Oct. 31, 2009
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
GREENSBORO, NC –
A dominant Wildcat defense and a ball control offense powered Bethune-Cookman (3-5, 2-3 MEAC) to a convincing 31-13 win at North Carolina A & T (5-4, 3-3). Three fourth quarter touchdowns broke open a close 10-7 game and the Wildcats spoiled the A & T Homecoming before 21,500 fans at Aggie Stadium. B-CU out-gained the Aggies by almost 2-1 in yardage and controlled the ball for 38 minutes to 22 in the win.
North Carolina A & T scored a touchdown on the last play of the game to make the final score 31-13.
1st Quarter
'Cats Score On Opening Drive – Dominate Quarter
A 7-play, 70-yard drive keyed by a 40-yard catch and run from starting QB Maurice Francois to Courtney Keith put B-CU up 7-0 midway through the first quarter. Keith's five yard TD run with 8:15 to play in the quarter capped the scoring drive.
The Wildcat defense stopped the Aggie offense on both drives in the opening quarter and B-CU dominated the time of possession and total yardage in the first 15 minutes. The 'Cats had 99 yards in total offense and had the ball 10:14 to the Aggies 31 yards and 4:48 possession time.
2nd Quarter
Freshman punter Kory Kowalski pinned the Aggies on their own one yard line with a 41 yard punt and B-CU controlled field position in the second quarter.
Jr. QB Matthew Johnson came in for two drives in the quarter and led the Wildcats into scoring position before drives were stopped.
Aggies' Long With 96 Yard Punt Return To Tie Score At 7-7
North Carolina A & T returner Quay Long scooped up a Kowalski punt inside the five yard line and raced 96 yards for a game-tying touchdown with 5:17 to play in the half.
In the first half, B-CU out-gained the Aggies 140-42 (Francois with 26 yards rushing and 59 yards passing). Keith had 54 yards receiving and 12 yards rushing in the first half. Time of possession was 21:42 for the Wildcats to 8:18 for NCAT
Third Quarter
Wildcats Go Ahead 10-7 On Kowalski Field Goal
Three big plays led to B-CU scoring on its opening drive of the third quarter. Running back Jonathan Moment rushed 26 yards up the middle, Johnson passed 13 yards to Jameel McCleod and Fred McCaskill rushed 12 yards in the drive. Kowalski kicked a 31-yard field goal with 9:45 to play in the third quarter to cap the 10-play drive.
NC A & T place kicker Wallace Miles missed a 42-yard field goal with 3:25 to play in the third quarter to end the third quarter 10-7, B-CU.
Fourth Quarter
Francois Keys 4th Quarter Scoring Drives – TD Pass & Run
Francois Shuffle Pass To McCaskill For 26 Yard TD – B-CU Leads 17-7
Francois orchestrated an 8-play- 75 yard drive capped by a nifty shuffle pass forward to Fred McCaskill for a 26 yard touchdown pass. Kowalski's extra point gave the Wildcats a 17-7 lead with 14 minutes to play in the game.
Five minutes later, Francois scored on a 28 yard keeper for the clinching B-CU TD to go ahead 24-7 with 9:53 remaining,. The Wildcat scoring drive was 80 yards in six plays.
Sandilands Interception In Final 3 Minutes
Ryan Lewis Interception For Touchdown With 1:15 Left – Final Score 31-13
Reggie Sandilands picked off an Aggie pass near the B-CU goal line to keep the final score 24-7. The defense was dominating all game long and limited the Aggies to only 41 yards in the first half,
On the next Aggie drive – Ryan Lewis picked off a pass and ran 28 yards for a touchdown making the score 31-7 before the last second
B-CU returns home for Senior Day and also Memorial to former Wildcat star in the 70's – Willie Collins – Saturday, November 7, 4 p.m. game vs. Hampton University at Municipal Stadium.
