Karsceal Turner
I Got Next!
Special to West Orlando News Online
From my view inside the Press-box at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, it sure looked like the Hampton University Pirates came in and snatched the treasure after a 12-yard touchdown reception from HU’s Isiah Thomas. My heart sunk because I thought my alma mater lost a second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game.
It ain’t over till it’s over
The scene on the field seemed grim for B-CU loyalists as Pirate players stormed the field to celebrate their win. Meanwhile, their coaches in the coaches’ box shouted and cheered while the “working press” area grew eerily quiet by comparison.
After further review of that final TD reception by the pirates, it was ruled that Thomas did not maintain control of the ball during the catch. As a result of the review, B-CU (2-1 1-1) won a defensive 35-31 struggle.
The adage of “He who laughs last, laughs best” never felt better. Suddenly everything was reversed. Instead of celebrating, Pirate personnel, coaches, to players, and sports information representatives looked as though the air was knocked out of them.
I grinned like a happily satisfied Cheshire cat.
The scene on the field drastically changed to as Wildcat players and fans stormed the field and a collective sigh of relief could be felt all-around. What a turnaround!
Black-out nearly rained out
For a hot minute, it seemed like the game would never get underway. After raining a good part of the day, a pesky storm cell in the area held things up until 8:25. It was about an hour later than the scheduled 7:30 kick-off. ESPNU was there to catch all the drama of a see-saw, defensive struggle between these two power-houses. Once the action started, B-CU jumped out to a 14-3 first-quarter advantage
A recovered B-CU fumble breathed life into the Pirates (2-1 1-1) and led to a 20-yard field goal, followed by some spectacular play from QB David Legree. Legree hooked up with Thomas on a 50-yard bomb with 1:50 left in the first quarter to get the Pirates in the end zone for the first time on the night, closing Bethune-Cookman’s lead to 14-10. Legree would add a three-yard touchdown run with 3:47 left in the half and a 37-yard shuffle with 1:26 left to put the Pirates up 24-14 at the half.
Bethune-Cookman opened the second half with a 10-play, 65-yard drive, scoring when Backup QB Jackie Wilson connected with Eddie Poole from six yards out to bring the Wildcats to within a field goal, 24-21, with 11:28 left in the third quarter. Later, Wilson hit Arkee Smith on a 33-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left in the quarter to give the Wildcats a 28-24 lead.
Jamarr Robinson registered two first-half rushing touchdowns and a TD pass to Rodney Scott, but Wilson finished the game, helping the Wildcats erase a 24-14 halftime deficit and orchestrating the game-winning drive. Obviously, the quarterback situation is more pronounced with this recent win. Robinson finished 8 for 15 in passing for 57 yards with one interception and one touchdown pass before being replaced by Wilson, who finished five of six with no picks for 97 yards. However, he wasn’t the only offensive weapon for B-CU Thursday night. Eddie Poole was good for four receptions with a total of 33 yards and two scores. Scott rushed for a total of 131 yards and hauled in one pass for a touchdown.
Defensively, Reggie Sandilands registered 11 tackles on the night, while Ryan Davis logged 11 tackles and added two sacks. Jean Fanor and Ryan Lewis added nine and seven tackles respectively.
Repeat hopes still alive with win
Although B-CU dropped its first conference game against South Carolina State, a MEAC conference repeat is still in the cards, and in reach. One thing is for damn sure; one of the powerhouse teams has been dealt with. You can always expect a tough game from Hampton. Outside of FAMU, HU is always in the hunt, and all roads to the crown go through them. In this football atmosphere, two conference losses can get your goose cooked. We’ve seen that any team can beat another team at any given time
It appears B-CU has as good a shot as any of the top tier teams in the conference provided it can maintain momentum and minimize mistakes and mental errors.
B-CU lost two fumbles and was penalized 10 times for 69 yards including a couple of personal foul calls. Head Coach Brian Jenkins reaffirmed faith in his players and assured us those issues would be addressed.
“I’m disappointed with the turnovers but pleased with overall effort and outcome,” Jenkins said. “We regrouped in the second half after the personal fouls. This was a total team effort. Even if it had gone the other way, I would have been proud of the team effort. This was a heavyweight fight. Hat’s off to Hampton.”
Hurricane warning!
Before they commence with the conference title run, B-CU must travel to South Florida for an October 1 showdown with the “U” before resuming conference play on the road against Norfolk State University in yet another televised event on Oct. 8.
Coach Jenkins is from Fort Lauderdale and said he is delighted in the opportunity to prepare for and face the Hurricanes, who by the way smashed B-CU’s arch-nemesis FAMU with a 45-0 shutout last season. I’ve made my arrangements, see you in Miami. Remember, I got next!
Great peice Mr. Turner. It sure seemed that our home field worked to our advantage… It was a great game, the Pirates were a noble opponant.