared to be drawing more interest recently.

Jefferson coach Mike Fenton described Williams' commitment as a soft verbal, but said Williams committed while attending Bethune-Cookman's homecoming win over Delaware State. "I think he still wants to take other visits and see if something else big comes up, but I guess he went up there and was talking with some of the other recruits and decided to commit," Fenton said.

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Bethune-Cookman dominates MEAC-foe Norfolk State, 48-3

DAYTONA BEACH – Quentin Williams started to compliment the Norfolk State defense following his team's 48-3 win over the Spartans Saturday at Municipal Stadium. But the Bethune-Cookman starting quarterback thought better of it as he leaned forward and spoke into his microphone – perhaps sending a message to the rest of the conference.

“They are long,” the Bethune-Cookman quarterback said. “They are athletic and they look good … but just like anybody they have got to come see us.”

On the field Saturday, the Spartans (2-6, 0-5), who entered with the FCS' third-ranked defense, were no match for Williams and his Wildcats (5-2, 4-0), who racked up 435 yards of offense in the win.

Bethune-Cookman set the tone on the game's opening drive – a methodical 16-play, 75-yard affair that took 6:40 off the clock. Williams, who was 9-of-11 passing for 157 yards, capped the series with a pass to Eddie Poole who went up over defensive back Natturner Harris to bring down the catch in the corner of the end zone.

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Bethune-Cookman vs. Norfolk State: 3 things we learned

1. MEAC coaches picked B-CU as the conference's third-best team in the preseason. Saturday, against the conference's defending champion, the Wildcats appeared to be the conference's best. A big game with North Carolina Central, undefeated in MEAC play, is on tap for Saturday at Municipal Stadium.

2. Quentin Williams continues to get better. Williams is athletic, elusive and has good zip on his passes. He is starting to manage games better as well – throwing just two incompletions against the Spartans.

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Bethune-Cookman defense, Williams topple N.C. A&T, 28-12

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Bethune-Cookman let quarterback Quentin Williams air it out on the first series of Saturday's 28-12 MEAC win over North Carolina A&T at Municipal Stadium and it was not pretty.

Operating out of a five-receiver set, Williams missed on three straight passes and the Wildcats punted.

 

“That was on me, I was a little too hyped up,” Williams said.

 

Williams said a conversation with receiver Preston Cleckley with the Wildcats trailing 7-0 helped him settle down and get going in leading Bethune-Cookman (4-2, 3-0) past North Carolina A&T (2-3, 0-2).
 

“He just said ‘Q' be you,” Williams said.

 

The first series might not have been pretty, but for the majority of the game “Q” being “Q” was a thing of beauty. The redshirt freshman accounted for 239 yards – 111 rushing and 128 passing. He scored twice on runs and passed for another touchdown.

 

“Quentin is a very good athlete,” Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins. “He can operate our offense at a high level as well as Brodrick (Waters) as well as Jackie (Wilson).

 

 

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Prairie View hires Mark Orlando as offensive coordinator

PVAMU O.C. Coach Mark Orlando

Bethune-Cookman offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mark Orlando has been hired to fill the same position at Prairie View A&M.

Orlando, a former offensive coordinator at Texas Southern, spent one season at Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats had one of the Football Championship Subdivision's best offenses under his watch, finishing second in scoring (38.17 points per game), 12th in total yards (425.6 per game) and 13th in rushing (212.8 yards per game) en route to a 10-2 finish and share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.

Orlando, who played quarterback at ...

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NOTE: This is a major hire for first year Panthers head coach Heishma Northern and more importantly gives Prairie View a tremendous advantage over Bethune-Cookman for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Florida on September 4, 2011.

Sources say Coach Orlando will be paid $90,000 per year plus bonuses, a major increase over his B-CU salary.

Orlando also holds a "Rattler Card" earning his Master's Degree from Florida A&M University in 1984. He served as a a member of the Florida A&M coaching staff  under head coach Rudy Hubbard, that won the first Division I-AA National Championship in 1981, and served as the Rattlers' offensive coordinator for six seasons, then moved on to Tennessee State University as offensive coordinator for four seasons.

He collaborated with Pete Richardson at Winston-Salem State University in 1991 before moving to Southern University with Coach Richardson where he remained until Richardson was let go in 2009.

This puts Bethune-Cookman in a very precarious position.

Coach Orlando is the architect of the Wildcats "Speedway Offense" and quarterbacks coach of the offense that ranked 12th nationally in the FCS in 2010. His leaving for PV may impact the Wildcats signing of Mr. Florida Football 2011 -- quarterback Quentin Williams, Jefferson High School (Tampa) on February 2, 2011, the first day that high school players can sign binding "National Letters of Intent."

Williams has verbally committed to B-CU, but continues to take visits to other schools.

Losing Coach Orlando is devastating; losing quarterback Quentin Williams will be catastrophic for the Wildcats program that ranked 40th in average home game attendance (7,093 per seven home games) last season. Let's see if second year head coach Brian Jenkins respond like a true champion with a monster hire and the signing of blue chipper Williams.

If you are keeping score, PVAMU 10, B-CU 0 and we are more than seven months away from kickoff.

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Bethune-Cookman beats FIU for 2nd straight year, 14-12

MIAMI, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman once again opened its football season with a defensive struggle, outlasting Florida International 14-12 before a crowd of 14,053 at Ocean Bank Field Saturday night.

In a game similar to last year’s 12-9 win at Tennessee, the Wildcat defense contained the Panthers and did just enough offensively as B-CU downed their FBS opposition for the second straight season and fourth time.

FIU had a chance to win the game on the final play, but had an errant snap on a 55-yard Austin Taylor field goal attempt, and the Wildcats sacked holder Chris Ayers for a 16-yarder

The Wildcats held FIU to a pair of Austin Taylor 25-yard field goals in the second quarter until Richard Leonard’s 71-yard punt return to the Bethune-Cookman 7 set up Alex McGough’s fourth-down 5-yarder touchdown to T.J. Lowder with 5:16 remaining that cut B-CU’s lead to 14-12.

B-CU maintained the lead when Erik Williams, who had three sacks, hurried McGough into an overthrow on the two-point conversion attempt.

Still, the Panthers had the final possession and a chance to win after advancing to the B-CU 27 in the final minute.

Meanwhile, the Wildcat made their most of their big plays.

A 46-yard Quentin Williams to Michael D. Jones catch-and-run followed by Williams’ 17-yarder to Darian Baker put the ball at the Panther one. Jones, a sophomore running back from Sarasota, bullied in two plays later to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 11:26 remaining in the first half.

After nursing a 7-6 lead for the third quarter, B-CU upped its lead to 14-6 with 12:26 remaining when Frank Brown beat one-on-one coverage deep, shook a tackle, and finished a 55-yard touchdown pass from Williams.

Williams finished 8 of 17 for 149 yards with the one touchdown passing while rushing for 39. Anthony Jordan, who posted a career-high 150 yards against FIU here a year prior, gained 64 yards on 19 carries.

The Wildcats got to the FIU 28 on their opening drive, but came up empty when Williams was sacked on fourth down.

B-CU’s defense held FIU to 186 yards and just one third conversion in 16 attempts. Williams and Tavarus each had eight tackles, and LeBranden Richardson posted three tackles for loss.

The Wildcats are off next week, returning to action against Grambling State in their home opener September 13 at Daytona Beach’s Municipal Stadium

COURTESY BETHUNE COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

B-CU Terry Sims named MEAC football coach of year

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Bethune-Cookman Football first-year head coach Terry Sims was honored as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, announced Monday afternoon by the league office in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, five B-CU student-athletes were named to the all-conference first team, while another five were selected to the second and third team, respectfully.

Terry Sims, having taken over the reins of the Wildcats program on December 22, 2014, guided the Wildcats to a share of the MEAC title in 2015, including a 9-2 overall finish and 7-1 mark in league play. For the Maroon and Gold, the title represented the school’s fourth consecutive (eighth overall), matching South Carolina State (1980-83) for the second-longest streak in MEAC history.

The Wildcats were victorious over in-state rival Florida A&M, 35-14 in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic to secure their stake in the conference title. B-CU led the MEAC in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (31.4 avg/g), total offense (445.0 avg/g), rushing offense (191.8 yds./g), pass offense (253.2 avg/g), and pass efficiency (164.1 efficiency). The Cats also hold top 10 positions in the FCS in passing yards per completion (6th) and team passing efficiency (3rd). B-CU entered the STATS FCS Top 25 poll in the final ranking of the season (25th) and have slowly climbed the FCS Coaches Poll to reach No. 21 following the last game of the regular season.

Also representing Bethune-Cookman on the All-MEAC First team was quarterback Quentin Williams (Tampa, Fla.), wide receiver Jawill Davis (Miami, Fla.), offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek (Kissimmee, Fla.), linebacker Robert Way (Belle Glade, Fla.) and defensive back Marquis Drayton (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.).

Williams, a redshirt senior, enjoyed statistically his best season at Bethune-Cookman in 2015. He finished the regular season as the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) leader in passing efficiency (187.2), third in passing yards per completion (16.45), tied for 23rd in passing touchdowns (19), tied for 39th in points responsible for (134), 40th in passing yards (2,171), tied for 40th in points responsible per game (12.2) and 46th in passing yards per game (196.9).

Davis is earning his first postseason accolade, finishing the year leading Bethune-Cookman in receptions (39) and receiving yards (788). He ended the campaign with a team-high matching six touchdown receptions, and finished ninth in the league for receptions per game (3.5). He was second in receiving yards per game (71.6), and ended 46th in the FCS for total receiving yards.

Bladek, a redshirt junior offensive tackle, was a preseason all-conference selection, and earns his first postseason award. Bladek helped pave the way for the Wildcats to lead the MEAC in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (31.4 avg/g), total offense (445.0 avg/g), rushing offense (191.8 yds./g), pass offense (253.2 avg/g), and pass efficiency (164.1 effic.). He also blocked for quarterback Quentin Williams to earn three MEAC Offensive Player of the Week awards throughout the campaign.

On defense, redshirt senior linebacker Robert Way led the Wildcats with 70 tackles, adding a team-high 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also broke up a team-best eight passes from his outside linebacker position, going on to recover two fumbles and force another.

Joining him on the first team for defense was redshirt senior strong safety Marquis Drayton. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native amassed 37 tackles on the season, including 21 primary stops. He stepped in front of three passes for interceptions, taking one back 30 yards for a touchdown against Morgan State in the year’s final home game. His three interceptions allowed him to end the year tied for third in the league in that category. He would also finish the year second in the MEAC for kick return yards, averaging 23.4 yards per return.

Representing the Cats on the All-MEAC Second Team was running back Anthony Jordan (Atlanta, Ga.), tight end Ja-Quan Lumas (Orlando, Fla.) and linebacker Donald Smith (Tampa, Fla.). On the third team was running back Michael D. Jones (Sarasota, Fla.) and junior punter Jonathan Cagle (Pensacola, Fla.).

North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State took the Defensive Player of the Year award. Both student-athletes received the top honors just one year ago. North Carolina Central’s Dorrel McClain earned Rookie of the Year honors and North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Year, as voted on by the MEAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors.

For a complete list of this year’s All-MEAC Team members, please visit MEACsports.com.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Armwood's Kevin J. Williams will help protect Florida's Mr. Football, Quentin Williams at BCU

Kevin Jamal Williams just missed on a 4A State Championship at Armwood, but he will be joining a team with a realistic chance at a FCS Championship in 2011. Williams informed bigcountypreps.com (BCP) he has verbally committed to a scholarship offer from Bethune-Cookman University.

Williams, at 6'2" and 305 pounds, will slide inside and play either center or guard for the Wildcats. At Armwood his main priority playing left tackle was to keep QB Josh Grady's blindside protected and to open up holes quickly for backs Kyle Wilcox and Matt Jones. After transferring from Jefferson before his junior year, Williams played defense before starting at tackle for the Hawks this season. He regularly imposed his will on defenders with numerous pancake blocks and rarely was Grady ever harassed from his left side.

Bethune-Cookman has made inroads recruiting here in Hillsborough County since Brian Jenkins has taken over as head coach in Daytona...

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Is Quentin Williams looking at a redshirt at B-CU?

Daytona Beach, FL - When former Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams signed with Bethune-Cookman last February, one of his many reasons he was going to the Division I-AA school was because he wanted to play early.

The reigning Florida Mr. Football's path to the playing field might have hit a roadblock. A already-present logjam at quarterback just got even more crowded.

Former Maryland starter Jamarr Robinson has reportedly transferred to Bethune-Cookman. Robinson redshirted his first season with the Terps and graduated in four years, meaning he has one more year of eligibility and can play right away because he's transferring to a I-AA school. Robinson started Maryland's first three games last year, but was benched for redshirt freshman Danny O'Brien, who won the starting job.

Williams, who guided Jefferson to a 15-0 record...


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Dan Ryan discusses the second B-CU scrimmage

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida – So amazingly spry was Terry Sims' after Saturday's grueling 120-play scrimmage in the August humidity that he could be both diplomatic and profound when asked about a football technical question.
 
Before that, Offensive Coordinator Allen Suber contended the primary reason his career pass completion percentage rate is 14 points lower than Quentin Williams was that the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) defensive talent was in its heyday, even as he was torching it.
 
"Oh, I'm sure he DID say that," Sims said with a smile.
 
No, no, no, Sims wasn't implying that Suber's full of it. Well, he kind of was, but it was in a GOOD, respectful way and only in a way that those in the football brotherhood can appreciate and understand.



And, of course, no way are we belittling the amazing accomplishments of Suber on the field, or suggesting he's a better offensive coordinator than he was an on the field quarterback. In fact, when the Hall of Fame committee does it's concaving this week, his tenure will most definitely be on the agenda.
 
Then again, this gave us alleged football experts an excuse to blather rather than file scrimmage reports as we spend our August month churning stuff like this to complete midweek studio time and weekend opines to stir you up for the fast approaching season. And that gives us an opportunity to remind you to purchase your season tickets if you haven't done so yet…here's the link (PDF).
 
Still, here are the numbers we discovered updating the Wildcats Football records in preparing for the September 1 kickoff at Tennessee State.
 
We start with Bernard Hawk and the late J.D. Hall, both of whom who were Black College Football versions of Dan Marino back in the day. Both over 7,000 career yards and a combined 100 touchdown passes.
 
Hawk's career completion percentage: 49.4 overall.
 
Hall's: 48.5 overall.
 
Then you had Suber, who ran the "Wyatt Bone" on his way to 79 touchdowns, and responsible for and almost 8,000 total yards.
 
Suber's career completion percentage: 49.5 overall.
 
Now, let's jump to today and our two most recent signal callers.
 
Quentin Williams: SIXTY-THREE PERCENT (63.8 actually).
 
Larry Brihm, Jr.: FIFTY-NINE POINT EIGHT. He was 22nd in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) last year. And with the exception of a few low-level arena/indoor football guys, he represents the highest level of quarterback we've produced with him on the active roster of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.
 
So…are we a more efficient passing team these days?
 
"All I can speak on is all the offense we've had here, since I've been here," said Sims the diplomat. "Yes, the style of football has changed. We're trying to put ourselves in a position to get our skill guys to make plays."
 
Okay, Subes. What was that about the defense again?
 
"Things were more physical back then," Suber said. "The NFL guys from the MEAC back then were the defensive guys. [Justin] Durant and Kendall Langford from Hampton – second round draft pick. Nick Collins and Rashean Mathis from here – second rounders. Curtis Deloatch from North Carolina A&T. Tracy White from Howard and that other safety [Antoine Bethea] who played for the Colts.
 
To say the least, it was a talented defensive league.
 
How would Suber had fared today? Get ready. This is where the fun starts.
 
"Oh, I would be loving it," Suber smiles. "That's how I see it every day. I'd have Erik Lash on backside X – it'd be 1A and 1B with Shawn Ford and Taji Parrish at the W. Mookie…Antonio Stanley, he'd be at the other slot. Then, I still have guys like Eric Reed, Pat Brown was a downfield threat. Andre Thomas ran a 4.1."
 
The additional fun about this is that as you're listening to Suber, you can imagine Hawk talking about Leon Gonzalez, Sebastian Brown and Arthur Simmons the exact same way. Same for Hall about Jeff Parker, Carl Gibbons and Troy Grant.
 
And is this system that good to where we're once again putting out NFL receivers like Jawill Davis and finally quarterbacks like Brihm?
 
"A little bit of both," Sims said, again diplomatically. "It's all about putting the best possible product on the field."
 
So are the Wildcats a more efficient passing team these days? Is Suber a better signal caller than field general? Should we start considering Williams and Brihm in the same elite category as Hawk, Hall and Suber?
 
"I'll leave that up to you," said Suber as he made his way off the field after a long day.
 
"That's for folks like you," said Sims, who exited the field, even he felt like he just woke up.
 
And we'll leave it up to you, and remind you about season tickets as another week of #CatsCamp concludes.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

Bethune -Cookman Rolls by Savannah State, 42-12

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Bethune-Cookman continued its control of the Savannah State series Saturday with a 42-12 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over the Tigers before a Municipal Stadium crowd of 5,975, on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Redshirt senior quarterback Quentin Williams threw for 207 yards and one touchdown and also rushed for 100 yards as the Wildcats (3-1 1-0 MEAC) downed the Tigers (0-3, 0-1 MEAC) for the 16th consecutive time, dating back to 1992.



Michael D. Jones rushed for two scores and Jamie Wilson caught two for a Bethune-Cookman offense, which racked up 592 yards of total offense and kept the Tiger offense out of the end zone. The lone SSU touchdown was on a fourth quarter interception in the Bethune-Cookman end zone.

“I don't think we have one main guy – we have guys,” said B-CU Head Coach Terry Sims. “Any of them can make a play at any time. And we're comfortable with any of them depending on our package.”

Bethune-Cookman did have 23 penalties for 212 yards – not a record, but that only came into play early.

After two third-down penalties, Savannah State took an early 3-0 advantage on the scoreboard courtesy John Barron’s 38-yard field goal with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter. However, the Wildcats quickly answered with a 6-play, 92-yard drive that produced Williams’ 13-yard scoring strike to Wilson.

Williams had a 36-yard completion to Wilson and a 37-yard connection with Ja-Quan Lumas, as the quick strike offense returned with its ninth touchdown drive of the season that spanned less than three minutes. Dubbed “Lightning Strikes” by the Bethune-Cookman staff, the Cats have had just a single scoring drive all year last longer than three minutes in length.

B-CU would strike quickly the rest of the game – in all, five times, as it pulled away for the team’s third consecutive victory, following a season opening setback at FBS opponent Miami (Fla).

The score also marked B-CU’s first points of the season in an opening quarter.

Platooning with Williams, redshirt sophomore quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. led the Wildcats to a pair of second quarter scores that gave the Maroon and Gold a 21-3 halftime lead.

Anthony Jordan registered his 30th career rushing touchdown, moving the graduate past Jimmie Russell into fifth on the all-time list, on an 11-yard run with 5:08 remaining in the first half. Brihm would connect with Jawill Davis on a 57-yard catch and run 1:20 before halftime.

The Wildcats defense, which got a fumble recovery from Jamal Thomas and an interception from Jocelyn Borgella, Jr., stopped a pair of Tigers marches into the red zone during the second period, but each possession ended with a missed field goal attempt by John Barron.

Michael D. Jones’ runs of two yards in the third and a 50-yard fourth quarter burst up the middle, along with Williams capping off an 83-yard drive with an 8-yarder to Wilson, highlighted the second half.

Jones and Jordan rushed for 77 and 54 yards, respectively. Davis (77 yards) and Wilson (57) each caught three passes.

Jason Smith, Jr. had seven tackles and a quarterback sack for a Wildcats defense that has not given up a touchdown in two games.

Bethune-Cookman faces North Carolina Central next Saturday at 4 p.m., in an ESPNU nationally broadcasted game. The game is set for 4 p.m., at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUGridIron. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.

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COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Hold Off Lane Dragons, 7-3

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman held off upset-minded Lane College on Saturday evening, using a hard-fought 7-3 win over the visiting Dragons in front of 6,781 fans inside Municipal Stadium. The game was the home debut for first-year head coach Terry Sims and the 2015 Wildcats.

One week after a 56-53 win at Grambling State, which was one of the highest scoring road games in program history, Bethune-Cookman (2-1) needed two (2) fourth quarter defensive stands to preserve the victory in one of the lowest scoring home tilts the Wildcats have played.

GAME LINKS
Game Stats	Pregame Notes
Postgame Notes	Press Conference
Postgame Quotes	Photo Gallery

The combined 10 points made this the lowest scoring collegiate game at Municipal Stadium since it opened in 1988. The previous low was a 10-3 Bethune-Cookman victory over Howard on September 16, 198It was also the first time the Wildcats failed to reach double figures at home since a 24-3 loss to South Carolina State on September 12, 2009.

“We’ll take the win,” Sims said. “But we’ll continue to work to play more disciplined, detailed football.”

After giving up a combined 98 points in the first two games, the young Wildcats defense registered a positive. This was the first time since a 14-3 win against South Carolina State on Homecoming 2013 (October 26) that a Wildcats opponent did not reach the end zone.

“We can feel good about that,” Sims said. “We knew the defense was going to have those ‘bend but don’t break moments’ with nine new guys, and it will take us a bit to get everything together.”

After stopping a Wildcats scoring drive with an interception, Lane (1-2) closed to 7-3 on Carlos Moore’s 28-yard field goal with 6:38 remaining in the contest. The Dragons had a first-and-goal on the B-CU 7, but Donald Smith threw Gerald Gaines for a seven-yard loss that set the tone for the next three plays.

However, the Dragons immediately got the ball back after a muffed kickoff by the Wildcats, but Moore missed a 48-yard attempt three plays later. Lane had one last possession with two minutes remaining, but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

Anthony Jordan's 9-yard second quarter scamper was the lone Bethune-Cookman score. The graduate – playing as a senior on the field – rushed for 74 yards, while redshirt senior quarterback Quentin Williams went 14-of-19 for 168 yards through the air, as the Wildcats put up 395 total yards of offense. Still, the Cats failed to capitalize on three of four red zone opportunities.

In the third quarter, B-CU got down to the Dragons 2-yard line on the strength of runs of 12- and 25-yards, respectively, and a 28-yard Williams to Jontavious Carter completion. But after a holding penalty negated a huge B-CU run deep inside the Dragons red zone, a fumble eventually ended the threat.

B-CU would later march from its own nine to the Lane one. But after a seven-yard loss, Williams was picked off by Ira George-Coat for a touchback.

Jordan’s score was set up by a 33-yard Michael D. Jones run and a 28-yard Williams to Frank Brown connection on a six-play, 81-yard drive that made 7-0 with 9:23 remaining in the first half.

Jones and Williams each finished with 70 and 63 yards rushing, respectively. Brown’s six catches for 55 yards paced six Wildcats receivers that tallied at least a single catch. The defense was guided by Robert Way and Smith with nine tackles each, and it was linebacker Atreyu Farrior supplying 1.5 sacks.

The Cats will look to continue their current two-game winning streak next weekend when they open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play against Savannah State at Municipal Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUGridIron. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.



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Coastal Carolina Downs Bethune-Cookman 48-24

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CONWAY, South Carolina  --  Alex Ross threw a career-high four touchdowns - two to Matt Hazel - and Walter Payton Award candidate Lorenzo Taliaferro added one on the ground to lead #11 Coastal Carolina to a 48-24 victory over #12 Bethune-Cookman in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Saturday afternoon at Brooks Stadium.

The Chanticleers set a program record with 11 wins, improving to 11-2, while the Wildcats drop to 10-3. Coastal Carolina will now travel west to face #8 seed and fourth-ranked Montana for the second round, Dec. 7 in Missoula.

Defensively for CCU, Buck Buchanan Award candidate Quinn Backus led the Chanticleers with 15 tackles, including three for losses, while fellow linebacker Mike McClure had eight stops, three for losses, and a 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Sophomore Richie Sampson added nine tackles, including three for losses and two sacks, and forced the fumble McClure returned for a score.

Coastal got on the board first. Taliaferro converted two third downs and accounted for 37 of the 62 yards on five carries. Ross capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Blanks. Alex Catron added the point after for a 7-0 lead with 9:55 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing Bethune-Cookman drive, Richie Sampson knocked the ball out of the hand of Wildcat quarterback Quentin Williams. Chanticleer linebacker Mike McClure grabbed the ball in midair and returned it 39 yards for his first career touchdown.

The Wildcats bounced back to get inside the CCU 25. The big play was Williams turning a busted play into a 23-yard gain. A penalty backed the Wildcats up on third down and they went for it on fourth-and-four. Williams once again made a play with his feet, escaping a near sack and getting to the CCU 12. However, the Chanticleer defense stiffened and Jonathan Cagle came on to make a 23-yard field goal cutting the B-CU deficit to 14-3 with 3:05 left in the opening frame.

The Chants responded by taking to the air, covering 82 yards in just seven plays. Ross hit DeMario Bennett for 12 yards, Niccolo Mastromatteo for 22 and capped the drive with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Hazel as CCU led 21-3 at the end of the first quarter.

To open the second quarter, Williams had a run of 10 yards then completed passes of 12 and 40 yards to Eddie Poole, the second getting the Wildcats down to the four. Two plays later, Williams found paydirt from four yards out to make the score 21-10.

After the teams traded punts, Coastal struck quick with a 50-yard Ross to Tyrell Blanks completion to the B-CU seven yard line. On third down, Taliaferro scored from eight yards out to give Coastal a 27-10 cushion.

Bethune-Cookman attempted to get on the board late in the second quarter, kicking a 33-yard field goal. Coastal blocked the kick, but was offside on the play. The Wildcats then spread the field with their field goal personnel on the field. The pass was complete, but Sampson tackled Jordan Murphy on the CCU three to force a turnover on downs.

The Chants pushed their advantage to 34-10 with 4:39 left in the third quarter with a pair of 23-yard completions. First, Ross hit Mastromatteo then John Israel to cap a four-play, 53-yard drive. On CCU's next drive, Ross hit Israel for 25 yards and the next play Hazel made a highlight-reel, one-hand catch for a 21-yard touchdown and 41-10 lead.

Bethune-Cookman scored and the two-point try with 8:29 left to make the score 41-18. The drive covered 14-plays and 84 yards and ended with Bethune-Cookman facing fourth-and four as Brodrick Waters hit Poole for a 16-yard touchdown pass.

The Wildcats forced a three-and-out and only need two plays to make the score 41-24. Waters found Cary White down the right sideline for a 32-yard gain then he scrambled and scored from 27-yards out.

With just over five minutes to play, Bethune-Cookman  tried an on-side side, which Taliaferro recovered on the B-CU 46. On the Chants' first play from scrimmage, Travis Small had a 29-yard run to the 17, marking his second-longest run of his career. On the next play, he finished the drive with a 17-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the season.

Coastal, hosting its second playoff game, wins its first home playoff game - falling 17-10 to Western Illinois in 2010 at home.  Coastal, who is making its fourth NCAA playoff appearance (2006, 2010, 2012 and 2013), wins its second playoff game, defeating Bethune-Cookman, 24-14, last season in Daytona Beach, Fla. Also, Coastal improves t o 7-0 at home this season, tying the CCU record as the 2004 Chanticleers (the second year of CCU football) also went 7-0 in Brooks Stadium.



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Williams throws for 2 TDs in Bethune-Cookman’s 27-7 win over Delaware State

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Quentin Williams passed for 198 yards and two touchdowns and Michael D. Jones rushed for 132 yards as Bethune-Cookman won its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener, 27-7 over Delaware State on Saturday at Municipal Stadium.

Williams completed 20 of 26 passes but also turned the ball over three times, including an interception that DSU’s Terrick Colston returned 11 yards for the Hornets’ only score of the game with 5 seconds left in the first quarter. It was Williams’ first pick of the season, ending a string of 82 passes this year and 124 passes since last season without throwing an interception.

Jhomo Gordon (26 yards) and Jones (15 yards) each caught TD passes to give the 17th-ranked Wildcats (4-1, 1-0) a 21-0 first-quarter lead.

Running back Anthony Jordan added a score for B-CU on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

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Williams steps up in Bethune-Cookman spring football game

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- Quentin Williams has been Bethune-Cookman’s primary starter at quarterback over the past two seasons. But in terms of experience, he has always been third on the depth chart.

Not anymore.

 

Seniors Jackie Wilson and Brock Waters have departed, and Williams, who will be a redshirt junior this fall, played like a veteran in the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday at Municipal Stadium.

 

“You kind of take on more of that leadership role being an upperclassman,” Williams said. “You just have to be more consistent. All eyes are on you. That’s what (assistant coach and former B-CU quarterback Allen Suber) tells me all the time.”

 

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B-CU's Jenkins steers Wildcats to Florida Classic win, loftier expectations

ORLANDO, Florida  -- It's not often that a head football coach benches his starting quarterback during a game and winds up helping him hoist the game MVP trophy.

Brian Jenkins is that kind of coach.

There he sat Saturday at the Florida Citrus Bowl grinning during the post-game press conference with his quarterback Quentin Williams.

Williams was the quarterback who led his team to a 21-3 halftime lead over rival Florida A&M in the Florida Classic Saturday at the Citrus Bowl.

The same quarterback he would bench midway through the third quarter after Williams fumbled, leading to a 45-yard touchdown by FAMU's Jonathan Pillow.

And the same quarterback he put back in the game to finish off the Wildcats 29-10 victory, B-CU's third straight over its state rival.

"I got used to it my freshman year when I first came in here," Williams said of ...

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Williams sparks B-CU to 21-7 win over Delaware State

DOVER, Delaware  -- After a sluggish first half, Bethune-Cookman needed a spark. So, Quentin Williams provided it.

 

The quarterback came off the bench to start the second half and led 21st-ranked B-CU to a 21-7 victory over Delaware State in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Saturday in Dover, Del.

 

“This definitely was a big win today,’’ said safety Nick Addison, whose interception with 4:33 left iced the win for the Wildcats (4-1, 1-0), their 14th in a row against MEAC competition. “We needed this to help us get momentum.’’

 

Williams ran for a 31-yard touchdown and connected with Eddie Poole on a 15-yard TD pass. Williams completed all four of his passes for 86 yards.

 

Poole had four catches for 103 yards, including a 50-yard reception that set up his touchdown grab with 4:40 remaining.

 

“It was good for us to find a way to get it done in the second half,’’ B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said.

The Wildcats went into halftime tied 7-7 and looking for a way to stop the Hornets’ passing attack.

 

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B-CU Wildcats slip past SCSU Bulldogs

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Quentin Williams said his confidence never wavered as he led his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on the deciding drive of Thursday night’s 17-14 win over MEAC rival South Carolina State.

And, cornerback Elliott Miller said, the Wildcats believed in Williams too.

“We always believe in (Williams) and our offense,” he said.

That confidence was rewarded with a 51-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard jaunt by Williams in which he fought off a defender on his way to the end zone, to give the Wildcats the lead for good with 5:14 left to play.

The quarterback's run answered a highlight-reel, 83-yard punt return for touchdown by Antonio Hamilton that gave S.C. State the lead with 10:40 left.

And, most importantly, it kept Bethune-Cookman’s MEAC title hopes alive.

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