Oct. 26, 2006

Daytona Beach, Fla. - While turning in a season-high performance in rushing yards, all-purpose yards and total offense, Bethune-Cookman College exploded past visiting North Carolina A&T State University by a score of 70-7 on Thursday evening in front of a national television audience (ESPNU / ESPN 2) at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

With North Carolina A&T (0-8, 0-6 MEAC) taking a brief 7-0 lead on the game's opening drive--the first time the Aggies had led in a game all season long, Bethune-Cookman College went on a torrid 70-0 scoring run that included not performing a single punt for the second time in the 2006 campaign. In fact, the Wildcats of B-CC (5-3, 3-2 MEAC) scored on every single possession until the final march of the game that saw the `Cats forfeit the ball on downs with just 3:05 remaining in the game.

As already mentioned, N.C. A&T took the opening kickoff and abruptly marched 65 yards down the field on seven plays, capped off by an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Wayne Campbell to fullback Ortiz Green. The extra point from Brad Barnhouse was good, and the Aggies had their first lead of the entire season, and their first score of the year on their opening possession.

But the fun for the visitors from Aggie Land wouldn't last long as the Wildcats took their opening possession of the game and, in turn, surged down the field on just four plays [spanning 27 yards following a 69-yard kickoff return from Corey Council] which was highlighted by a 12-yard pass from Jimmie Russell (Jonesboro, Ga.) to Jonathan Summers (Jacksonville, Fla.) to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:41 showing on the clock.

The Aggies looked good in their next possession, but a series of unfortunate events hit as Campbell's pass from intercepted by James Monds in the B-CC end zone after what was turning out to be a brilliant drive for N.C. A&T. The `Cats wasted little time turning the misfortune for N.C. A&T into B-CC points as Russell (7 for 12 / 149 yds. / 2 TDs) hit Corey Council (Valdosta, Ga.) for a 55-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to give the `Cats a 14-7 lead.

With B-CC leading 35-7 at the half, the `Cats took the second half kickoff and marched 63-yards down the field in just under two minutes for a Russell 12-yard touchdown scamper on a quarterback draw to pad the lead for B-CC even more.

The scoring would continue later on as senior running back P.J. Smith (Daytona Beach, Fla.) got into the mix with a 39-yard run right up the middle of the Aggies defense before crossing to his left for the touchdown. That score, added the Jesus Cortez (Ft. Meade, Fla.) extra point, put B-CC up 56-7.

But it wouldn't be a Bethune-Cookman College game if senior wide receiver and MEAC Offensive Player of the Year candidate Eric Weems (Ormond Beach, Fla.) didn't get into the scoring column. Already breaking down the Aggies defense with big receptions all night long to set-up his teammates for scores, Weems not only caught one touchdown pass from Jarod Rucker (North Miami Beach, Fla.), but he also broke loose for the Wildcats first punt return for touchdown all season long.

In the opening part of the fourth quarter, Weems (6 rec. / 107 yds. / 1 TD) fielded the N.C. A&T punt from Lee Woodson at his own 33 yard line and broke loose down the left sideline all the way to the end zone. Not to be denied, Weems out ran three Aggie defenders in the end, and dove the final two yards into pay dirt.

The game's last scoring was set up when freshman linebacker Julio Sanchez (Miami, Fla.)--a heralded freshman linebacker from Miami Northwestern High School collected his first career interception at the Aggie 29 yard line. That allowed quarterback Devin Bradley (Daytona Beach, Fla.), engineering the game's last two touchdowns, to hand off to Earnest Bah (Jacksonville, Fla.) as he powered his way into the end zone for his first career touchdown carry. The extra point from Cortez capped off the scoring at the final margin of 70-7.

For the Wildcats, the 10 PATs from Cortez was a school record, as well as the 70 points being the highest amount of points put on a scoreboard since moving to Division I. En lieu of this, Russell passed Pa'Tell Troutman for ninth all-time on the school's passing list.

For the Aggies, there were bright spots tonight as running back Michael Ferguson collected his first career 100-yard rushing performance with a team-high 108 yards on 23 carries. Quarterback Campbell also passed for 59 yards on 6-of-17 with one scoring strike. Curtis Walls carried the load in receiving with four catches for 43 yards. As for the Blue Death defense, they were highlighted by the efforts of Jamison Hedgepeth with a game-high nine tackles. Behind him was Davion Hemphill with eight tackles and one pass deflection.

The Wildcats could easily take their pick of players to highlight, but quarterbacks Jarod Rucker and Jimmie Russell set the tone. Russell finished the evening with a game-high 89 yards rushing on nine carries, as well as 149 yards through the air on a 7-for-12 performance with two touchdowns. Russell also added two TDs on the ground. Rucker chipped in with 46 yards rushing on five carries, added 104 yards and two touchdowns through the air on an 8-for-11 performance. Weems caught a game-high six passes for 107 yards and one TD--the third time this season he has surpassed 100 yards receiving in a game. Summers finished just behind Weems with five catches for 62 yards and one TD score himself.

The defense was anchored by Ronnie "Batman" McCullough (Tampa, Fla.) with a team-high eight tackles and one pass breakup. Also performing well was Bobbie Williams (Miami, Fla.) with seven tackles and one fumble recovery. Josh "Robin" Balloon (Tampa, Fla.) added six tackles and safety Travis Roland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) collected five tackles and the games only quarterback sack of Campbell.

Bethune-Cookman College will now continue down "Murderer's Row" next week as they compete in back-to-back Thursday night games on ESPNU when they travel to Hampton University for a 7:30 pm contest on Nov. 2 in Hampton, Virginia.

The Wildcats have not beaten the Pirates in Hampton since the 2000 season. For ticket information, please call the B-CC Ticket Office at (386) 481-2292.