Karsceal Turner – I Got NEXT!
In a game between two teams who sincerely dislike one another, it was the Spartans of Norfolk State that knocked Bethune-Cookman University off their high horse in a slugfest at Municipal Stadium Saturday. A furious fourth quarter rally fell short Saturday as No. 12/10 Bethune-Cookman dropped a 27-24 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.
The Spartans (3-7) were ahead 27-7 before the Wildcats scored 17 consecutive points. NSU was able to run out almost the entire clock and sealed the victory by intercepting a desperation pass.
B-CU (8-2), whose only previous defeat came to FBS title contender Florida State, had won nine consecutive home games against NSU.
The Spartans had numerous standouts on both sides of the ball, none bigger than running back Rolandan Finch and linebacker Lynden Trail. Finch ran a season-high 38 times for 110 yards and a score against the MEAC’s top defense, his fifth 100-yard game of the year and second straight. Trail was all over the field, recording eight tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and his third receiving TD of the year.
Spartans capitalize on miscues while steadily scoring on B-CU
NSU scored on its first three drives of the night. Finch capped the game’s first possession, a 10-play, 81-yard drive, with a 2-yard TD run with 9:57 left in the first quarter. The key play in the drive was a leaping 22-yard catch of a Tyler Clark pass by tight end Joseph Hawkins to set up the Spartans with a first-and-goal. Finch darted into the end zone for his third TD of the year on the next play.
NSU didn’t need much time to add to its lead. On the third play of the ensuing drive, Trail blew up the Wildcats’ third-down option play, forcing B-CU quarterback Quentin Williams’ pitch to go awry. NSU defensive back Natturner Harris scooped up the loose ball and sprinted 31 yards for the Spartans’ second defensive score in as many weeks, extending the lead to 24-7.
B-CU had two prime opportunities to score later in the half, but NSU got a pair of key interceptions in its own end. Freshman safety Leroy Parker had the first, and junior safety Keenan Lambert had the second just before halftime on Williams’ throw into the end zone.
Trailing 27-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Wildcats closed to three points on Isidore Jackson’s 11-yard run with 5:48 remaining. A fourth-down penalty kept B-CU from getting a meaningful final possession.
Wildcats rally begins and ends abruptly
Nick Addison started the rally when he stripped a Norfolk State receiver of the ball and took it 14 yards for a touchdown. On the next possession, Jonathan Cagle kicked a 23-yard field goal after a touchdown was called back for illegal procedure.
A 61-yard Jackie Wilson to Jontavius Carter set up Jackson’s touchdown, his second of the game.
The Spartans capitalized on three Wildcat turnovers to take a 17-7 halftime lead, then extended their lead to 24-7 on Natturner Harris’ 31-yard fumble recovery and a 29-yard Vamern Marouf field goal in the third period.
Jackson finished with 69 yards on 12 carries. Wilson was six of 12 for 94 yards.
The Wildcats, whose only previous loss this year came to No. 2-ranked FBS power Florida State, rallied with 17 points in the fourth quarter. On the first play of the period, Clark completed a short pass to Derrick Demps, who was stripped by B-CU safety Nick Addison while fighting for extra yardage. Addison jaunted 14 yards into the end zone to cut NSU’s lead to 27-13.
Jonathan Cagle’s 23-yard field goal on the Wildcats’ next possession brought his team within 27-16. After forcing an NSU punt, the Wildcats needed just two plays to make it a one-score game. Reserve Wildcats quarterback Jackie Wilson hit Jontavious Carter for a 61-yard pass play, and then Jackson darted in from the 11 on the next play. A two-point conversion brought the Wildcats within 27-24 with 5:48 remaining.
However, NSU picked up two key first downs on the next drive to clock the game away. NSU was faced with a fourth down and a punt situation, the Wildcats were called for a personal foul during the punt that kept the drive alive. Clark added a key 11-yard run to pick up another first down near mid-field later in the possession.
Bethune-Cookman called its last timeout and the Spartans eventually turned the ball back over on downs with six seconds left. But Wilson’s last-gasp heave was picked off by Darrin Marrow well shy of the end zone, NSU’s fifth takeaway of the day.
NSU held B-CU’s MEAC-leading offense to just 272 total yards. Jackson rushed for 69 yards and two scores for the Wildcats. Wilson and Williams, B-CU’s two quarterbacks, were 9-of-18 for 118 yards and three interceptions.
Closed lips don’t get fined for bashing officials
B-CU head coach Brian Jenkins was solemn and to the point after the contest, which is also the way he is after a B-CU win. “There were lots of missed opportunities, they came out and executed better. Bottom line, we didn’t execute,” My hat goes off to them; they put up the most points of anyone we’ve encountered against our defense.”
After getting fined last week by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for criticizing officials, Jenkins refused to talk about penalties Saturday.
But there was no denying that a plethora of yellow flags contributed to B-CU’s 27-24 loss to Norfolk State, ending the Wildcats’ 18-game MEAC winning streak.
“I don’t want to comment on that because I don’t want to get fined,” he said.
You have to dig his consistency; it usually transfers to his team but not this time. The Wildcats aren’t waiting to see how they look in the standings. They are set for Monday’s film session and preparation for Hampton University, whom comes to town Nov. 16.
Although the team isn’t allowed to look past Hampton this upcoming Saturday towards Nov. 23 and the Florida Classic, I can and will. As a Black College alum, I can say we won homecoming but still need to win that Classic against Arch nemesis FAMU to feel as though we’ve accomplished something this season.
But hey, what do I know, I just went to the school and write a commentary about what I see, I assure you, I’ll have a great account for you following next week’s contest against the Pirates. No one will give it to you like I will because I Got NEXT!
