Wildcats bulldoze Bulldogs 27-14 for road win and MEAC Driving Seat

I Got Next! Special to the West Orlando News Online
Karsceal Turner

Bethune-Cookman University is making a habit of coming from behind and maintaining defensive domination to finish out games.

Saturday’s 27-14 road win against South Carolina State University was indicative of a forming pattern. But look here, don’t be so quick to call this new edition of B-CU the “comeback Cats”.

Adjustments to Make

Head Coach Brian Jenkins quickly emphasized the need for further improvement. “We’ve still got a lot of things that we need to correct. I’m curious to see how good of a football team we can be if we show up for four quarters of football,” he said.

Coach was taking note of B-CU’s lone turnover of the contest. Although penalties proved to be serious in the game (they always are), SCSU was good for 13 pieces of laundry (flags), for 79 yards, compared with B-CU’s 10 penalties for 77. The Wildcats limited the Bulldogs offense to just 69-yards passing and 236 yards total offense. That’s kinda alright methinks, that’s why I’m not Head coach I suppose.

You wouldn’t have expected such an outcome judging by how the Bulldogs had their way with the Cats early on.

Déjà vu?

South Carolina State jumped out to a quick 7-0 advantage at the 9:15 mark in the first quarter. THEN scored their second touchdown on a 3-yard score with 6:18 left for a quick 14-0 lead. Some B-CU miscues account for some of that foolery. Damned if this scenario isn’t similar to what went down last Sunday against Alabama State. (I’m just saying). Also similar was B-CU’s ability to turn adversity into fuel.

The Wildcats scored early in the second quarter on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Tyrone Bouie to cut the lead 14-7 at the 13:55 mark.  Isidore Jackson’s 4-yard truck tied the game 14-14 with 7:23 left in the first-half. Your boy led all rushers, carrying 21 times for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Hurd’s Kicking Prominence Promising

Meanwhile, Sven Hurd, the 5’10, 210-pound kicker who is built like a lean linebacker struck again on a 28-yard field goal with less than 2:00 left in the half. The Cats took a 17-14 lead into halftime. Hurd wasn’t done yet. The team’s leading scorer connected on his second field goal on the night by booting a 23-yarder with 9:46 left in the third quarter. On the night, he was 3-for-3 on extra points and hit two of three field goals.

The Wildcats simply did not look back. Senior Rodney Scott’s 3-yard run sealed the victory. He carried nine times for 42 yards and B-CU’s last rushing score.

Jackie Wilson was good for 10 of 15 in passes for 125 yards for the Wildcats, while Broderick Waters was good for just 55 yards on four completions in contrast to his showing in the opener.

We’ll get back to how that two-headed quarterback thing is going for B-CU later. But trust me, that was a bitter conference loss for SCSU at historic O.C Dawson Stadium. To sprinkle salt on the wound, the game happened to be their (State’s) home opener of the season. Ouch man!   

“Anytime you get a victory over anybody it’s a good thing, but looking at the game, we made it a little harder than it had to be,” Jenkins said.

Traveling South to Take On the University of Miami

Always the modest guy who jabs you in the ribs is Coach Jenkins. NEXT GAME: The Wildcats take their talents to South Florida for a re-match with the “U” Don’t be so quick to go “OOOoohh!” The Wildcats put a nice scare and snatched some respect from the Canes last season. The 45-14 dredging wasn’t indicative of the game. The Wildcats held nearly a 2-to-1 edge in time of possession and outgained Miami 422-335. Think the Canes ain’t pointing to those stats right now? Please Stop! Sorry, I’ll miss this one folks. Watching a high school homie jump the broom (poor fool). Till the next home game against Tennessee State, remember, I Got Next!