Karsceal Turner
I Got Next!
Special to the West Orlando News Online
It seemed as though Hampton University would be the team to de-throne the Wildcats from the ranks of the unbeaten in FCS standings but it simply was not to be. B-CU’s defense made sure of it and came up with the plays to up-end Hampton at its Homecoming and Senior Day in front of a crowd of over 12,000 fans. To add insult to injury, the Pirates had not won a Homecoming game since 2006.
The 11th-ranked Wildcats couldn’t get its high powered offense ticking. However, it was evident the Pirates came to play and they were very successful in shutting B-CU down early in the game.
Hampton was able to score 10 points in the first half and do something that no one has done against the Wildcats all season, which was maintain a lead heading into the half. The Pirates lead 10-3 at intermission.
Not to downplay the play of the Pirates one bit, they held a Wildcat offense that was averaging 496.6 yards per game and scoring 44.1 points per game to just a single touchdown and 248 yards of total offense. They also pretty much shut down B-CUs rushing attack to 114 yards. senior quarterback Matt Johnson was held to 11 yards rushing and 134 passing after coming into the game averaging 79 and 199, respectively.
Head Coach Brian Jenkins was obviously amped about his team’s defensive prowess.
“It was really good to see us respond like that. We’ve never been down or behind, and we had to play from behind in a very serious environment against a good football team. I’m just glad our kids stayed the course, didn’t get rattled, didn’t panic, and carried out our game plan and came out victorious,” Jenkins said.
Michael Williams lead the defensive attack with nine. Meanwhile, Ryan Lewis had eight tackles, including three tackles for loss. At least three other players forced fumbles while. Arkee Smith was good for an interception while Ryan Lewis, Daniel Rhodes, Tim Burke, and Erik Williams each scooped up fumbles, with Rhodes taking his to the house in for the TD to get B-CU back in it early in the third quarter after being stalled by the pirates through two quarters.
The Wildcats (9-0, 6-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored two TDs off fumbles in a span of 3:04 in the third quarter to rally for the win and remain unscathed. B-CU plays host to Howard University Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach.
