McCullough takes lead for B-CU 'D'

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- Ronnie McCullough's teammates might be enjoying an extended break of 16 days between football games, but Bethune-Cookman's leading tackler would just as soon have suited up during the bye week.

McCullough has had more than enough time off during the past year. Now he's ready to play. But that's not news to anyone who has seen him in action the past two games.

The senior linebacker covered more ground than the sprinkler systems in collecting a total of 34 tackles against Morgan State and Delaware State.

"I think I was just rusty the first couple of games," McCullough said. "I'm getting back into game shape. I'm just starting to feel like me again."

That's got to be a good sign for the Wildcats (2-4, 0-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), who will try to snap a three-game losing streak next Saturday in a home game against Winston-Salem State.

McCullough, who transferred from South Florida before his junior season, was B-CU's leading tackler for most of last year, despite missing two games and most of a third with a hyper-extended knee. He played in the final six games at less than 100 percent and sat out spring drills as a precaution.

Then just prior to preseason camp, he pulled a hamstring, forcing him to miss all of preseason practice and the season opener against Jacksonville.

"I worked out and ran in the spring, but I didn't do too much contact. Missing spring and missing summer, I pretty much only had three days of practice before South Carolina State."

McCullough still led the Wildcats with 11 tackles against the Bulldogs. But he seemed to take his game to another level three weeks later when he tallied 20 tackles -- the fifth highest game total in school history -- in a loss to Morgan State on Sept. 29. McCullough was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for that performance.

Five days later, in a nationally-televised Thursday night game against Delaware State, McCullough collected a game-high 14 tackles, including 2.5 for losses.

Despite missing one game, McCullough leads the Wildcats with 63 tackles, 18 more than second-leading tackler Bobbie Williams. The linebacker also has a team-high eight tackles for losses.

"He's the catalyst of our defense," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said of the 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker. "He's a super athlete. He's our leader over there."

McCullough said it is no coincidence that he and the rest of the front seven have stepped up since middle linebacker Rodney Hughes returned from surgery on a fractured bone in his hand.

"Getting Rodney back has helped," McCullough said. "It's always good to have another aggressive linebacker out there with you.

"I feel like the defense is on the same page now. Everyone is flying around making plays. When you eliminate the thinking part of the game, and you're just reacting and playing to what you see, that allows everybody to pick their game up."