Oct. 1, 2011
Final Stats
Final Stats
By Dan Ryan
B-CUAthletics.com
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman had its 15 minutes of FBS fame - and a little longer - Saturday before Miami wore down the Wildcats and spoiled their first game against the FBS. The "U" defeated the `Cats 45-14 before an announced Sun Life crowd of 40,387 and an ESPNU audience.
A 1-yard Eddie Poole touchdown catch from Jackie Wilson gave the Wildcats (2-2) an early 7-0 lead, which they carried midway through the second quarter. The Hurricanes quickly shifted momentum with a 56-yard Tommy Streeter pass from Jacory Harris and a 3-yard run from Lamar Miller set up by a 44-yard Travis Benjamin punt return - all in a two-minute span.
Trailing 21-7, B-CU closed to 21-14 on Wilson's 1-yard keeper with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter, but the Hurricanes (2-2) pulled away and scored the final 24 points.
Miller finished with 102 yards and another score and Harris (175 yards) connected with Streeter again for a fourth quarter touchdown, but Miami was outgained 422-335 by the Wildcats, who controlled the clock for 38:59.
"The main goal was to win the game. I still think we could have done it," said B-CU Head Coach Brian Jenkins. "We went toe-to-toe with them and [Miami coach Al] Golden knows what he saw. If you're looking for me to say this was moral victory, I don't even know what that is, you win or you lose."
B-CU matriculated the ball on the opening drive, capitalizing on Miami penalties, as it moved down the to the U's 6-yard line. However, Rodney Scott was stripped of the ball at the one, and the Hurricanes recovered.
A "U" three-and-out gave B-CU another shot for the lead, and the `Cats capitalized. Anthony Jordan's 27-yard run and a 21-yard Wilson to Jordan Murphy moved the Wildcats in the red zone again, and Wilson hit Poole in the right corner of the endzone for the B-CU lead with 4:05 left.
"I was excited that I was able to give my team the upper hand," Poole said. "It was a great feeling that everybody did their job and I was the final result."
B-CU's defense maintained the lead when Miami moved to the B-CU 29, as Cornelius Wheeler stuffed Mike James on a fourth-and-one. Another UM drive was stalled by a Ryan Davis sack, but the `Canes used the big plays to take a 14-7 lead.
B-CU tried to answer late in the first half, moving to the Hurricane 21 on a 20-yard Wilson to Maurice Francois completion, but Sven Hurd's 38-yard field goal fell short, leaving the score 14-7 at halftime.
The "U" struck first in the second half when Miller busted loose for a 43-yarder on the third play from scrimmage. B-CU answered, driving 45 yards after instant replay reversed a call and gave Daniel Rhodes a fumble recovery. A 19-yard Poole catch and a Jordan rush for a fourth-down conversion set up Wilson's keeper.
"I feel our pride should increase knowing we can compete with an ACC school," Wilson said. "Everybody gave their all today and that was important."
After Wilson (21 of 31 for 180 yards) retired, David Blackwell registered a late march that moved B-CU to the Hurricane 6-yard before time expired. Andronicus Lovette led B-CU rushers with 65 yards on seven carries, followed by Blackwell (5-53) and Jordan (7-49). Poole's six catches for 44 yards led ten B-CU receivers.
Defensively, Jarkevis Fields had eight tackles, followed by Jean Fanor with six. Davis and Sandilands each had one sack.
"Miami knew how close it was for three quarters," Davis said. "If you looked in their eyes, they were a little timid for a little bit. They got a couple of big plays and they started relaxing; but hats off to them." B-CU resumes Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play next Saturday at North Carolina A&T with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
NOTES: Of all the South Florida players on the B-CU roster, Ryan Lewis was tabbed as the Wildcat with the most family in the stands with 43; Poole said he had 25 ... Poole extended his pass-catching streak to 16 games with his first quarter catches. His touchdown was his 12th of the career and he is now 10th on the all-time receiving TD list. Poole has now caught a TD in 3 straight games... B-CU has now scored the first TD in all four games this season. South Carolina State scored the first five points of the 9/10 game with a safety and a field goal... Instant replay remains a friend of the Wildcats. BCU has won every challenged call this season...B-CU scored at least 14 points in every game of the Brian Jenkins era, now 16 games... Murphy had a career-high three catches at the end of the third quarter. Previous high was 2 on 4 occasions... Jordan had a career-high 7 rushes for 49 yards - also a career-high after three quarters.
