For two consecutive games, Bethune-Cookman University has played out-matched programs with tigers for mascots. For two consecutive games, the Wildcats have proven to be the biggest-baddest cat. The latest for instance comes in the form of a 42-7 mauling Saturday in Daytona Beach.
While there is excitement in Wildcat country, there is also caution, everyone knows B-CU is supposed to win these games. Everyone knows the conference schedule will tell the true tale.
Head coach Brian Jenkins has two wins under his belt. He set a tone when he stepped foot on campus. His players are playing to that tone and it is evident in their faces as they solemnly take the Legacy Walk from the bus to the locker room at every home game.
If Jenkins is the heart of this program then Quarterback Matt Johnson has got to be the blood. Early on, as if to make a statement to the home crowd about the future outcome of the game, he orchestrated a 73-yard drive and capped it off with a 1-yard scoot in the end zone.
The Tigers answered in-kind with a 75-yard drive of their own, it was enough to silence the 2,510 fans at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach.
It was enough to expose a few holes in a B-CU team who will face its first true test against a high- powered conference opponent in Norfolk State University this coming weekend.
However, it wasn’t enough to save the Tigers from having yet another basketball score hung on them. They fell in much the same way as Edward Waters College in its 70-10 thrashing. Also like EWC, they weren’t able to mount an offensive threat and never threatened past yards the rest of the afternoon. In fact, offensively, they were held to 244 yards with four forced turnovers in the form of fumbles and two interceptions.
Johnson at home in spread offense
Johnson is entering his senior season after getting very little play in his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He showed some grit as a junior but hardly made up for inconsistencies. However, now it seems he is showing flashes of brilliance. He jump-started the B-CU offensive attack by passing for two touchdowns (totaling 167 yards in the air) and running for another two (112 yards on the ground).
His initial drive and accompanying touchdown made the statement just as he planned. For Wildcat loyalist, the performance was reminiscent of plays by Pa’Tell Troutman and Allen Suber, who now serves as the receivers coach at B-CU.
Just to drive the point home about Johnson’s prowess, he is already surpassed 100 yards in passing and rushing to-date and it is still early. Johnson feels far more at home in the Wildcats spread offense than he did in the option oriented “ Wyatt bone”. The results are right in front of your eyes.
Jenkins is using the best of the talent his has on the team, Jones said. He is bringing out the highest potential in these players.
Is it ironic or providence that Suber coaches the receivers Johnson passes to?
It is a little hard not to take notice of the three headed monster B-CU has at the signal caller-position as each quarterback was able to move the ball. Jackie Wilson even scored on a 1-yard run.
Defensive Effective
The Wildcats defense bent, made some adjustments and held the Tigers to 244 yards and forced turnovers. Arkee Smith is steadily becoming a defensive ball hawk. The safety registered two interceptions and led the defense with four solo tackles; he was followed by Jaermal Walls with one sack, three solo tackles and Rock Angrand with 3 solos. Seven Wildcat defenders registered at least two unassisted tackles.
As impressed as Jenkins was with the play of the defense, he was less enthusiastic with the fact the Wildcats yielded 169 yards in rushing yardage to SSU. “Our defense has got to continue to improve, we didn’t tackle well (Saturday),” he later said.
Jenkins also wasn’t exactly pleased with the 18 flags for 113 yards his team racked up. Against Norfolk State, that just simply isn’t going to get it.
Norfolk State is coming off a bashing of their own against another non-conference opponent. NSU dismantled Virginia State 51-28 Saturday. The Spartans go-to guy was running back DeAngelo Branche, who scored four touchdowns on the ground from less than two yards out.
Jenkins immediately switched gears for a Norfolk State University game which has become a staunch foe for the Wildcats under former B-CU defensive coordinator now NSU Head Coach Pete Adrian. The midnight oil at the Jenkins home and at the B-CU football offices burned late into the night Saturday night.
B-CU fans will also be in full-force for the showdown on September 25th in Daytona Beach.
Louis Jones played linebacker for B-CU when it won championships in 1984 and 1989. He knows a bit about defensive schemes. Jones continues to follow the Cats along with all the other former ball players and alumni.
“As a team, B-Cu played well in-spite of the penalties. They won’t be able to do that against better teams. They have got to protect the middle better and control the inside running. Offensively, they also had a lot of dropped passes. I think they will make some adjustments. They proved they have the potential to improve with each game. The non-conference schedule is done, now playtime is over,”
By Karsceal Turner
