Karsceal Turner
I Got Next!
Special to West Orlando News Online
Surely, I am not the only B-CU enthusiast whom is both astounded and excited about the possibilities for the future of the football program. Head Coach Brian Jenkins has this team primed and ready to not only surpass finishing eighth in the conference, but compete for the conference title in his first year at the controls. Take that non-believers!
With regards to controlling their destiny, B-CU is still in the driver’s seat. The team is 5-0 for just the fifth time in school history. In the balance hangs a possible conference championship and an automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs are on the horizon. However, there are still some bumping stops along the path to glory. One of those bumps would have to be the Bulldogs of South Caroline State University. However, we’ll get to them later in the column.
It’s true; the Cats have breezed through these first games. Each game has been more exciting than the last as the team continues to build momentum. Thus far, we have seen basketball scores each week and hoops season is still a nearly a month away. Those early games against Edward Waters and Savannah State proved to be scrimmages at best. Next up were conference games against Norfolk State and Morgan State. B-CU proved they were for real by beating up on the Spartans in our own back yard. Then they traveled to Baltimore and spanked the Bears in their own den before heading back to Daytona Beach and the friendly confines of Municipal Stadium where they proceeded to take the sting out of the Delaware State Hornets.
Sweet Homecoming
B-CU took care of business with that 47-24 thrashing of Delaware State University in front of 10,151 fans clad in Maroon and Gold. The 47 points scored is actually under B-CU’s per game average this season if you can believe it. Trust me; all eyes are now on the next game, which will surely be the most difficult test yet.
On the horizon is defending MEAC Champion South Carolina State University. As I said a few sentences ago, the path to that coveted championship trophy has some bumps stops in it. Orangeburg, South Carolina is definitely going to be a rough one.
This is the time of year when teams begin to peak as a collective unit. Let us take a gander at what the Cats take with them into this game against the Bulldogs of SCSU.
Dig these weapons offensively. Against DSU, the Wildcats tallied 253.4 yards passing and 287.2 yards rushing. Matt Johnson continued to orchestrate his no-huddle spread offense with an offensive unit that is extremely talented and deep too. Johnson passed for 259 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 52 yards and another score, as B-CU tallied 590 yards. It was testimony to what they have been able to accomplish offensively all season.
Thus far, five different players are good for 100 yards. At least four have scored four touchdowns apiece. Nearly a dozen other players are good for 50 yards as receivers. They have turned the ball over just three times offensively.
Dig these weapons defensively. B-CU is allowing 279.6 yards to opposing teams and has an outstanding plus-12 turnover ratio. These guys have forced seven fumbles and snatched eight interceptions collectively. Saturday the special teams play set-up two scores.
Weaknesses? The Wildcats lone Achilles would surely have to be its kicking game. The Cats are (0-for-5) in field goals. It seems to have trickled over to the PATs where at least were blocked Saturday. Coach Jenkins has made no bones about the fact that he is unimpressed with the kicking game thus far.
“Right now, I’m not happy with our kickers or our front guys who provide protection, it’s hindering us and we need to get it corrected,” Jenkins said.
Win in Orangesburg could catapult the Cats
Talk about making folks eat their words. I’m fairly sure all those coaches and sports information directors who picked B-CU to finish eighth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference before the season are looking at the current 5-0 record and are still scratching their skulls wondering how the hell did that happen?
The Wildcats (5-0, 3-0 MEAC) will take a dynamic offense to Orangeburg that is averaging 540.6 yards per game and has scored 36 touchdowns.
The ninth-ranked Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0 MEAC) are two-time defending conference champs and have won 22 straight conference games entering Saturday’s contest in Orangeburg. Don’t think for one second that SCSU is willing to let the Cats come in there and manhandle them on their home field. Especially with everything that is on the line.
Dig these facts about the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs opened up conference play with a win over Florida A&M University 19-0 then backed it up with a shellacking of Norfolk State 34-13 last Saturday. In the most recent game, Senior running back Chris Massey led the rushing attack with 23 carries for 82 yards. He was good for two touchdowns while Malcolm Long the Preseason Player of the Year in the conference finished 12-20 for 125 yards and one touchdown. Both of these players will give the Wildcat defense some concerns.
The Bulldogs defense was led by senior linebacker David Erby with 11 tackles. This is as dangerous team as any the Wildcats have encountered this season. However, much more hangs in the balance. We have learned that on any given Saturday, any given team can suffer an ass-whipping.
This is the reason coaches and players are reluctant to talk too much about future games. This thing is far from over. As a matter of fact, it has really just gained some momentum. So, after tackling these Bulldogs in a game with championship implications, there will still be showdowns with Pirates, Aggies, Bison, and lest we forget Ratters. This thing is far from over so let us NOT get on a high horse just yet!. Stay tuned right here with West Orlando News Online.
