Karsceal Turner – I Got Next!
This was a column I dreaded writing. After covering a season where I witnessed the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats out-match the majority of opponents they have faced up to this point, it simply was not to be done against a team whose football program is older than the school itself. The South Carolina State University Bulldogs, out-lasted B-CU by a score of 20-14 at Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, SC.
Call it sweet revenge for SCSU, who has lost the last two meetings between the teams.
Junior defensive lineman Javon Hargrave had career-recording setting day with 11 tackles (11 solo), six sacks and six tackles for loss to the lead the South Carolina State defense.
Hargrave tied the MEAC (Issac Hilton/Hampton 2002) and FCS I-AA National sack record with the six sack performance, while breaking the school record for sacks in game previously held since 1997.
The Wildcats struck first on a 42-yard strike from Quentin Williams to Jhomo Gordan to give the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead at the 14:23 mark in the first quarter. SCSU’s linebacker Justin Hughes tied the game on a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:24 remaining in the first-half to even the score.
SCSU defensive back Antonio Hamilton put SC State ahead on a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Nail-biting final seconds
The Wildcats took advantage of the Bulldogs costly mistakes, picking up a fumble for a 3-yard return for a score by Donald Smith with 0:50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
SCSU wasn’t out of tricks yet. Starting quarterback redshirt sophomore Adrian Kollock, Jr. who was injured and did not play majority of the game, replaced a struggling Calvin Giles-McClary, went on to throw a 49-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Austin Smith with 0:33 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
It was one of the craziest final minutes in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football history. B-CU erased a seven-point deficit, but later fell by six as the two teams traded a pair of scores over the course of the final seconds.
The B-CU defense limited the SCSU offense to just 126 yards of total offense, including just 46 yards rushing paced by Ralph Williams, Jr. with a game-high 13 tackles, including a career-best 11 solo tackles.
Offensively, Michael D. Jones led the Cats with 60 yards rushing, while Quentin Williams finished the day with 122 yards passing and one touchdown, connecting on 15-of-25 attempts. Gordon led all receivers with 77 yards on five receptions.
B-CU fans show their support amid complaints
Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on the campus of South Carolina State University is a 22,000 capacity surface poly turf. There was a sea of Maroon and Gold on the visitor’s side as B-CU faithful came out in mass to witness the action. Edward “Creamy” Hayes made the trip along with a busload which included Bethune-Cookman University’s Alumni Music Association and friends on a Travelink charter. Travelink is also the bus line the B-CU band regularly uses. Hayes said the turn out for B-CU faithful was a great thing and that the loss was tough. “A lot of people were looking for the coach to replace the quarterback but coach stuck with him. B-CU still has some tough road games ahead, hopefully they will make the adjustment needed,” Hayes added.
According to at least one other fan who made the chartered bus ride to SCSU, B-CUs offense was highly exposed during the dog-fight in Orangeburg. Louis Jones, a former Wildcat Tight-end said the triple-spread offense B-CU employs is too predictable. “The offensive coordinator didn’t use many of the weapons the team has,” Jones said. “They moved away from what was working for them in the first half and the quarterback holds on to the ball too long. The SCSU defense made easy adjustments because B-CU’s offense was so predictable.”
Jones isn’t exactly alone in his assessment. I often hear the grumblings of B-CU faithful as I make my way through the stands. Often, those sentiments include curse words I can’t really print although I’m usually good for bending the rules.
Conference race is tight
South Carolina State sits at (5-3, 3-1 MEAC), while B-CU now is (6-2, 3-1 MEAC) and is tied for first place atop the conference along with NCA&T, SCSU, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, and Norfolk State University, all have similar loss records in the conference. Basically, B-CU has to win out with road games against NSU, and Hampton in intimidating environments. Let us not forget the game of all games against the Rattlers of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on Nov. 22. Many B-CU fans care only about beating FAMU and nothing else. To them it equates to a good or bad season.
Bethune-Cookman hosts North Carolina Central for “Senior Appreciation Day” Nov. 1 at Municipal Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. I will be lurking all around Municipal stadium for this last home game of the season because I Got NEXT!
Im just wondering has Jenkins taken the Wildcats as far as he can? This was to some “The Big Game”! If you take a look in the past when these two get together you have to play a mistake free game. It was clear the Wildcats made one too many. The defense played a hell of a game. Some are wondering whats going on with the coaching decisions.