Oct. 9, 2010
Photo Gallery / Twitter Recap
Box Score (PDF) 
/ VIDEO: Postgame Press Conference
VOICE: Johnson, B-CU Passing Game Go Long
By Dan Ryan
B-CUathletics.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman celebrated homecoming in grand fashion Saturday, overwhelming its opponent by a lopsided scored. Delaware State was the overwhelmed opponent and 47-24 was the lopsided score.
Snapping a four-game homecoming losing streak in front of a season-high crowd of 10,151, the Wildcats improved to 5-0 (3-0 conference) for the fifth time in school history and set the stage for a crucial Mid-Eastern Athletic conference showdown with South Carolina State next week.
"We treated this like it was another game like we always do,'' said Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Brian Jenkins. "But we're thankful to the fans who came out and supported us and we're happy we gave them something to enjoy. It's a great day to be a Wildcat."
Matt Johnson accounted for 311 total yards (259 passing, 52 rushing) and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing), while Androse Bell rushed for two scores as Bethune-Cookman scored on six consecutive possessions after a slow start.
Delaware State (0-5,0-3) forced the Wildcats to punt on their first three possessions, but two miscues on punting snaps by the Hornets gave B-CU the ball on the DSU 25, and the Wildcats capitalized.
Making use of the short field, B-CU took a 12-0 first quarter lead on 1-yard runs from Bell and Andronicus Lovette. The Hornets got on the scoreboard when Jomah Watson scooped up a blocked B-CU point after and returned it for two points.
B-CU's offense got on track in the second quarter as Johnson orchestrated three scoring drives of longer than 80 yards as the Wildcats took a 34-2 halftime lead.
"I knew our guys were hyped up and wanted to play well because it was homecoming," Jenkins said. "Once they settled down, we knew would be able to operate our offense."
Johnson, who was 16 of 21, exited the game after he connected with JeVaughn Reams on a diving 41-yard touchdown catch that gave B-CU a 40-2 lead. Reams finished with season-highs of six catches for 119 yards.
Delaware State scored on its final three possessions, two coming on touchdown passes from Nick Eldo to Larrone Moore.
B-CU's defense held the Hornets to 69 total yards in the first half and thwarted three drives inside the B-CU 35, including one where Ryan Lewis forced a fumble on a sack on Anthony Glaud that Reggie Sandilands recovered.
"The defense played stout and strong," Jenkins said. "They helped us."
Isidore Jackson led the Wildcats' 268-yard rushing effort with 85 yards and a touchdown. Jackie Wilson added a fourth-quarter score. Bell finished with 35 on the ground and caught three passes for 41 yards
NOTES: Reams matched his career-high with the six catches and surpassed his previous high of 101 set last against Delaware State ... B-CU has scored first in all five games this season and has not trailed ... This was the second straight home game the Wildcats did not give up a first-half TD ... Allen Suber in 2001.
