BC-U Wildcats' offense never a factor in MEAC loss

Ron White, Special To The Orlando Sentinel

DAYTONA BEACH - In a word, abysmal.

That described the traffic, weather and -- most significantly -- the offense that greeted Bethune-Cookman University's homecoming crowd Saturday at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.

The Wildcats dropped a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game 33-9 to Morgan State on a rain-soaked field.

B-CU's offense gained 146 yards, including 47 yards in 31 rushing attempts, and committed five turnovers. Meanwhile, the Wildcats' defense, which scored all of the team's points, caved to the pressure in the second half, when it allowed 24 of 27 unanswered points.

"Right now, we're trying to find ourselves. We're going to keep searching and grinding until we get it done," B-CC Coach Alvin Wyatt Jr. said.

The Wildcats (2-3, 0-3 MEAC) got on the board first when James Monds recovered a blocked punt and rambled 24 yards for a touchdown.

Morgan State (2-3, 1-2) answered in the second quarter with Byron Selby's 6-yard touchdown strike to Roderick Wolfe. On the extra-point attempt, Brendan Odom busted through to block the kick, and Ben Ballard recovered and ran the length of the field to give B-CU a 9-6 lead. Morgan State added a 35-yard field goal by James Meade to forge a 9-9 halftime tie.

In the third quarter, the Bears capped a 12-play drive with Selby's 3-yard touchdown run. Morgan State scored again when Selby hit Robert Surratt from 18 yards out to make it 23-9.