— Morgan State Bears (@MorganStBears) November 4, 2018
As winds circulated around Hughes Stadium throughout the contest, and gusts reaching upwards of near 30 miles per hour, Bethune-Cookman looked to the ground game to get things going against the elements. Quarterbacks David Israel and Jabari Dunham shared time behind center for the Wildcats, but it was a season-high 314 yards on the ground that led the Maroon and Gold to its sixth win on the spin against the homestanding Bears.
After a 38-yard punt from Javaunie Francis pinned Morgan State (2-7, 1-4 MEAC) at its own 1 yard line, Bethune-Cookman redshirt senior defensive end Kevin Thompson surged through the line to record the Wildcats second safety of the season, stopping MSU running back Joshua Chase in the end zone to give his team a 2-0 lead midway through the opening stanza.
Bethune-Cookman (5-5, 3-2 MEAC) would record its first offensive score of the afternoon when senior running back Jimmie Robinson broke through the defense for a 61-yard rush to the end zone with 4:08 remaining on the clock in the first quarter. Added the extra point from Uriel Hernandez, and BCU led 9-0.
For the Maroon and Gold, it was the team's sixth one-play scoring drive of the campaign.
However, Robinson would make it seven on the Wildcats first possession of the second quarter.
The Palm Coast, Florida native and Mercer transfer escaped the Bears defense again for a 60-yard run to increase the Wildcats advantage at 16-0 with 13:18 showing on the clock.
Morgan State would engineer its best drive of the half to chip into the score just before the half.
A pair of passes from J.R. Golatt ended with a 28-yard strike to top target Manasseh Bailey in the end zone, allowing MSU to pull within 16-8, following the two-point conversion pass from Golatt to Bailey once again.
In the third quarter, BCU stretched the lead at 23-8 when, once again, Jimmie Robinson broke loose for his third (3rd) 60-plus yard scoring play of the afternoon – this one going for 65 yards following an incomplete pass from Jabari Dunham seeking running back Isaac Washington.
The Bears would answer on the next drive, using six plays to drive 73 yards in 2:04 off the clock, cultivating with Golatt's two-yard rush and the score. The big play to setup the eventual Golatt touchdown run was a 52-yard burst from William King down to the Wildcats' two yard line.
That score from Golatt brought the Bears to within 23-15 heading into the fourth quarter.
Morgan State would inch closer on its first drive of the fourth quarter, seeing Golatt connect with receiver Xavier Gravette for 15 yards and the score. The two-point conversion attempt from Alex Raya was denied, and the Wildcats clung to a 23-21 advantage.
BCU used its longest scoring drive of the day on the next possession, giving the Wildcats some breathing room with 8:33 left in the fourth quarter.
A 10-play, 75-yard drive that spanned just over five minutes ended with a 16-yard scoring run from Tupac Isme, giving the visitors from Daytona Beach a 30-21 edge following the kick from Hernandez.
Morgan State answered on the ensuing possession when Golatt registered his third passing touchdown of the afternoon, this one connecting with Daylen Baldwin for 21 yards. The kick from Raya pulled the Bears to within 30-28 with just under six minutes remaining.
The Wildcats defense would be called into action once again late in the game in order to seal the win for Head Coach Terry Sims (his fourth against the Bears as a collegiate head coach).
Golatt went deep down the field looking for his favorite target in the form of Bailey, but it would be safety Trevor Merritt stepping in front of the pass to post his team-leading third interception of the year with an acrobatic catch at the BCU 38 yard line and just seconds remaining.
Two quarterback kneels from BCU's Dunham saw the Cats escape with the win, and keeping BCU very-much in the title hunt following Florida A&M's upset loss at Howard earlier in the day.
Robinson led all ball carriers with 208 yards on 11 carries, adding his game-high three touchdowns. Dunham added 57 yards from his quarterback position.
Dunham would finish 4-for-8 passing ion the game for 26 yards, while starter David Israel was just 0-for-4 passing.
Passes for the Cats were hauled in by Francois (13 yards), Isme (5 yards), Keavon Mitchell (4 yards) and Washington (4 yards), respectfully.
The BCU defense was headed up by Devin James with six tackles and a sack, followed by Elliott Miller, Vernon Walker II and Marques Ford with five tackles each. Ford added a sack and a quarterback pressure as well.
Bethune-Cookman returns home to Daytona Stadium for its next contest against North Carolina Central on Thursday, Nov. 8. The game will serve as "Senior Appreciation Night" and kick off at 7 p.m., with the contest televised on ESPNU.
BOX SCORE
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BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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