DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – With just 45 days to go in the “24kCountdown to Kickoff”, every Wednesday features a special team, game or unique moment as it relates to Wildcats football throughout the rich history of the Maroon and Gold program.
This week, we step back not too long ago to the 2005 season and the second-longest game played in B-CU history. The date was Sept. 24, and the Cats entered with a 2-1 record, but having lost their last contest to South Carolina State, 27-24.
In the annual Fish Bowl Classic played at Norfolk State, the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game as Jimmie Russell hit Jonathan Summers on a 28-yard pass. Norfolk State answered right back on its first possession with a seven-play, 77-yard drive that was capped off by a Daryl Jones touchdown on a pass from Brandon Brooks.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-10 lead before taking a 21-13 advantage into the locker room at the half. The Spartans' Antonio Gomez booted back-to-back field goals for the Green and Gold to cut into the B-CU lead before the break.
In the second-half, the Spartans surged back to take a 35-28 lead late in the third quarter on the strength of a strong rushing performance by Jones. He ran for 23 yards on the drive, spanning just 45 yards and giving NSU its first lead of the game with 2:49 remaining in the quarter. Jones finished the game with 137 yards and four TDs, three on the ground.
A one-yard plunge by Chauncey Hampton, following a big pass play from Russell to Summers, allowed the Wildcats to knot the game at 35-all on the ensuing possession.
The two teams each scored again before the end of regulation as they entered the first overtime tied at 42.
The Spartans struck on their opening possession of the first OT, using just three plays before Terrell Johnson scampered in from 16 yards out to give NSU a 49-42 edge. B-CU answered in just two plays as Russell ran in from six yards out to match the score at 49.
Jesus Cortez missed a 47-yard field goal on the second B-CU possession, but the Spartans failed to take advantage and secure the win. B-CU defensive lineman Dennis King raced in from the right side to block a Norfolk State field goal attempt by Antonio Gomez from 25 yards away.
In the third overtime, the Spartans immediately pushed ahead, 55-49, with Jones scoring on a 15-yard run, but the mandatory two-point conversion attempt was no good on a Monte' Allen rush attempt. B-CU answered when P.J. Smith smashed ahead from the one yard line. The two-point conversion failed, and the score remained knotted at 55 heading into the fourth overtime.
The Maroon and Gold took advantage of its possession with a seven-play drive that ended when Jimmie Russell rushed in around the left corner on the option-keeper. Russell added a pass to Eric Weems that put the Cats up 63-55.
Norfolk State scored a touchdown on its possession after six plays, using Daryl Jones' third rushing touchdown of the game – and the second of the overtime sessions – to bring them within two points. The two-point conversion attempt came as close as it could to send the game to a fifth OT. Brandon Brooks took the rush and tried to get in on the left side, but B-CU defensive back Bobbie Williams came in from is safety spot to make the hit and hold Brooks inches away from the end zone, solidifying the 63-61 B-CU win.
WEDNESDAY: #WildcatWINSday…
Champions and legends are created yearly at Bethune-Cookman. Each Wednesday, we'll highlight a special championship team throughout the rich history of the B-CU football program. Fans are encouraged to tell us their favorite moments from that particular season/team through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please use the hashtag #WildcatWINSday when Tweeting and we'll retweet those winning moments.
Be sure to interact with us on all social media channels. Fans are encouraged to follow @BCUathletics on Twitter, @BCUathletics on Instagram, and “Like” BCUathletics on Facebook to enter their daily submissions for participation. Fans should also follow BCUathletics on Pinterest for that special tailgating recipe yet to be discovered by the rest of the world.
In addition, Bethune-Cookman recently announced the official social media directory for the department of athletics. CLICK HERE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTORY. All 17 sports teams at Bethune-Cookman have a unique twitter handle, and fans are encouraged to follow the student-athletes and coaches of those teams as each will have special tweets, photos and information unique to that program.
Bethune-Cookman is #NeverSatisfied.
-www.BCUathletics.com-
