Florida Classic: BCU coach changing football records and culture

No current college football coach in Florida has accomplished more in a rookie season than Bethune Cookman's Brian Jenkins. And that's saying a lot in an area that boasts respected football minds like Urban Meyer, George O'Leary and Skip Holtz.

Jenkins, 39, has the No. 7 Wildcats off to a historic 10-0 start, clinching at least a share of the school's first conference title in eight years. And, after Bethune Cookman's embarrassing loss to Florida A&M in last year's Florida Classic, he's looking to turn Saturday's rematch at The Citrus Bowl into a signature accomplishment.

More impressive than the team's record is how it's winning. In one season, B-CU has gone from "shine" to chic, chic, from disheveled to disciplined. And, interestingly enough, it's done it with...


Videographer: doublea198505 (BCU Florida Classic Battle of Bands - 11/19/2010)

Playoffs, milestone at stake for Wildcats

Picked in the preseason to finish eighth in its conference, Bethune-Cookman is one win away from an 11-0 record and a berth in the FCS playoffs.

ORLANDO -- Digging for reasons on how Bethune-Cookman has gone undefeated in its first year under coach Brian Jenkins can be as futile as trying to nail JELL-O to the wall.

No running back has rushed for as many as 500 yards. No receiver has as much as 500 yards in receptions. The Wildcats defense, although undeniably strong, hasn't posted shutout after shutout. And the kicking game has been a weakness all season long.

Still, a victory Saturday over archrival Florida A&M in the annual Florida Classic will allow Bethune-Cookman to finish off a regular season 11-0 for the first time in school history and clinch a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

B-CU, FAMU fans united, divided by loyalty

DAYTONA BEACH -- Kevin James Jr.'s decision to go to Bethune-Cookman University was "a no-brainer." The need to wear maroon and gold was ingrained in the sophomore's brain since he was a child by his father, a Wildcats graduate.

Kevin James Sr., 49, had to balance the playing field since his wife and daughter are graduates of Florida A&M University (FAMU).

Counting the rest of the extended family, both father and son are outnumbered yearly and will be today at the Florida Classic football game at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando at 2:30 p.m. where both universities face off. The Jameses have more than 50 family and friends who attend the game and gather beforehand for a tailgate party -- the majority for FAMU.



Videographer: doublea198505 (FAMU Florida Classic Battle Of The Bands 2010, 11/19/2010)

Wildcats coach: no superstars going against Florida A&M

As if his football team hasn't turned enough heads with its 10 straight wins, Brian Jenkins had one more surprise about Bethune-Cookman University during his weekly conference call.

There are no super stars on the Wildcats' team, Jenkins said, and he makes sure that none of his players ever start believing they're above the rest. He makes no secret of the fact that the remarkable season that the Wildcats are enjoying is because they think and act like a family.

"Everybody has their role (and) everybody is required to do their role at a high level," said Jenkins, who in his first season is a leading candidate for coach of the year in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. "The same demands are placed on a guy that's taking 50 reps and a guy that's taking 10 reps. There is no difference in requirements."

Florida Classic: Famu vs. Bethune-Cookman, 2:30, at orlando, ESPN Classic

The equation is the simplest in sports: win and you're in.

That's what's facing Bethune-Cookman today when it faces Florida A&M at the Florida Citrus Bowl. A win over the rival Rattlers and B-CU moves on to the Division I-AA playoffs; lose and it's forced to rely on fate to get into the postseason. The Wildcats already clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last week when they defeated Howard 35-20. Bethune-Cookman (10-0, 7-0 MEAC) is I-AA's only unbeaten team that could receive the automatic bid for the playoffs if it beats FAMU (7-3, 6-1) or if South Carolina State (8-2, 6-1) loses to North Carolina A&T (1-9, 1-6).

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Videographer: kissinqueen2 (FAMU Florida Classic Battle Of The Bands in HD, 11/19/2010)

B-CU Change of offense, change of outlook

Familiar playbook transforms Johnson into 10-0 QB

Matt Johnson said he simply smiled when he heard the words. It had to be more than that, though – certainly enough to catch the attention of his new offensive coordinator. Out with the triple option. In with the spread offense. Just like that, Johnson perked up.

"Oh yeah," coordinator Brian Orlando said, recalling last spring's introductory meeting with the offense. "He was very excited about that."

Before long, Orlando and Wildcats head coach Brian Jenkins could see why the Fort Lauderdale High product was so jazzed. And with the Wildcats now on the brink of the first unbeaten regular season in school history, all of B-CU is catching on.

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FAMU Rattlers have no doubts about competitiveness

While coaches around the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference think Saturday's Florida Classic is too close to call, there isn't a man associated with the Florida A&M football team that believes it can't end Bethune-Cookman's unbeaten streak.

Coach Joe Taylor especially took exception to his team is being label as potential spoilers. "We are in to win and I don't see it (as) being a spoiler," Taylor said during his weekly press conference. "The bottom line is whoever wins, wins the championship. I'm sure because of their record (10-0) we would probably be considered underdogs but that's for the media."

Freshmen confident going into Classic

Freshman tight end Michael Ethridge always gets a little hyper on the eve of a football game just because of the anxiety to get on the field. But this Friday night he might have be even more difficult for him to sleep.

The following day, Ethridge's Florida A&M team will face off with Bethune-Cookman University in the Florida Classic. It isn't just another game and with all that will be at stake Ethridge knows sleep won't come easy on the day before his first appearance in the Classic.

B-CU football could help Florida Classic produce sellout crowd

There is a bigger reward on the line than “bragging rights” for the 31st annual Florida Classic Saturday. Bethune Cookman, ranked No. 7 among Division I-AA by the Sports Network, needs a win against Florida A&M to get an automatic bid to the Football Championship Series. Should the team lose, and South Carolina State lose Saturday, then Florida A&M would earn the automatic bid to the playoffs.

With so much on the line, a stellar season, an intense rivalry and, of course, solid halftime entertainment, the Florida Classic could be looking at its first sellout crowd since 2006.

So far, over 50,000 tickets have been sold and Florida Citrus Sports executives say the sales are on pace to have 59,418 sold by Saturday, not including the walk-ups. A sellout crowd for this year’s game is 65,438 fans.

Former 'Dawg hopes to end career with title

Former Marianna Bulldogs star running back Philip Sylvester will have a chance Saturday to make a special ending for a special career, when his FAMU Rattlers take on Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic in Orlando. Sylvester, who starred for the Bulldogs from 2004 to 2006, has carried over his success to the college level, and will have a chance to reach a pair of significant milestones Saturday.

The 5-foot, 10-inch, 185-pound running back is 178 yards away from the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career, and is 148 yards from passing the 3,000-yard mark for his Rattlers career.

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Florida Classic: FAMU, Bethune-Cookman band alumni recall music, pageantry

At many other football games, the halftime entertainment isn't enough to keep the fans in their seats. But not at the Classic, where they don't budge when the two bands face off in one of the most meticulously choreographed and musically powerful halftime shows anywhere.

The performance is so spectacular that alumni from both sides jokingly describe it as a show interrupted by a football game.

For Wilson and many band alumni, though, the Classic is much, much bigger than a game and a great halftime show. It's part of a rich, tumultuous history during which the two bands became a symbol of pride and accomplishment for millions of African-Americans.


Florida Classic's marching band rivalry decided at halftime

James "Chief" Wilson will put a little extra effort into planning his snack breaks and bathroom trips Saturday at the Citrus Bowl. That's because Wilson, like many of the 50,000 people expected at the Florida Classic, won't want to miss any of the halftime show between the rival Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman university bands.

It's a show that has evolved into an annual extravaganza since Wilson, 83, first performed with the FAMU marching band in the late 1940s.

At many other football games, the halftime entertainment isn't enough to keep the fans in their seats. But not at the Classic, where they don't budge when the two bands face off in one of the most meticulously choreographed and musically powerful halftime shows anywhere.

The performance is so spectacular that alumni...

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Undefeated Bethune-Cookman, behind QB Matt Johnson, ready to take on Florida A&M

The improvement that Bethune-Cookman quarterback Matt Johnson has made in just one season is remarkable. The Fort Lauderdale native completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 823 yards as a junior in 2009, throwing just one touchdown pass and seven interceptions.

This year, Johnson has completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,844 yards, 13 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also has 670 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He is without question the top quarterback in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, a player who can beat teams with his arm or his legs.

"When we came in, we felt like this young man had the qualities if we could hone the skills the right way," first-year Bethune coach Brian Jenkins said.

Ex-Colonial receiver Kevin Elliott out to spoil B-CU's run

Kevin Elliott and the rest of the Florida A&M Rattlers have been rooting for their arch rival recently. With every game the Rattlers have won in their current five-game winning streak, they have been hoping to see Bethune-Cookman University continue its own winning streak en route to this weekend's big showdown in the Florida Classic at the Citrus Bowl.

And so Elliott and the Rattlers have gotten their wish. The stage is set. Undefeated, 10-0 Bethune-Cookman will take on the equally hot Florida A&M Rattlers (7-3) in one of the most important games this series has seen. "We want to make history," said Elliott, a 2006 graduate of Orlando Colonial High.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

B-CU, FAMU clash brings needed business to the ailing Citrus Bowl

The game brings in an estimated $25 million to $30 million economic impact for the city every year.

There is a view from inside the luxurious Amway Center that stares across a row of broccoli-topped trees and ends at the dilapidated Citrus Bowl. It is a bittersweet sight of unfulfilled promises for a promising venue. Talks of the " Triple Crown for Downtown" have long since cooled off after Amway Center was completed.

The fledgling economy all but depleted funding for the performing arts center and Citrus Bowl renovations. And with each passing day, the Citrus Bowl is losing multi-million dollar opportunities for the city. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for the Florida Classic this weekend.

Q & A: Talking with the presidents of FAMU and B-CU before the 31st annual Florida Classic

On the heels of the 31st annual Florida Classic, the Orlando Sentinel caught up with Florida A&M President Dr. James H. Ammons and Bethune Cookman University President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed for their insights on the game and their schools.

Orlando Sentinel: Historically black colleges and universities don't usually get the benefit of major television exposure. What's the biggest way you promote your teams?

Ammons: Well, actually, FAMU as well as other members of the MEAC have had TV exposure through ESPN2, ESPN Classic and ESPNU. What we are working toward is for one of our games, maybe the Florida Classic, to be televised on ESPN, the major stations for ESPN or on ABC.

Reed: Well, I think that it's important to know that we're a part of the MEAC and our commissioner along with the other institutions renegotiated the contract with ESPN to have more of our games televised and there is this SWAC-MEAC blend that gets more of our games on ESPNU and Classic. So that has been a really healthy start and I think last classic was the first time we were televised by ESPN so there is a movement of change, although it is slow.

Videographer:FAMUTube1887

Videographer: Gentleman1911

Florida Classic events schedule

One of the state of Florida's most historic football games, The Florida Classic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman is this weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. This year's game has added significance, as Bethune Cookman enters 10-0 for the first time in school history, having already clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title at 7-0 in the league.

The Wildcats have a chance to finish the regular-season unbeaten for the first time. Bethune-Cookman would also earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs if they win. It would also earn that honor even if it loses if South Carolina State beats North Carolina A&T next week. One of the teams that is still in the hunt to tie B-C for the league title is Florida A&M, which enters 7-3 overall but 6-1 in the league.

The Rattlers have won five straight games...

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Pair of hot teams in Florida Classic

One of the state of Florida's most historic football games, The Florida Classic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman is this weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

This year's game has added significance, as Bethune Cookman enters 10-0 for the first time in school history, having already clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title at 7-0 in the league. The Wildcats have a chance to finish the regular-season unbeaten for the first time.

Bethune-Cookman would also earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs if they win. It would also earn that honor even if it loses if South Carolina State beats North Carolina A&T next week.

One of the teams that is still in the hunt to tie B-C for the league title is Florida A&M, which enters 7-3 overall but 6-1 in the league. The Rattlers have won five straight games, including a 17-12 win over Hampton University on Saturday in Tallahassee.

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Today's MEAC Football Reviews

Howard at Bethune-Cookman

1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, Fla. Records: Bison 1-8, 0-6 MEAC; Wildcats 9-0, 6-0. RADIO: WELE 1380 AM (Daytona)

Emerging stars: Even though Howard's defense has allowed more than 50 points in three of its past four games, the Bison have received outstanding performances from its younger defensive players. Freshman safety Cameron Alston, the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rookie of the week, had nine tackles, recovered a fumble and returned a blocked field goal 37 yards for a touchdown in a 54-14 loss to South Carolina State. Sophomore linebacker Kurt Mangum II had 13 tackles, including three for a loss, and a sack.

Delaware State at Norfolk State

Delaware State (2-7, 1-5) at Norfolk State (4-5, 3-4), 1 p.m., Dick Price Stadium, 102.1 FM; 91.1 FM (Norfolk); WWTX-1290, WDOV-1410 (Dover)

Ever since getting Norfolk State's season back on track, Sherron Childress admits he's been thinking about today. The tight end, one of the Spartans' most emotional players, is one of 20 NSU seniors likely playing their final home game today.

"I've been thinking about it all week," Childress said. "Since the start of the week, I've been thinking one more home game. I've played a lot of games here... one more time at Dick Price Stadium."

Childress has already been through a spectrum of results at home this season. He wept on the field after a close loss to Florida A&M three weeks ago. Last week, during a 35-27 win over Morgan State, he celebrated his first catch since September, and his first touchdown of the season.



Hampton at Florida A&M

Florida A&M vs. Hampton, 3 p.m: Hampton (5-4, 4-2 MEAC); FAMU (6-3, 5-1 MEAC); Internet Live TV: FAMCAST, Radio: 96.1 FM.

There is no hope of winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship for Hampton. That chance was dashed by three consecutive losses, including a heartbreaking five-point loss to undefeated Bethune-Cookman last weekend.

But today, the Pirates could do severe damage to the plans that Florida A&M (6-3, 5-1 MEAC) has to run the table and force a possible three-way tie for the conference title. Hampton (5-4, 4-2) did it last season and coach Donovan Rose is looking for a repeat performance.

What Rose has been telling his players amounts to forgetting that they've not won a game since escaping with a 7-6 victory over Norfolk State. Only a two-touchdown loss to Old Dominion was at a wider margin than the setback to the Wildcats.

North Carolina Central at Savannah State

SSU (0-9) faces North Carolina Central (3-6) at 2 p.m. at Memorial Stadium; Radio: WHCJ 90.3 FM (Savannah)

Sheldon Barnes hoped to earn some playing time this season, but the freshman never expected to become Savannah State's workhorse.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back from Hinesville's Bradwell Institute leads SSU with 440 yards and three touchdowns on 98 carries.

Senior running back Justin Babb has not played since suffering a leg injury Sept. 18 against Bethune-Cookman. Filling in for Babb has been Barnes.

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Videographer: SpeechlessQue

Wildcats blackout Aggies: Bethune-Cookman 67, N. Carolina A&T 17

B-CU game delayed by power outage

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- The game was billed this week as a "black-out."

Bethune-Cookman marketers had no idea how prophetic that label would be. As the Wildcats were setting up for a 2-point conversion with 3:37 left in the first quarter Thursday night, power went out at Municipal Stadium. Because of a blown transformer and lightning in the area, B-CU's nationally televised game with North Carolina A&T was delayed for one hour and 42 minutes with the Wildcats leading 19-0.

B-CU (8-0, 5-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) went on to defeat N.C. A&T 67-17 as the Wildcats racked up 621 yards of total offense.

NC A&T's primetime game goes awry

The bus left Greensboro early Tuesday morning for the long ride to Daytona Beach, Fla., where N.C. A&T would get its one shot at a nationally televised game this season. This wasn’t what the Aggies (1-8, 1-5 MEAC) had in mind.

Not a 50-point loss. And certainly not a game that started Thursday night and ended in the wee small hours of Friday morning. A&T’s primetime showcase game on ESPNU at undefeated Bethune-Cookman (8-0, 5-0) got off to a rough start. The host Wildcats scored on their first three possessions to take a 19-0 lead. Then the lights went out.



Power outage darkens B-CU spotlight

DAYTONA BEACH -- The spotlight on Bethune-Cookman University's football program went dark Thursday night when a distant piece of power equipment -- a lightning protector about a mile-and-a-half from Municipal Stadium -- sent the game into an hourlong blackout.

B-CU, playing in front of a national TV audience on ESPN's college-dedicated ESPNU channel, was leading 19-0 late in the first quarter when, at 8:16 p.m., the stadium went dark. Moments later, a thunderstorm moved over the stadium.

Mayhew Reaches 1000, Aggies Fall To Wildcats

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- Junior running back Mike Mayhew was the bright spot in what otherwise was a very dim night for the North Carolina A&T football team. His historic season continued on Thursday as he rushed for 211 yards on 31 carries. He is the first Aggie to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Brandon Sweeney rushed for 205 yards on Oct. 8, 2005 against Morgan State at FedEx Field.

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College football fan passion can go too far

The following article is one that every diehard college football fan needs to read and post as a screen saver on your computer.

The words of wisdom provided by Mr. Lynn W. Thompson, director of athletics at Bethune-Cookman University, for the following Times and Democrat piece is a wake up call for all serious football fans, especially South Carolina State University Bulldog fans and others.

To the wise, no amount of rationalizing can be an acceptable response for a shameful display of disrespect. (beepbeep)

THE ISSUE: College football fans

OUR OPINION: No place for ugliness toward players.

College football brings out all kinds of emotions in fans. The passion for the game can produce a lot of ugliness when things don't go a particular team's way, or a player's way. Coaches and administrators frequently urge fans to be courteous. That only has so much effect.

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Treatment of QB Long leaves S.C. State coach, players with sour taste

It was the thud heard round the MEAC.

Late in Saturday's game, trailing 14-0, S.C. State quarterback Malcolm Long let fly with a pass across the middle of the field that slammed square into the chest of Bethune-Cookman linebacker Ryan Lewis. Lewis promptly secured the ball and plopped down in the middle of the field.

And, that was the end of the Bulldogs' 21-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference winning streak. Then again, it wasn't so easy to decipher that the Bulldogs had experienced so much success from the sidelines at Oliver C. Dawson because of what was taking place in the stands.



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Bethune-Cookman KOs 2-time MEAC champ South Carolina State Bulldogs

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins said he compared Saturday's game against two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion South Carolina State to a heavyweight boxing match.

If so, it was Cassius Clay versus Sonny Liston in 1964. And just as Clay (before he was known as Muhammad Ali) claimed he "shook up" the world in '64, the Wildcats shook up the MEAC world Saturday by beating the seemingly unbeatable Bulldogs 14-0 on their home field.

"We tabbed this game a heavyweight fight, and we said we're going to take it 15 rounds," Jenkins said. "And if it came down to the last round and we had to go toe-to-toe, we were willing to do that. It just so happened we were able to win 14 of the 15 rounds."

'Cats coach shares moment

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- How big was Bethune-Cookman's 14-0 upset of defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion South Carolina State on Saturday? Count the ways.

· No team has beaten the Bulldogs in conference play since 2007; B-CU's win snapped a 21-game conference win streak and a 13-game home wining streak for South Carolina State.

· It was B-CU's first road shutout in 10 years -- the last at Howard in 2000.

· It left B-CU as one of only two unbeaten teams in the MEAC. The Wildcats and Hampton are both 4-0, and the two teams will meet at Hampton on Nov. 6.



Shut down and out: Bethune-Cookman blanks Bulldogs, 14-0
The atmosphere at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Saturday in the closing seconds was like nothing seen at a South Carolina State football game in three seasons. Fans who were initially expressing their frustration with boos started quietly exiting the stands. On the sidelines, the Bulldog players were throwing their helmets down with confused looks on their faces.

Meanwhile, the opposing sidelines and visitors' section were a sight of uninhibited celebration as the Bethune-Cookman players showered head coach Brian Jenkins with Gatorade and carried him off the field like a conquering hero.

The 23rd-ranked Wildcats had defeated 9th-ranked South Carolina State 14-0 before a stunned 10,077 fans. The loss saw an end to the Bulldogs' Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record 21-game winning streak and 13-game home-winning streak, both dating back to a 17-16 defeat to Delaware State on Oct. 27, 2007.

Pough sees B-C coach as rising star

The announcement of the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year is still weeks away. As far as head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough of 10th-ranked South Carolina State is concerned, it's a foregone conclusion who will win this year's honor - Bethune-Cookman's Brian Jenkins.

"He is definitely the Coach of the Year in our league," said Pough during Monday's press conference. "They're the most improved team I've seen in this league and it's a good thing. It's good for the fact that it will help the strength of our league in the fact that he'll go out and beat some people outside of our league. ... So he'll be a force in this league for years to come."



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Attendance: 10,077

S.C. State faces surprise unbeaten Bethune-Cookman

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina State on top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is no surprise. But Saturday's opponent, Bethune-Cookman, wasn't expected to be anywhere near first place at this point in the season.

Picked to finish eighth in the MEAC, the Wildcats (5-0, 3-0) have won their first five games by an average of 34 points. Now they get a chance to knock off the big dogs in the league. The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0) have won 21 games in a row in the conference.

"Any time you're playing a hot team, it's gonna be tough to get ready," Pough said. "They seem to be excited about what they're doing."



Top Video: Coach Mark Orlando brings the "Speedway O" to Bethune Cookman.

B-CU gets big chance to prove self vs. S.C. State

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Quarterback Matt Johnson was not exactly jumping for joy when Bethune-Cookman received a national football ranking Monday for the first time in his five years with the program. Neither were his teammates.

"No, there really wasn't a big reaction at all, because we're not happy at being (No.) 23," Johnson said. "There's nothing really to be happy about. I think everybody heard about it and went about their day." Rest assured, if the Wildcats win this week to stretch their record to 6-0...

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Jefferson H.S. QB Quentin Williams commits to Bethune-Cookman

The recruitment of Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams took an unexpected turn this weekend when the Dragons senior orally committed to Division I-AA Bethune-Cookman University. Williams, who is in the middle of what could be the most prolific passing season by a Hillsborough County quarterback, struggled to get on the Division I-A recruiting radar, but appeared to be drawing more interest recently.

Jefferson coach Mike Fenton described Williams' commitment as a soft verbal, but said Williams committed while attending Bethune-Cookman's homecoming win over Delaware State. "I think he still wants to take other visits and see if something else big comes up, but I guess he went up there and was talking with some of the other recruits and decided to commit," Fenton said.

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Bethune-Cookman breaks it open early to romp to fifth straight victory

DAYTONA BEACH — Androse Bell rushed for two touchdowns and Matt Johnson accounted for two scores to lead Bethune-Cookman to a 47-24 win over Delaware State on Saturday. The Wildcats (5-0, 3-0 MEAC) are 5-0 for the fifth time in their 85-year history and first since 2002.

Bell opened the scoring with 4:23 left in the first quarter on a 1-yard run. He added a 3-yard run near the end of the first half to put B-CU ahead 27-2. The Hornets (0-3, 0-5) struggled against the Wildcats defense in the first half, scoring only two after returning a blocked extra point in the first quarter.

Hornets Remain Winless; Drop to 0-5

Daytona Beach, Fla. --- Bethune-Cookman racked up 590 yards en route to a 47-24 win over Delaware State before 10,151 homecoming fans at Municipal Stadium this afternoon. The Wildcats improved 5-0 overall and pulled into a tie with Hampton for first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with a 3-0 mark in league play. The Hornets fell to 0-5 and 0-3.

Delaware State scored 22 points and collected 291 yards in the second half after trailing 34-2 at the break. Quarterback Matt Johnson completed 16-of-21 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 52 yards and a score, to lead the Bethune-Cookman attack. Johnson was tops in the MEAC in passing average and total offense entering the contest.

B-CU is 5-0 after rout on homecoming

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- After Bethune-Cookman and Delaware State players prayed on the field together, B-CU coach Brian Jenkins gave DSU coach Al Lavan a big hug. The postgame proceedings sure were a lot different than the last time Jenkins' Wildcats played at Municipal Stadium. This time he got to walk off the field with a big smile on his face.

Two weeks ago, he suffered from dehydration and was carried away on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. This time he got to celebrate the victory with his players. "I'm proud of the guys and thankful for the fans and always proud of my administration and our president," a beaming Jenkins said. "Right now, it's great to be a Wildcat."

After disposing of the Hornets 47-24 before a homecoming crowd of 10,151 on Saturday, the Wildcats are 5-0 for the first time since 2002.

Photo Gallery

Attendance: 10,151

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Morgan State routed by Bethune-Cookman, 69-32

Morgan State didn't need long Saturday to come to the realization it was in for a long day against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference power Bethune-Cookman. Sixteen seconds, to be exact.

That's how long it took for the Florida school to complete a 70-yard touchdown pass on its first play from scrimmage. It was only the beginning of a game to forget for the host Bears, who committed seven turnovers and allowed 640 yards of offense in a 69-32 loss.

"There wasn't an effort on either side of the ball — offensively or defensively," Morgan head coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "Anytime you turn the ball over seven, almost eight times, you can't beat a little league team like that. We have to do a better job of protecting the football, and we have to make some changes in some areas that we're making some crazy decisions."

'Cats offense runs wild in win

BALTIMORE, MD -- Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins admitted he's not a numbers guy. "We're not into stats or records," Jenkins said. "We're just focused on running our offense." Following Saturday's 69-32 win over host Morgan State, however, the numbers were difficult to ignore.

The Wildcats racked up 640 yards of total offense, including 366 on the ground, and forced seven turnovers to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2003, as well as 2-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the first time since 2006.

What's more, B-CU scored its most points on the road since 1950, starting on the game's first offensive play, when quarterback Matt Johnson found wide receiver Eddie Poole wide open down the left sideline -- the result of badly blown coverage by Morgan State -- for a 70-yard touchdown.

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B-CU rides fast start to MEAC win; Jenkins OK after scare

DAYTONA BEACH -- This is not the way Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins would have liked to celebrate his first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory. Shortly after the Wildcats held off Norfolk State 21-7 in front of 5,371 fans at Municipal Stadium, a dehydrated Jenkins was wheeled away in a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

"He's fine," B-CU associate head coach Terry Sims said of Jenkins, who was feeling dizzy late in the game and was fitted with an IV in the locker room after the game before being transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach.

"Everything they did was for precautionary reasons," Sims said. "He was drinking (water), but once dehydration sets in, there's not much you can do. It's really hot down there on the sideline."

Coach gets wake-up call

DAYTONA BEACH -- It may not be an all-out red alert. Maybe not even a red flag. But when your head coach's post-game exit involves a stretcher and ambulance, you don't exactly whistle into the night while fully enjoying a 3-0 record and first conference victory.

"Of course, he's gonna be fine," Bethune-Cookman athletics director Lynn Thompson said Saturday night, about 30 minutes after his high-profile hire, head coach Brian Jenkins, was hauled away from Municipal Stadium.

NSU digs early hole in falling to Bethune-Cookman 21-7

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman was ready for the race track. Norfolk State belonged on a dirt track. Bethune-Cookman's quickness, both in its Speedway offense and blitzing defenders, left the Spartans stuck in place for nearly a half, more than enough time for the Wildcats to take control in a 21-7 home win.

"It was like we were playing in sand," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. "We looked slow. We were in slow motion the first half."

In the first quarter, Norfolk State surrendered two touchdowns, two sacks and a blocked punt while being outgained 167-37. Norfolk State (2-2, 1-1 MEAC) trailed 14-0 after a quarter and 21-0 just nine seconds into the second.

NSU notes: Branche suffers shoulder injury in first quarter

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - On its most important offensive play of the game, the player Norfolk State wanted to carry the ball was only capable of toting his helmet. Senior running back DeAngelo Branche, NSU's offensive MVP so far this season, suffered a shoulder injury and barely played in the second half.

When Norfolk State failed on a fourth-and-2 at the Bethune-Cookman 21 in the middle of the third quarter, Branche could only watch. "He hurt it in the first quarter," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. Adrian said Branche was having trouble lifting his arm. Branche remained close to the coaching staff throughout the second half but got the call to re-enter only once or twice, trotting on as a diversion.


NSU MARCHING SPARTAN LEGION @ I.C. NORCOM H.S. BAND DAY, SEPT 25, 2010

B-CU/Norfolk State rivalry fades with Wyatt gone

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- When former Bethune-Cookman defensive coordinator Pete Adrian became head coach at Norfolk State in 2005, he took three other B-CU assistants with him and a rivalry was born.

Five years later, Brian Jenkins has replaced Alvin Wyatt as B-CU's coach and none of the Wildcats recruited by Adrian or his assistants are still with the team.

"The ties to them are gone," said B-CU quarterback Matt Johnson, a fifth-year senior. "The players who knew them are not here anymore, so it's just another game." As the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for the Wildcats, against a team that manhandled them last year, Saturday's game against the Spartans at Municipal Stadium is not quite just another game.

Pete's Ploys 3.0‎

This week's motivational tactic was by far the most entertaining, but also the most far-fetched.

Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian said he was listening to Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins recently -- I'm not sure if it was a media conference call, radio show or television program since I didn't hear it -- and Adrian decided to have a little fun with one of Jenkins' comments.

All of Jenkins' comments from below are Adrian's accounts, and I can't speak to the veracity of them, but it's not hard to imagine something similar occurring. Bethune has pumelled two rather inferior opponents, Savannah State and Edward Waters College. Jenkins, whose Wildcats beat Savannah State 42-7, allegedly said ...

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B-CU rolls up 70 points, 396 rush yards in debut

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Brian Jenkins' first game as Bethune-Cookman's head coach could not have played out any better had it been choreographed. Fans squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder in the home-side grandstands at Municipal Stadium to watch Jenkins' debut Saturday and were treated to B-CU rolling up 635 yards in beating undermanned Edward Waters 70-10.

It was the most points the Wildcats have ever scored in a coach's first game. And for the most part Jenkins was satisfied. "It was our first win and hopefully a sign of more to come, but we still have a lot of work to do," he said.

Jenkins chewed out his team late in the game when he felt like his players were losing their poise, and he was unhappy with his team's seven penalties, especially a personal foul and a delay-of-game call. But those are things that probably won't be remembered in the long run.

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ESPNU TV crew films B-CU band -

With their hands waving in the air, hundreds of Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats shake their hips in unison and repeatedly chant "How low can you go?" as they shimmy closer and closer to the ground.

In just two weeks, about 320 band students, including dancers and flag corps, have learned routines and dozens of songs leading up to their first performance Saturday at Municipal Stadium, where the football team plays Edward Waters College.

"We move at a fast pace," said Donovan Wells, director of bands at Bethune-Cookman University. For about 80 freshmen who play instruments, they first had to pass an audition. Once accepted earlier this year, they received 26 songs to learn before practice started Aug. 16. In all, the band members learn about 55 songs they perform throughout the season.

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Expectations split on BCU Jenkins

Bethune-Cookman University Coach Brian Jenkins

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- The gap is about as wide as the Grand Canyon. While Bethune-Cookman was picked to finish eighth out of nine teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference by the MEAC's coaches and sports information directors, Wildcats fans are generally expecting big things this season.

The reason for such disparate expectations is the same -- a new head coach. While the other coaches and SIDs seem to believe it will take time for the Wildcats to adjust to coach Brian Jenkins' system, optimistic B-CU fans are anticipating immediate improvement over last year's 5-6 (overall) and 4-4 (MEAC) marks.

"Everyone seems so impressed by how the kids have bought into what Coach Jenkins...

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