DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - As motorcycles rumbled throughout Daytona Beach for Biketoberfest, Bethune-Cookman's offense roared to a season-high offensive output Saturday as the Wildcats downed Norfolk State, 48-3, before a Second Annual Biker Classic crowd of 6,243 at Municipal Stadium.
Isidore Jackson scored two touchdowns and Quentin Williams threw two touchdown passes for the Wildcats, who improved to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference while setting the stage for a critical showdown next Saturday against North Carolina Central. This was B-CU's ninth consecutive MEAC triumph.
"A tremendous team victory," said B-CU Head Coach Brian Jenkins. "This is one that players can be commended for. It's hard to come off a bye week and keep momentum."
B-CU scored on five of its six first half possessions, and racked up 271 total yards in the first half against the defending champion Spartans (2-6,0-4 MEAC) defense that entered the game ranked third in FCS with an average of 272 yards allowed per game.
Williams once again was efficient, leading the Wildcats on four scoring drives longer than 66 yards, converting 9-of-13 third downs and one fourth down. He left midway through the third quarter with a stat line reading 9-of-11 passing for 157 yards, adding another 27 yards rushing.
"We had a beat on some of their checks and the way they [Norfolk State] were going to roll their coverages," Jenkins said. "[Offensive coordinator] Jim Pry studied them through and through. Quentin was able to make his reads and we were able to have a better understanding of the defenses."
A five-yard Williams to Eddie Poole touchdown capped off a 16-play, 75-yard opening drive to give B-CU a 7-0 lead with 8:20 to play in the first quarter.
Norfolk State recovered a B-CU fumble at the Wildcats 30 later in the period, but B-CU quickly turned the tide when D.J. Howard scooped up a Spartans fumble and scooted 69 yards for his second career touchdown and 14-0 Wildcats lead with 3:41 to play in the opening stanza.
KJ Stroud gave B-CU a 21-0 lead with 8:26 remaining in the second quarter on a 28-yarder from Williams. Stroud finished with four catches for six yards.
Jackson, who gained 57 yards on 11 carries, scored on runs of 33 and one, respectively, to push B-CU's lead to 34-0.
Brodrick Waters took over for Williams at quarterback in the second half, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown while throwing a 13-yard pass to Jhomo Gordon.
Donald Smith led the B-CU defense with six tackles, while Nick Addison extended the Wildcats' streak of games with an interception out to 14 with a third-quarter pick and 45-yard return that set up Waters' first score. Dwayne Montgemory, Rakeem Knight and LeBrandon Richardson each registered a sack.
