By NOELL BARNIDGE, Special to The News-Journal
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Bethune-Cookman turned early Savannah State mistakes into scores, and quarterback Jimmie Russell's injured left knee appeared fine Saturday.
Russell, who was questionable for the game, started and ran 12 times for a team-high 65 yards and three touchdowns in B-CU's 45-13 victory.
A Memorial Stadium crowd of 5,063 watched quietly as B-CU (2-1) staked a 24-0 halftime lead against Savannah State (1-2).
B-CU's offense operated from the shotgun formation the majority of the game instead of from the "Wyattbone," coach Alvin Wyatt's mixture of the wishbone and hambone.
Wyatt said he did not employ the shotgun as a way to protect Russell, who was injured during the Wildcats' loss to South Carolina State. Wyatt said he simply wanted to confuse the Savannah State defense he believed spent the majority of its practices preparing for the "Wyattbone."
"We did not come out with our regular offensive set," Wyatt said, smiling. "We came out with a spread offense. We figured we'd give (Savannah State) more to prepare for."
Russell was 10-for-15 passing for 112 yards.
Savannah State quarterback JaCorey Kilcrease fumbled during the Tigers' first possession, and B-CU right tackle Chris Dirksz recovered at Savannah State's 44-yard line. The Wildcats scored seven plays later when Russell ran in a quarterback draw from 12 yards out. Lucas Esquivel kicked the first of his six extra points to give B-CU a 7-0 lead.
"We came out and attacked, offensively, and we were able to set the tone," Wyatt said. "That got us in a frame of mind where we didn't have to worry about what happened last week."
On the Wildcats' next possession, Esquivel's 38-yard field goal capped an eight-play drive that began at the 50 and gave the Wildcats a 10-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, Russell's two-yard touchdown run on a sneak gave the Wildcats a 17-0 lead.
"This game was our steppingstone to get us ready for our MEAC game next week at Norfolk State," Russell said. "Coach (Wyatt) had a great game plan. He told us to forget everything about South Carolina State, and everything will work itself out."
During Savannah State's ensuing possession, the Tigers covered 44 yards in 13 plays, consuming 5:16. But Luis Justiniano's 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked by B-CU's James Monds and recovered by the Wildcats' Nick Mayant.
"Those little things will kill you," Lemon said. "That blocked field-goal attempt, things like that are just crushers."
B-CU's Antonio Cox jarred the ball loose and returned it to the Tigers' 20 with 2:35 left before halftime. Three plays later, Russell ran for a 10-yard touchdown up the middle to give B-CU the 24-0 halftime lead.
"The offensive line did a great job keeping me back there in the Shotgun," Russell said. "I felt at home back there. The play-calling was good."
Why did Savannah State and B-CU play at Memorial Stadium?
Because T.A. Wright Stadium is being renovated.Savannah State is playing its first three home games at Memorial Stadium, but the Tigers will play two games on campus later this season even though renovations will not be completed.
What did B-CU think of this season's Tigers team?
B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said this is not the same Savannah State team that finished 2-9 last season, Theo Lemon's first as the Tigers' coach. Wyatt said his Wildcats' 45-13 victory Saturday did not come as easily as BC-U's 55-6 win last season.
"Savannah State is a good football team," Wyatt said. "(Savannah State coach) Theo Lemon is doing a good job with them. They were much, much, much more physical than they were last year. They were very aggressive."
B-CU quarterback Jimmie Russell said Savannah State has better athletes than it did last season.
"They're a better team. They get better every year we play them," Russell said. "Me and my center (Deron Barnes) were talking about how we don't like playing Savannah State because they keep getting better."
What is B-CU's record against Savannah State?
B-CU owns a 30-8 series lead. Savannah State has not beaten B-CU since 1992, when the late Bill Davis coached the Tigers to a 31-21 victory.
-- Noell Barnidge
Council finally strikes
When Bethune-Cookman's Corey Council intercepted Savannah State backup quarterback Greg McCrary and returned the ball for an 85-yard touchdown with 39 seconds to play, many Savannah State supporters were not surprised. They were well aware of Council, who was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a South Carolina State kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown.
"I was wondering when he would strike," said Savannah State athletics director Robert "Tony" O'Neal, who was hired away from B-CU. "He told me before the game that he was going to bring one back to the house. I can't believe he did it on an interception."
More action for Souverain?
Depending on the status of Russell, who played despite a left-knee injury, B-CU backup quarterback McKinson Souverain might get more playing time, Wildcats coach Alvin Wyatt said.
If so, his performance against Savannah State will help in terms of experience. Souverain was 1-for-2 passing for 39 yards -- a touchdown strike to Paul Neufville in the third quarter.
Brothers Make Noise
B-CU twin brothers Antonio and Antwane Cox produced big plays.
With 2:35 remaining before halftime, Savannah State started its possession with a completion, but Antonio Cox jarred the ball loose, recovered it at Savannah State's 30-yard line and returned it to the Tigers' 20.
Antwane Cox later blocked an extra point attempt, forcing the Tigers to settle for a 31-13 score early in the fourth quarter.
B-CU brings marching band
Bethune-Cookman brought its marching band -- all 357 members -- and took up an entire section, from top to bottom, in the Memorial Stadium stands. B-CU's marching band is among the nation's largest, according to sports information director Bryan Harvey.
Harvey said B-CU's marching band is scheduled to perform today at halftime of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' NFL game.
Tigers' bad luck
It was bad enough for Savannah State fans their team lost to B-CU, but they couldn't even listen to the game on local radio.
SSU's game was not broadcast by WHCJ 90.3 FM in Savannah because the campus radio station was struck by lightning earlier in the week, sports information director Opio Mashariki said.
Mashariki was hired away from B-CU by O'Neal.
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