BCU Wildcats eager to get back on track

Photo: BCU QB Jimmy Russell

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News-Journal

In a way, today's football game at Savannah State is bigger for Bethune-Cookman than last week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference battle with South Carolina State.

With seven more conference games on tap, the Wildcats can get back into the league race. But a loss to the Tigers could provide a psychological setback that would be difficult to bounce back from.

In last week's 24-13 home loss to the Bulldogs, B-CU (1-1) came away with just two field goals from three drives that penetrated S.C. State's 10-yard line. The Wildcats also fumbled away two option pitches that led to Bulldog touchdowns.

"Turnovers really hurt us," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said. "(And) I've never seen our team get down there so many times and not come away with at least one touchdown. We just stalled there. But if we linger on that game -- take South Carolina State to this game -- then we'll see the same result."

A B-CU loss to Savannah State would be an upset on the level of Michigan's loss to Appalachian State two weeks ago. Since moving up to Division I-AA in 2002, the Tigers are 1-40 against I-AA teams. The Wildcats have won seven straight against the Tigers by a combined score of 275-76.

This year, Savannah State opened with a 47-7 loss to MEAC member Morgan State before defeating Division II Johnson C. Smith 24-10 last week.

"There is no one on our schedule who can't beat us," Wyatt said. "I know (the Tigers are) fired up to play us."

Like last year, the S.C. State-B-CU game took a toll on both teams. Several Wildcats are questionable for today's game, including quarterback Jimmie Russell (knee) and offensive tackles De'Juan Guillory (thigh) and Reubin Mordecai (ankle).

If Russell can't play, junior transfer McKinson Souverain would take his place. As for the O-line, Wyatt said three defensive linemen (Wayne Byers, Mike London and Fred Brown) got prepped on offense this week in case they will be needed. Byers is likely to play both ways.

This was the second straight year that Russell, who wore a knee brace this week, was "beaten up" in the Bulldogs game, Wyatt said.

"That first play, (in which Bulldogs nose guard James Simmons was called for roughing the passer) kind of shook Jimmie up, and I don't think he was right after that lick, because Jimmie never really makes bad pitches like he did in that game."

But Russell said that was not the play in which he hurt his knee.

"I actually hurt it twice," he said. "The first time I was ripped down by my facemask and I fell on my knee. I said, 'Man, that's a sharp pain.' The next time I was hit, I started grabbing my knee, I thought I was done."

OF NOTE: Wyatt said highly touted freshman running back Brian Sumlar, who did not get in on any offensive plays last week, will "definitely" see action today. "He's going to be very productive in the scheme we have set aside for him," Wyatt said. "Being a freshman it has taken him a while to pick up our scheme. We've got something for him that will fit his talent."

B-CU at Savannah State

WHERE: Municipal Stadium, Savannah, Ga.

KICKOFF: 1 p.m.

RADIO: 1380-AM (WELE)

RECORDS: Bethne-Cookman 1-1, Savannah State 1-1

SERIES: B-CU leads 27-8-2. B-CU won 55-6 last year.

PLAYMAKERS: B-CU -- QB Jimmie Russell, Sr., has rushed for 171 yards (5.2 ypc) and 3 TDs and passed for 160; RB Justin Brannon, Sr., has rushed for 126 yards (6.0 ypc); FS Bobbie Williams, Sr., is second on the team in tackles (15) and has one interception. Savannah State -- QB Jacorey Kilcrease has passed for 158 yards with one TD and one interception; RB Antwan Edwards has rushed for 116 yards with one TD; SS Antwan Allen has 15 tackles, including three for losses, and an interception.

STORY LINE: Both teams like to run the ball. Savannah State rushed for 328 yards in its victory over Johnson C. Smith last week. B-CU will try to iron out its problems in the option offense. But if Russell can't play because of a knee injury, look for the Wildcats to pass more with McKinson Souverain (7-for-9, 85 yards) at QB. The game was moved to Municipal Stadium and pushed back to 1 p.m. because of upgrades to the Tigers' stadium press box.

DID YOU KNOW: The last time the Tigers beat a Division I-AA team was in 2004 when they outlasted Norfolk State, B-CU's opponent next week, 41-34 in double overtime.