At halftime, Anthony Jordan had six carries for 18 yards. His long as six. By the time the clock (which malfunctioned earlier) reached 00:00 at the end of the fourth, the senior running back accounted for three touchdowns on runs of 1, 1, and 30 yards to propel B-CU (7-2, 4-1 MEAC) to a 34-20 win and a perfect 5-0 record at home for the 2014 season. A while lot can happen during the second half of a collegiate football game.
The win allows B-CU to stay within a half-game of the outright MEAC title. Four other teams – North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, Norfolk State and Morgan State – have one conference loss. Morgan State whipped Hampton 38-35. In case you didn’t know, NCCU was the only MEAC team to beat SCSU. The Wildcats do not play Morgan State this season….but they have to travel to Hampton. But I digress. As coach Brian Jenkins always says, ‘One game at a time.’
Speaking of Coach Jenkins, the Wildcats seemed to make the right adjustments following that 14-20 loss at SCSU one week ago.
Here’s what these eyes saw. Quentin Williams was under center for the three series but it was redshirt freshman Larry Brihm who took the majority of snaps for the game. Brihm certainly moved (and got rid of) the ball. He was 12 for 21 good for 119 yards in the air. His long was 30 yards.
He was good for 104 yards including a six-yard touchdown scamper to put B-CU on the board first with 1:57 left in the first quarter but NCCU took a 14-7 lead to the locker room at half. Michael Jones was good for a 43-yard touchdown run in the third to pull B–CU to 14-13 in the third.
Back to Brihm – on the ground he was had 13 rushes good for 109 yards and the TD I mentioned earlier. His long on the ground was 27 yards with an average of 8 yards per carry and he was sacked once. If you’re looking for the future of B-CUs QB situation. Brihm seems to be it from where I’m standing on the sideline. But I just write stuff.
By the way, B-CUs offense was 7 of 16 in third down conversions and 3-3 concerning red-zone scoring opportunities with that young man under center. Look to your knowledge of red-shirt freshmen and their game participation to determine what happens with that status. Perhaps Jenkins is trying to save him. Who knows? I just write stuff.
Defense still solid
For my defensive-minded readers, you be happy to know B-CU’s defense was solid in the win. In fact, Jordan’s heroics were made possible by a defensive unit, which limited the Eagles to 73 yards on the ground with an average of 2.6 yards per carry and 127 yards in the air on 14-29 passing.
B-CU lived up to its FCS second ranked defense has allowed just 249.1 yards per game. They held NCCU to 200 total yards.
You want more? Both Tavarus Dantzler, and Thomas Finnie registered bone-shaking hits (four apiece) Erik Williams was good for a sack of NCCU’s Malcolm Bell along with two QB hurries. The defensive backs logged four pass breakups.
Jenkins said Williams saw that Brihm was on a roll and said “keep him in there coach.” Very classy Quentin.
My view from the stands
For all those who claim it doesn’t get chilly in Florida, I say to you, ‘the devil is a liar.’ When one is accustomed to tropical temperatures year-round and wears shorts on Christmas Day, anything below 60 is cause to break out the hoodies and winter gear. On Saturday it was 58 but felt like 42, and the wind was whipping across the field. I’m sure you don’t blame me for spending plenty of time in the press box and Ticket box office on the visitor’s side during pre-game.
It was nice to see the workings of the Box office under the tutorage of Marion Davis, Darryl Spain, and my main girl Sally Mose. Also, Supervisor Kevin Doherty dropped in to check up on things with a walkie talkie in hand. It was cool, I observed ticket sales and enjoyed good laughs as I disrupted things while eating pastries and eating Twizzlers. I was nice and comfortable atop the heater in the Box office, it supported my slim frame very well. One thing I learned is people in Daytona are sparse in the stands during cold weather.
Damn what you heard about how it doesn’t get cold in Florida. It was cold ENOUGH. As I left the comfortable, warm confines of the Box office and was making my way to the B-CU side of the field, I noticed to my immediate left, a flash of Maroon and Gray. It was the North Carolina Central University Cheerleaders. I stopped in my tracks and set up shop as a photographer. All of a sudden it wasn’t as cold.
Great grub!
I finally made my way to the press box and settled in with a crisp Sierra Mist to wash down that home-style meat loaf, mashed potatoes with gravy and green beans they served us hard-working sports reporters. It was bloody delicious and I killed it. I love my job folks!
I must say except for a few times when I had to throw my hat at the window when I saw bad plays down on the field, and except for the NCCU radio crew (clearly Homers), who were cheering for their team, I enjoyed my time in the press box, out of the cold and wind. I grinned in appreciation of the Wildcats shutting them up for me since we reporters aren’t really allowed to cheer. It is frowned upon. I can say I uttered some choice curse words under my breath and I could hear Coach Jack “Cy” McClairen expressing some choice words in the background. Coach “Cy” can do that!
As I made my way back down to the field in the fourth quarter, the NCCU homers were quiet. They bounced back from that loss to SCSU. Next up is a meeting with Norfolk State University, whom beat B–CU 24-27 last year.
The Spartans do not like the Wildcats and vice versa. Let us see if the Wildcats can return the favor as Bethune-Cookman travels to Norfolk State on Thursday for the first of two Thursday night ESPNU appearances. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., inside William “Dick” Price Stadium in Norfolk, Va.
