Karsceal Turner- I Got NEXT!
The 2014 edition of the Florida Classic lived up to its billing. It was truly a classic. This fan noticed a series of firsts before the Wildcats finally de-fanged their arch-rival Florida A&M 18-17 in overtime.
I have been a Florida Classic connoisseur since 1994, when it was still held in Tampa. I suffered through the mid and late 90’s when B-CU used to have its “Ass” handed to them. What I must say for the 2014 edition and 89th meeting between the two rivals. B-CU redshirt freshman quarterback Larry Brihm ran it in for two points after Danny Dillard scored on a 1-yard run for the Wildcats (9-3, 5-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).
With the win B-CU earned a share of its fourth MEAC title in the five years under Jenkins…Wildcat fans, you like that don’t you?
Although the end result was a win for Bethune-Cookman, the truth is that the game for all its billing and publicity, had its hiccups. The weather didn’t cooperate for one thing. I know I’m not the only person who watched the news for an indication that the skies would weep in the form of an annoying mist just in time for the biggest Black collegiate football game in the Nation. Off and on it misted. At one point I had to run to parking lot “H” and retrieve the B-CU letterman jacket. I was only too happy to do that and represent in TRUE fashion on the sidelines (underneath was my fresh Kappa Alpha Psi Tee and a Masonic emblem of course). Perhaps what fell from the sky at the Citrus Bowl wasn’t exactly rain, but it was cold and wet. Yep, football weather through and through.
Anyway, another hiccup was the exodus of fans from both sides just after Halftime. To coin a phrase “Blame it on the rain”, or mist, or whatever you wanted to call it but it was cold and wet. I don’t do cold and wet. Neither did half of the 41,126 fans of the Florida Classic whom I saw riding those new escalators downward to exit. I’ll leave that right there and sip some tea.
The final hiccup was in the guise of 0-0 score through an entire half of football. This writer has never seen that in a Florida Classic. As it turned out, that boring, scoreless first half set things up in such a way that those who dared leave the re-furbished, state-of-the-art stadium before the end of the contest truly missed what makes the game worth its billing.
If I didn’t mention the new Citrus Bowl earlier it’s because I wanted you to wait for it….Yes, the 78-year-old stadium underwent a reconstruction during 2014, at a cost estimated to be $207 million. Just in time for the 89th installation of the historic game. The stadium’s upper level seating were retained, but the entire lower bowl structure was demolished. This ain’t your old Citrus Bowl. It’s updated and has that “new stadium smell.” Everything is new, you really should check it out, next year.
Refurbished Stadium Experiences Growing Pains
In the newly-reconstructed stadium there are two 360-degree concourses, a 20,000-square-foot plaza deck (“party deck”) 41,000 all-new lower bowl seats with six additional inches of leg room & chair backs, multiple giant video displays, new team facilities including locker and training rooms, new stadium operations facilities to allow better efficiency in food service, security, first aid and maintenance, new concessions and restrooms, and a vibrant open-air façade.
Trust me, I was able to take in the majority of the new facilities’ amenities. It began when I took the elevator to the press box to partake of that great “grub” provided to us working media types. I made my way to the press box where I met up with B-CU Football AD for Sports Communications Brian Harvey before making my way to the spread which included salad, mac and cheese, and barbecued pulled pork. I grabbed a couple brownies for good measure and sipped on a Sierra Mist fresh from the freezer for our pleasure. Yes, being a columnist has its perks. Never mind that the elevator operator didn’t know which floor the Press Box was located on.
I suppose it was a simply a growing pain to be worked out along with the many people who bought tickets for one section on a particular side but received the opposite, or perhaps the compounded parking issues because of the ongoing construction on the facility. The first noticeable glitch was when B-CU President Dr. Edison O. Jackson spoke into the microphone and couldn’t be heard. They eventually worked that one out and he roused those clad in Maroon and Gold on to victory.
Slightly soggy November football
In addition to the weather’s lack of cooperation. Both teams failed to give us some excitement. That is unless, you count the 13 penalties for 101 yards against the Wildcats. The real drama and climax actually occurred after two quarters and 14 minutes, when the Wildcats finally capitalized on a red zone opportunity (after failing miserably the previous two tries), they were 3-5 in red-zone opportunities and scored twice inside it, just when they most needed it.
Sophomore running back Michael Jones scored on a nine-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead over the Rattlers heading into the fourth quarter. You’re scratching your head wondering what happened in the preceding three Quarters. Not a bloody thing. The Wildcats outgained the Rattlers 382-171, but neither team could do much offensively. In addition, there was that annoying mist to contend with.
Battle of the Bands was like “meh’
If you wanted me to rant about the battle of the bands I’m simply not going to do it. If you ask whether the “Marching Pride” beat the “Marching 100” during halftime the answer is a resounding yes! The formations were on point, the choreography was on point, the 14K dancers in those new outfits were onnn point! But one must ask, how is this different from any other half-time presentation?
And then came the “Marching 100”, whom looked more like a strong marching 50 or 75. No salt intended, just describing what these eyes saw. I suffered through their presentation for the sheer sportsmanship of it if you want the truth, hey, Hail Wildcats! I will admit, I dug their exuberance when I drifted over for a closer look at their cheerleaders and dancers. More perks of the position.
In today’s age of social media networks, one particular page consistently kept things interesting. Shout out to the “FAMU VS. Bethune-Cookman Trash Talking Page and its 1,752 members. Funny how the FAMU fans are quiet all of a sudden. I’m just saying.
Another playoff appearance for B-CU?…..uh no.
For B-CU, the win marks the first time in the history of the series that the Wildcats have won four consecutive against their rivals from Tallahassee. For FAMU Seniors, it marks four consecutive years of losing to the Wildcats…That’s ugly right there.
The possibility of a five-way tie existed if B-CU, NC A&T, NCCU, Morgan State, and South Caroline State all finished 6-2 in conference play (which they did). Each team shares the conference title with Morgan State. HOWEVER, Morgan State received the automatic bid to the Division I FCS playoffs based on its record versus all the tied teams. You’ll recall B-CU didn’t play MSU this season.
With the NCA&T (9-3, 6-2) losing to the NCCU (7-5, 6-2), South Carolina State (8-4, 6-2) beating Norfolk State and Bethune-Cookman (9-3, 6-2) defeating Florida A&M, the Bears won the crucial tiebreaker to collect the automatic berth in the FCS postseason.
It was the Bears first MEAC championship since 1979, and this will mark the Bears first Division I playoff in the school’s history.
As for the 2014 edition of the Florida Classic, when the mist settled, B-CU helds all bragging rights for another 365 days.
