Karsceal Turner – I Got NEXT!
I’m certain the Panthers of Florida International University were chomping at the bit to play a FCS team after being walloped by two teams on so called upper tier, You see, FIU is a member of Conference USA. They got molly-whopped 43-10 by Maryland, then got bashed in their home opener by UCF 38-zip.
I’m positive the Panthers didn’t take B-CU lightly, I am fairly confident the heat was different than a balmy day in Daytona Beach, and I’m absolutely sure that stadium has never been rocked like the Marching Pride did it from the stands and on the field.
Please indulge me a chance to pose a question here to the handful of loyal FIU fans who showed up to support their team compared to the Legions of B-CU fans who filled the visitor’s side…how does it feel to have the Wildcats travel to Miami, to YOUR stadium, promptly kick your ass, and then thank them by paying a nice sum?
Don’t answer that. Brian Jenkins’ squad had all the answers Saturday in a record 34-14 bashing and the first-time ever win against a Football Bowl Subdivision team.
That first paragraph of trash-talking was for FIU nation. They were talking MUCH B.S. I navigated my way from Miramar to Miami, (BTW, you need to know how to drive in the 305), then onto the campus finally arrived at Alphonso field at Panther Stadium. It was a nice steel-structured facility.
After parking the “whip,” I picked up a sideline armband and headed to Lot 6 (fan central). I could hear the sounds of familiar music and was hit in the face by the aroma of Barbecue. The Ice-Cold brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha offered me some grub, followed by an old B-CC classmates, Roger “Duke” Farrell, and Jose Perez. I hung out with some senior Wildcat alum and dipped my hand-towel in their ice chest. As I surveyed the area, I noticed various B-CU administrators and financiers, shaking hands, spreading love, and making moves.
I hung out with plank owners of my own fraternity; Edward “Creamy” Hayes and Moses B. Stubbs. I swear- Stubbs, who founded my chapter (Gamma Theta) in 1948, was so cool with his cap tipped forward that I didn’t recognize that guy. He blew me away! I was humbled folks. Yo Nupe!
Moving right along I heard the sound of the FIU band as they marched to the stadium through the tailgating venue. They stopped to give a small fanfare which was a different feel. I dug it. I also dug a sneak peek at the Panther cheerleaders…niice.
Stay with me now, I made my way to the entrance to Alphonso field at Panther stadium. The FIU band set up and put on another fanfare on field. You must respect the hard work of those band members, that’s two performances already in 90® degree heat with hats on. I remember giving Dr. Wild E. Cat some dap I know he was burning up in that uniform. As I looked to the horizon of Panther Stadium, I saw the imposing silhouette of the Marching Wildcats coming into the venue. The echo from “Let’s go Wildcats” was deafening!
And now…..The GAME
Speaking of uniforms, B-CU was in all-white everything. The Wildcats made a statement from the jump by sticking kick-off FIU return man Giovanni Francois so hard, the young man was laid out for a good 30 seconds. B-CUs special teams sent the message that this thing wasn’t going to be pretty. Quentin Williams led a 1:28 drive for 91 yards and a touchdown by Anthony Jordan put the Wildcats up 7-0 early. I saw the Panthers get an adrenaline rush as Quarterback Jake Medlock threw an 8-yard strike to T.J. Lowder to tie it 7-all at the half. Lowder’s six receptions and the TD were the only FIU bright spots.
The second half belonged to the Wildcats, who put another score up with a 15-yard run by Williams with just over seven minutes left in the third. That score was followed by another score from White just three minutes later on a 43-yard touchdown run, making the score 28-7.
Adding insult to injury, Bethune-Cookman’s Tim Burke intercepted a Jake Medlock pass in the fourth quarter and returned it from on his own 8-yard line for a touchdown.
Coach Jenkins was his regular stoic self. Displaying little to no emotion, his comment after the game was this: “I wouldn’t say we’ve arrived. We knew it would be a heavyweight fight. We expected to play well, we didn’t dominate the game gave of big passes and runs. We capitalized the scheme to the fullest. I’m ecstatic to win so close to home (he’s from Ft. Lauderdale) we’re a good team it’s early with a lot of football left, right now I can’t give a definitive answer to “have we arrived”.
This guy is as cool as a cucumber. You have to like his poise.
Wildcats vs. Seminoles @ …ya’ll ain’t ready!
A quick note about FIU, they are part of Conference USA, Florida State University is in the ACC. That is a helluva jump in competition and prestige. Coach Jenkins may be calm but there is quite a buzz in Daytona Beach. The Wildcat Nation will invade Seminole Nation on Bobby Bowden field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee Sep. 21 at 6:00p.m. Can’t make it like me? Dig it on ESPN3.
You friendly neighborhood columnist will be handling red-hat duties for our friends at Stetson University that evening. The Hatters take on Birmingham Southern University at Spec Martin Stadium. Don’t hate me for being versatile.
B-CU won’t play another home game until Oct. 19 when another team of cats comes to Daytona Beach. Lord help the Savannah State Tigers.
