Karsceal Turner – I Got NEXT!
Allow me to begin this piece by declaring how bloody hot the September Florida sun is. I was very excited to be at Bethune-Cookman University’s home opener and arrived a good three hours before the game. I must admit, I felt a certain feeling of superiority as I prepared for Saturday’s contest between the Wildcats and Grambling State University’s Tigers. The Wildcats were looking to snap an eight-game losing skid dating back to a classic one-point decision in favor of GSU back in 2004.
Bethune-Cookman defended its number one ranking and secured its first victory over Grambling State since 1954 Saturday with a 36-23 “cat-fight in front of a Municipal Stadium crowd of 9,423. Yep the stands were full. My Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) Worthy Matron was upset she had to park on the visitor’s side. This tells you how thick it was in the stands. We were all cooking together in that Florida sun. It smelled like bacon and eggs at the stadium. B-CUs pre-game festivities revolved around the presentation of the 1984 MEAC Champs. I made it my business to tell as many of them as I could that I appreciate how they represented OUR school.
See-saw battle kept fans engaged
Plenty has changed since Grambling’s 24-23 win 10 years ago, though. The Tigers are amid the toughest stretch in program history with a 2-23 record dating back to 2012, while the Wildcats are currently the No. 1-ranked HBCU team in the country.
It was yet another battle of the cats and it looked pretty ugly as I stood in the sun and watched the two teams’ trade field goals for much of the first half. Grambling State trailed 14-3 just before halftime, but scored 11 unanswered points to take a 16-14 lead on Marc Orozco’s third field goal of the game, a 32-yarder with 9:32 left in the third quarter.
B-CU regained the lead at 22-16 on Quentin Williams’ 9-yard score followed by Larry Brihm’s 2-point conversion. Williams finished with touchdowns and completed 13 of 18 passes for 165 yards for the Wildcats.
The Tigers answered quickly when Dominque Leake caught a pass over the middle for a 75-yard touchdown that gave Grambling State a 23-22 lead.
B-CU regained the lead at 22-16 on Williams’ 9-yard run and Larry Brihm’s 2-point conversion on the ensuing drive. Williams connected with Darrian Baker on a 47-yard completion to set up the score
Did I mention it was hot? While I was on the field before the game, I talked with a Grambling player briefly (during their warmups), and asked if things were better as opposed to last year? You remember how there were issues with the Football program and adequate facilities and equipment for the student-athletes at Grambling right? (that stuff was ugly and a scar on all Black colleges). Anyway, he assured me things were better. I could tell from the fresh new uniforms the team was wearing.
No Battle of the bands this time…we were cheated
My one issue was that the band didn’t travel to Daytona Beach. Perhaps we ask for too much at one time wanting to see the famed “Bayou Band”, which has a storied tale all its own. They have performed on the African continent, Japan, and for the inauguration of George W. Bush. However, they simply didn’t make that 12 hour, 830 mile trek from Grambling from I-20 to I-10 and finally to I-95. Hey, it COSTS to send a band to performance venues, but that isn’t really any of my business. I was simply complaining that the anticipated battle of the bands was to be half of my column. Dammit man.
What’s the thing with Black Colleges and Cats anyway?
Here’s some useful Jeopardy information for you (I know you love Jeopardy). Did you know a large majority of Black colleges feature a cat as their mascot? There are 27 to be exact. The following is my short list of schools I researched in attempt to educate. I would that my readers would become acquainted with ALL Black Colleges (whether historically Black or not, and yes, there’s a difference, my dad told me so). The list includes Tigers, Lions, Panthers, Jaguars, and three Wildcats…oh my!
Tigers – Benedict College (SC), Edward Waters College (FL), Grambling State (LA), Jackson State (MS), Morehouse (GA), Savannah State (GA), Stilman College (AL), St. Paul’s College (VA), Tennessee State University (TN), Texas Southern (TX), Paul Quinn College (TX), Texas College (TX), Tuskegee University (AL), Voorhees College (SC),
Lions – Florida Memorial University (FL), Langston University (OK), Lincoln University (PA), Paine College (GA), (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (AR),
Panthers – Claflin College (SC), Clark Atlanta University (GA), Prairie View A&M University (TX), Virginia Union University (VA)
Jaguars – Southern University (LA)
Wildcats – Bethune-Cookman University (FL), Fort Valley State University (GA), Wiley College (TX). I can’t say I got them all out of nearly 117 but I know for sure that I opened you up to some you weren’t aware of. One can only wonder what the fascination with felines is? I’m certain I may have missed one or two but you can fill us all in when you write YOUR column.
Although unofficial, this contest was another showdown between the MEAC and the SWAC, in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, the MEAC has the edge. For a hot minute, it seemed as if Grambling was going to avenge their conference mates whom the Wildcats beat the stuffing from.
I recall speaking to Dr. Edison Jackson, president of B-CU in the 4th quarter as I as heading to the field one last time. I recall saying to him ‘Dr. Jackson, I need our team to give me something good to write about’. He told me to keep the faith. I don’t know if he sent up a silent prayer but things sure turned B-CU’s way soon after we chatted, I suppose his being a preacher may have helped…it sure as heck wasn’t MY doing.
B-CU travels west on I-4 with a showdown with yet another Football Bowl Series (FBS) program Saturday, September 20 when they take on the Knights of University of Central Florida at 6:00 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN3. You just might catch a glimpse of me on the field, I’ll be all over Bright House Networks Stadium on UCFs campus because I got NEXT! See you in Orlando.
