By Sean Kernan , Daytona Beach News-Journal
Wyattbone is alive and well
It's back!
Like a movie sequel, the Wyattbone offense has returned to Bethune-Cookman's playbook. And for at least one day, all of the Wildcats had a reason to smile. The old-look 'Cats gained nearly 300 yards on the ground while defeating Jacksonville University 31-17 on Saturday at Municipal Stadium.
The first game under "The Return of the Wyattbone" resulted in two 100-yard rushing efforts. Senior quarterback Jimmie Russell ran for 114 yards and three TDs on scores from 13, 33 and 8 yards. Senior B-back Justin Brannon gave the Wildcats a 103-yard effort in his first start at the position more commonly referred to as fullback.
Russell appreciated the extra help. He and Brannon each had 16 carries and both appeared relatively fresh after the game, unlike many contests last year when Russell looked as if he needed to make a stop at the emergency room before returning to his dorm at B-CU.
Getting production out of the B-back position is a priority for the coaching staff, which includes newcomer C. Ray Gregory. While Gregory is a newcomer to B-CU, he is hardly a newbie when it comes to the option offense or coaching in general. The guy's been around, including a stop at Georgia Southern, where he mastered the triple-option techniques and one of his players was current B-CU offensive coordinator Brad Bernard.
Gregory has made his mark already with players like Russell and Brannon. The new Wildcat was upstairs calling the plays to Bernard, who relayed them to Russell.
"Coach Gregory knows this offense inside and out," Russell said. "Coach Wyatt has assembled the best offensive coaching staff since I've been here. I'm just doing what's expected of me. It's expected of me to go out and orchestrate this thing we call the Wyattbone."
PROPS FOR QB
Russell is in his last season at B-CU and nothing has come easy. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder from Jonesboro, Ga., has had to battle injuries and other QBs for playing time in each of the past three years. He split starting duties his freshman season, started nine games his sophomore campaign and started just three games last season.
But Wyatt has seen glimpses of two other former Wildcats quarterbacks this year. Russell has drawn deserved praise comparing him to Patel Troutman and Allen Suber.
"He has gotten more speed, and he has picked up some more weight," Wyatt said. "In practice, he has been more Suber- and Patel-like. Not over either of those guys, but he's getting there, and the more he can run it without any injuries the better he's going to get. And it will be great for him if we can continue to block and make those holes like he got today to make the easy reads. The most important thing is we've been crying for years to get ourselves a B-back who can get over a thousand yards."
That B-back could very well be Brannon, who turned in the first 100-yard performance from that position in nearly two years.
"I'm hoping that my performance today was what we need to get this offense back to where we need it to be," Brannon said. "Coach Gregory has played a big role in establishing the B-backs and getting this offense to where it's supposed to be."
Strong production out of the B-back position will do another very important thing: help keep Russell healthy.
That might be the most important factor of all for the success of "The Return of the Wyattbone."
Wyattbone is alive and well
It's back!
Like a movie sequel, the Wyattbone offense has returned to Bethune-Cookman's playbook. And for at least one day, all of the Wildcats had a reason to smile. The old-look 'Cats gained nearly 300 yards on the ground while defeating Jacksonville University 31-17 on Saturday at Municipal Stadium.
The first game under "The Return of the Wyattbone" resulted in two 100-yard rushing efforts. Senior quarterback Jimmie Russell ran for 114 yards and three TDs on scores from 13, 33 and 8 yards. Senior B-back Justin Brannon gave the Wildcats a 103-yard effort in his first start at the position more commonly referred to as fullback.
Russell appreciated the extra help. He and Brannon each had 16 carries and both appeared relatively fresh after the game, unlike many contests last year when Russell looked as if he needed to make a stop at the emergency room before returning to his dorm at B-CU.
Getting production out of the B-back position is a priority for the coaching staff, which includes newcomer C. Ray Gregory. While Gregory is a newcomer to B-CU, he is hardly a newbie when it comes to the option offense or coaching in general. The guy's been around, including a stop at Georgia Southern, where he mastered the triple-option techniques and one of his players was current B-CU offensive coordinator Brad Bernard.
Gregory has made his mark already with players like Russell and Brannon. The new Wildcat was upstairs calling the plays to Bernard, who relayed them to Russell.
"Coach Gregory knows this offense inside and out," Russell said. "Coach Wyatt has assembled the best offensive coaching staff since I've been here. I'm just doing what's expected of me. It's expected of me to go out and orchestrate this thing we call the Wyattbone."
PROPS FOR QB
Russell is in his last season at B-CU and nothing has come easy. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder from Jonesboro, Ga., has had to battle injuries and other QBs for playing time in each of the past three years. He split starting duties his freshman season, started nine games his sophomore campaign and started just three games last season.
But Wyatt has seen glimpses of two other former Wildcats quarterbacks this year. Russell has drawn deserved praise comparing him to Patel Troutman and Allen Suber.
"He has gotten more speed, and he has picked up some more weight," Wyatt said. "In practice, he has been more Suber- and Patel-like. Not over either of those guys, but he's getting there, and the more he can run it without any injuries the better he's going to get. And it will be great for him if we can continue to block and make those holes like he got today to make the easy reads. The most important thing is we've been crying for years to get ourselves a B-back who can get over a thousand yards."
That B-back could very well be Brannon, who turned in the first 100-yard performance from that position in nearly two years.
"I'm hoping that my performance today was what we need to get this offense back to where we need it to be," Brannon said. "Coach Gregory has played a big role in establishing the B-backs and getting this offense to where it's supposed to be."
Strong production out of the B-back position will do another very important thing: help keep Russell healthy.
That might be the most important factor of all for the success of "The Return of the Wyattbone."
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