Bethune-Cookman University resumed its rivalry with nearby UCF Saturday night. The No.12 Wildcats dropped a 41-7 decision to the defending Fiesta Bowl champion Knights at Bright House Stadium.
Since the Wildcats suffered through such a lop-sided loss, I’m glad it came against an FBS team known for handing out butt-whippings. This defeat will equate to adjustments that will definitely show up in the weeks to come.
UCF quarterback Justin Holman threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns to help the Knights take their home opener as well as their 11th victory of the series against the Wildcats. The teams hadn’t met since 1995 prior to Saturday.
The Knights struck first with senior kicker Rodrigo Quirarte’s first career field goal, a 37-yarder with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats (2-1) had a promising start, taking a 7-3 lead on Anthony Jordan’s 1-yard run with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter. Jordan scored his first-career rushing touchdown, capping an eight-play, 76-yard drive for a 7-3 lead but it was the last time the Wildcats would get near the end zone.
UCF (1-2) quickly answered with Holman’s 35-yard strike to J.J. Worton to regain the lead.
A 48-yard Darian Baker kickoff return along with a horse collar tackle penalty on the ensuing kickoff gave B-CU an excellent opportunity, but the Wildcats came up empty when Haden Hoggarth’s 44-yard field goal fell short.
“The first win of the season is always a big win, especially at home,” UCF head coach George O’Leary said. “Today I thought was a good team victory. I thought the kids executed fairly well. There are still corrections to be made, but overall I thought they gave good effort. Against a team that is 2-0 and 13th in the nation in the FCS, so I’m happy for the kids.”
Quentin Williams finished nine of 12 for 102 yards. DeVonte Washington had three catches for 18 yards. B-CU managed just 150 total yards against the Knights, who gained 351.
Marching Pride show up and show out
As bad as it was on the field, B-CU’s one saving grace was the performance of the Marching Pride. As expected, the band rocked Bright House Networks Stadium and had UCF Knights fans on the edges of their seats for the entire contest. Halftime was no different. Mr. Wells and his staff put on a clinic of how a marching band is supposed to look and compose itself on the field. The result was a standing ovation from a stadium filled with fans clad in Black and Gold. Hey, even the UCF dancers were in awe (you know I keeps an eye on the dancers).
I don’t want to bring up old stuff but many of those fans saw the debacle with Carolina Panthers kicker on ESPN and were amped to see what B-CU’s band is all about. I believe they got their answer.
B-CU hosts Florida Tech next Saturday for Church and Community at Daytona Beach’s Municipal Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. It’ll be another battle of the cats because FTU’s mascot is a Panther. I’ll be in the stands and on the field because I got NEXT!
