Nov. 3, 2011
Reach Football Contact Michael Stambaugh for details - 386.481.2278
by Dan Ryan - www.B-CUathletics.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman has only given up twelve points in its last two games. Morgan State is coming off a shutout and has only given up a field goal in its past eight quarters of play.
So could 2011's Homecoming turn into a slobberknocker defensive display when the Wildcats host the Bears, Saturday at Municipal Stadium? Why not? Good defense can be fun to watch.
While B-CU has relied on defensive end Ryan Davis (51 Tackles, 33 Solo, 18 TFL, 9 Sacks, 5 FF) and the linebacker corps of Reggie Sandilands (43 Tackles, 8 TFL 2 FR), Ryan Lewis (29 Tackles, 2 FF) and Jarkevis Fields (59 Tackles, 24 Solo, FF) to trigger a three-game winning streak. So too are the Bears, behind their defensive unit that's third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring defense. The Bears are giving up 20.6 points a game. MSU also leads the MEAC with a +13 turnover margin.
"No doubt there's two teams that are playing good defensively right now," said B-CU coach Brian Jenkins. "Each defense does a good job of putting its team in a position to win."
"Morgan State does a good job of stacking the box and stopping the run and they stop teams from making the big plays," Jenkins said. "They're a sound team. Their success doesn't surprise me."
Jenkins gives a lot to Morgan State assistant coach Alonzo Lee, the former North Carolina A&T Head Coach and current MSU Pass-Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach.
"He's helped out a lot," Jenkins said. "He's knowledgeable and able to inspire his players."
Meanwhile, B-CU's also been able to inspire itself after that 22-3 loss at North Carolina A&T last month served as a huge wake-up call when B-CU was held to 108 yards of total offense.
"We're a lot more focused," Jenkins said. "We've learned we're not going to win just by lining up."
While Isidore Jackson's rushing has been the source of success on offense, Jackie Wilson has won his last two starts and earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after racking up 296 total yards (113 rushing, 183 passing) in last week's 34-6 romp at North Carolina Central.
However, the Wildcat quarterback carousel continues. It all comes down to who has the best practice week.
"Jackie's winning and it's good to see him play at a high level," Jenkins said. "I'm looking forward to seeing who takes the first snap."
