Sept. 12, 2009
Final Stats
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
Daytona Beach, Florida -
South Carolina State beat the Wildcats 24-3, the defending MEAC champions scoring touchdowns in each of the first three quarters holding Bethune-Cookman to under 100 yards in total offense.
"It was a tough day for the Wildcats," said B-CU Head Coach Alvin Wyatt. "They (South Carolina State) are the 15th ranked football team in the country and they are a good football team in all facets of the game. We have got to push forward and get ready for the another football game (in two weeks vs. Norfolk State). We'll turn it around and we have to find a way to play better. They were the bigger, stronger, team today."
SCSU Jumps Out To 7-0 Early Lead on B-CU Turnover - Lead 14-0 At Halftime
'Cats freshman punter-placekicker Kory Kowalski fielded a punt snap and his knee touched on B-CU's own four yard line in the opening five minutes, setting up a short two-play SCSU drive for the opening lead at 7-0.
The Bulldogs scored on their first possession of the second quarter, driving 65 yards in 11 plays for the longest sustained scoring drive of the game - to go ahead 14-0 with 12:02 remaining in the first half.
B-CU Offense Limited to 14 Yards Rushing and 97 Yards in Total Offense
SCSU's defense was solid all game limiting the MEAC's top rushing offense to 14 yards on 34 attempts. The Wildcats had 67 yards lost in rushing attempts and sacks to hurt the overall total yardage stats.
Ryan Lewis' Interception Return to the 1-Yard Line -Fumble Into Endzone For Touchback - Key Play
B-CU's Ryan Lewis returned an interception 54 yards down to the SCSU one yard line but he was stripped of the ball and it was ruled a touchback in the third quarter with 10 minutes to play. The ruling was a key play in the game as the touchdown would have put B-CU back into the game at 14-7.
Bethune-Cookman's Kowalski kicked a 31 yard field goal with 1:50 left in the third quarter to make the score 14-3. The ensuing kickoff to Tre' Oliver was returned 86 yards for a touchdown - with the back-breaking return giving the Bulldogs a 21-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. SCSU added a fourth quarter field goal to end the scoring and the 15th-ranked team secured a solid MEAC road win 24-3.
See Team/Individual Stats -click on final stats link (above)
B-CU is idle next weekend and plays at Norfolk State, Saturday, September 26, 4 p.m. The next home game at Municipal Stadium is vs. Morgan State, October 3, 4 p.m.
