Photo: QB Jimmie Russell play will decide the outcome.By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- At first glance, Thursday night's game at Delaware State does not seem like a good time for Bethune-Cookman to be showcased on national television.
The Wildcats (2-3) are coming off their worst loss of the season, a 33-9 whipping by Morgan State, in which they produced just 146 yards of offense and turned the ball over five times. And after a short week of preparation they must travel to the hottest team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hornets (4-1) are coming off a 24-17 win over three-time defending conference champ Hampton.
But play-by-play announcer Charlie Neal, who will broadcast the game with Jay Walker on ESPNU, has covered enough B-CU games to know that one should never count out coach Alvin Wyatt's teams.
"Bethune-Cookman has a lot of pride," Neal said. "I don't think Alvin's going to allow those kids to go into the game with a defeatist attitude."
Walker, a former NFL and WLAF quarterback who led Howard to an undefeated season in 1993, said B-CU's triple-option offense, although turnover prone so far this season, could provide problems for the Hornets.
"(Delaware) State added (former Howard coach) Rayford Petty as defensive coordinator this year, and he is one of the best defensive minds in the country," Walker said. "But I don't think stopping the Wyattbone is his specialty."
Last year, the Wildcats were coming off two MEAC losses and a lackluster 10-6 win over Winston-Salem State before playing host to N.C. A&T in a game on ESPNU. The 'Cats took their frustrations out on A&T, pummeling the Aggies 70-7.
This year, a much larger national television audience will have the opportunity to watch B-CU. With the addition of three national cable companies, ESPNU is now available in nearly 20 million homes.
More fans in B-CU's local market will be able to watch the game. Since last season, Bright House Networks in Central Florida has added ESPNU to its digital lineup.
Neal has been broadcasting Historically Black College Football for 28 years, beginning with BET telecasts in 1980. He said he actually had a hand in helping Howard recruit his broadcast partner.
"I met Jay on his recruiting trip," Neal said. "My cousin, Steve Wilson, was the Howard coach then, and I was there that day, so I kind of helped them recruit Jay."
Walker, now a representative in Maryland's State House, remembers that day well.
"When you talk about Black College football, all you knew was Charlie Neal," Walker said. "He was the voice of the game, and he still is."
DAYTONA BEACH -- At first glance, Thursday night's game at Delaware State does not seem like a good time for Bethune-Cookman to be showcased on national television.
The Wildcats (2-3) are coming off their worst loss of the season, a 33-9 whipping by Morgan State, in which they produced just 146 yards of offense and turned the ball over five times. And after a short week of preparation they must travel to the hottest team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hornets (4-1) are coming off a 24-17 win over three-time defending conference champ Hampton.
But play-by-play announcer Charlie Neal, who will broadcast the game with Jay Walker on ESPNU, has covered enough B-CU games to know that one should never count out coach Alvin Wyatt's teams.
"Bethune-Cookman has a lot of pride," Neal said. "I don't think Alvin's going to allow those kids to go into the game with a defeatist attitude."
Walker, a former NFL and WLAF quarterback who led Howard to an undefeated season in 1993, said B-CU's triple-option offense, although turnover prone so far this season, could provide problems for the Hornets.
"(Delaware) State added (former Howard coach) Rayford Petty as defensive coordinator this year, and he is one of the best defensive minds in the country," Walker said. "But I don't think stopping the Wyattbone is his specialty."
Last year, the Wildcats were coming off two MEAC losses and a lackluster 10-6 win over Winston-Salem State before playing host to N.C. A&T in a game on ESPNU. The 'Cats took their frustrations out on A&T, pummeling the Aggies 70-7.
This year, a much larger national television audience will have the opportunity to watch B-CU. With the addition of three national cable companies, ESPNU is now available in nearly 20 million homes.
More fans in B-CU's local market will be able to watch the game. Since last season, Bright House Networks in Central Florida has added ESPNU to its digital lineup.
Neal has been broadcasting Historically Black College Football for 28 years, beginning with BET telecasts in 1980. He said he actually had a hand in helping Howard recruit his broadcast partner.
"I met Jay on his recruiting trip," Neal said. "My cousin, Steve Wilson, was the Howard coach then, and I was there that day, so I kind of helped them recruit Jay."
Walker, now a representative in Maryland's State House, remembers that day well.
"When you talk about Black College football, all you knew was Charlie Neal," Walker said. "He was the voice of the game, and he still is."
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