Karsceal Turner
I Got Next!
Special to West Orlando News Online
Wow, talk about getting mauled! In the latest battle between Wildcats and Bears, the bears were the ones overpowered. Somebody please tap me on the shoulder if I am mistaken. Basketball season doesn’t begin for a couple months now…right?
It’s hard to tell judging from the basketball scores that I keep seeing Bethune-Cookman University hang on their opponents on the gridiron. The latest victim of the Wildcats was the Bears of Morgan State University, whom found themselves thrashed to the tune of 69-32 in a high-scoring output for both teams. However, it was MSU who was a highly touted team going into this contest and B-CU who served as the underdog.
It was another impressive offensive afternoon for the Wildcats (4-0 overall 2-0 MEAC). B-CU scored eight rushing touchdowns and garnered 640 yards of total offense. Andronicus Lovette accounted for three touchdowns while Androse Bell rushed for another two. When the dust settled, the Cats racked up 366 yards on the ground. Isidore Jackson was the Wildcats leading rusher. He was good for 101 yards on 13 carries.
Matt Johnson was good for 13 of 18 passes for 261 of B-CU’s 274 passing yards. On the flip-side, defensively, B-CU held the Bears to 247 yards of total offensive output. At the half, MSU battled back 42-26 on a 93-yard kickoff return and 44-yard interception return. However, a minute into the third quarter, B-CU’s Ryan Lewis returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown. The Cats then proceeded to outscore the Bears 27-6 in the second half.
With the win, Bethune-Cookman rises to second place in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) behind only Hampton University. The Pirates just defeated Delaware State University 20-14 while B-CU was handing Morgan State their ass. You may ask why the hell do we care about whom DSU lost to last weekend. Well, the Hornets will be coming to Daytona Beach for B-CU’s Homecoming 2010 fresh off that stinging they received from Hampton. They will be looking to take their troubles out on B-CU and spoil the party.
These two teams have not liked each other since the Hornets came to town one year and laid a phenomenal thrashing on B-CU for its homecoming. If that wasn’t enough. The DSU players planted a Hornets flag in the middle of the field at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium. Trust me when I tell you a brawl broke-out of immense proportions. It spilled over into basketball season and continued when B-CU traveled to Delaware State the following season. Several players on each team sustained injuries.
True, all those players have likely left both teams. However, coaches will remember the hard fought battles on and off the field. I ask this question, how many bitter rivalries still occur long after those whom started them have left? I’m just saying.
Meet me Saturday at Larry Kelly field in Daytona Beach as the Wildcats try to expound on their success by winning its first homecoming under the Brian Jenkins era.
Matt Johnson was good for 13 of 18 passes