Photo: SCSU RB Will FordBy SEAN KERNAN, Daytona News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman beat South Carolina State through the air last year, its quarterback tying a school record with five touchdown passes in a 45-21 rout in Charleston, S.C.
So how have the Wildcats (1-0) approached this season, and what type of preparations have the Bulldogs (0-1) made for today's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams at Municipal Stadium?
The Wildcats and their veteran coach Alvin Wyatt have made it known B-CU intends to go back to the roots of the Wyatt- bone -- an option-based offense -- this season.
The Bulldogs prepped for the Wildcats in part by scheduling major Division I opponent Air Force last week. Longtime Falcons head coach Fisher DeBerry is gone following his retirement after last season, but new coach Troy Calhoun, realizing the majority of his players were recruited to run the option, has kept the triple-option as the base of the playbook even though he has added more versatility.
Asked if playing Air Force would help South Carolina State's preparation for facing the only MEAC team that employs the triple option, Pough said: "Let's hope so. There are some similarities."
Pough and the Bulldogs won't have to contend with Jarod Rucker, the quarterback who matched B-CU's record for TD passes in one game. Rucker bypassed his last year of eligibility to get started in law school at Florida International. The only way Pough will see Rucker again in a Wildcat uniform is if he watches the game tape, and judging from his comments this week, that wasn't something he was looking forward to doing.
"I don't quite know what happened last year," Pough said. "We were up 14-0. Heck, I don't know. I've been afraid to watch the tape. Coach (Wyatt) did a nice job of adjusting. They got behind and it was almost like they got mad. They came out and beat the starch out of us. "
B-CU changed things up offensively and went to an air attack after getting down 14-0. The result was 45 unanswered points for B-CU in a game Pough agreed was his worst conference loss in five seasons at South Carolina State.
After a successful 31-17 debut against non-scholarship Division I-AA Jacksonville in which quarterback Jimmie Russell and fullback Justin Brannon each eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, the Wyattbone is off to a running start this year.
Is a steady diet of Wyattbone on the menu today?
"It's not a set thing," Wyatt said. "It's whatever the defense wants to give us."
One thing he knows for certain is the 4 p.m. game is going to be a challenge for the Wildcats.
"It's a rivalry-type atmosphere when we play those guys," Wyatt said. "They're a very good-looking football team. I'm sure that's why they were picked to be in first place (in the preseason poll of MEAC coaches and sports information directors). (South Carolina State) and Hampton are just loaded up with talent. They have more talent than anyone else in the conference."
Today's Game
WHO: S.C. State (0-1) at Bethune-Cookman (1-0)
WHERE: Municipal Stadium
KICKOFF: 4 p.m
RADIO: WELE 1380-AM
SERIES: South Carolina State leads 26-18-1
ETC.: This is the MEAC opener for both teams.
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