DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 12th-ranked Bethune-Cookman Wildcats will face their second Football Bowl Subdivision opponent of the 2014 season this weekend, traveling to nearby Orlando for a matchup with the University of Central Florida Knights. The game will be televised on ESPN3, with kickoff slated for 6 p.m., inside Bright House Networks Stadium.
No. 12/12 Bethune-Cookman at UCF
Sept. 20, 2014 | 6 p.m.
Bright House Networks Stadium | Orlando, Fla.
WELE Radio | WSOS Radio | WSIR Radio | ESPN3
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Bethune-Cookman 2-0 (0-0 MEAC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats | Game Notes
UCF 0-2 (0-0 AMERICAN)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats | Game Notes
The Game
Bethune-Cookman faces its second FBS opponent of the 2014 campaign this weekend, taking on a familiar foe in the form of UCF. This is the second time in as many years that B-CU is facing two FBS opponents in the same schedule year. The Wildcats are looking to keep their two-game winning streak intact, while the UCF Knights – champions of the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, are looking to snap a two-game skid in their 2014 home-opener.
The Series
The UCF Knights own a 10-5 advantage in the series with Bethune-Cookman. B-CU took the first four games from 1981-84, but the Knights have rolled off six consecutive wins, respectively. The two teams have not met since 1995, when both were members of the former I-AA division. However, the two schools played annually from 1981 until 1995.
The Broadcasts
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app on all mobile devices. Drew Fellios will handle the play-by-play, while former Florida State Seminole Forrest Conoly will serve as the analyst. Tiffany Greene will be on the sidelines.
The game will also be carried live on the CatEye Network via three radio stations (WELE 1380, WSIR and WSOS) and the CatEye Network (online) with Joe LaBarbera (play-by-play) and Larry Wesley (analyst). Terrance Gatling will provide sideline coverage.
The Coach
Head coach Brian Jenkins is now two games into his fifth season as a head coach of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats this weekend. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native owns a career record of 39-11, with all games taking place at the helm in Daytona Beach.
The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Daytona Beach – 82/70. Orlando – 82/72 (50% chance of storms).
Wildcats in the Polls
Bethune-Cookman enters the game ranked No. 12 in both The Sports Network and FCS Coaches poll, jumping a single spot in both since last week.
#5THINGS
1. Bethune-Cookman is looking to end a six-game losing skid against UCF, in the first game played against the Knights since they made the move up to the FBS.
2. For the third time in the last four years, B-CU is playing two games in the city of Orlando.
3. Bethune-Cookman's run defense is now ranked second-best nationally, allowing just 45 yards rushing per game.
4. The Wildcats have scored two or more times on the ground in nine of the last 11 contests.
5. Bethune-Cookman has never beaten two FBS opponents in the same year.
#SACKLUNCH
Through the first two games of the 2014 season, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats have registered nine quarterback sacks by three different players, averaging 4.5 sacks per game. Last season, the Wildcats recorded 26 sacks by 11 different players in 13 games (an average of 2.0 per game).
COACHING CONTINUITY
An often overlooked facet of Bethune- Cookman's run of success has been the continuity of its coaching staff. Fifth-year head coach Brian Jenkins is supported by several assistants who have served in at least three-of-four seasons with him on staff. These coaches include Charles “Yogi” Jones (Defensive Coordinator), Earl Lane (Defensive Line), Lawal McCray (Tight Ends), John Powers (Offensive Line), Jim Pry (Offensive Coordinator), Terry Sims (Safeties) and Terry Williams (Defensive Backs).
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
Sophomore wide receiver Frank Brown has quickly become a possession guy for the Wildcats. He leads all B-CU receivers with 101 yards and a touchdown on just four receptions. Last season, Brown saw limited action on special teams for the Wildcats, but did not record a statistic. Brown's first collegiate reception was a 55-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quentin Williams in the victory at FIU.
#THATSRICH
Senior defensive end LeBranden Richardson entered the 2014 season listed on the Preseason All-MEAC Team after finishing tied for second in total tackles on the Wildcats squad in 2013, registering 64 (31 solo). Richardson led the Cats with 14.5 tackles for loss, including amassing a second-best 4.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
The 2014, Bethune-Cookman is 33-10 in regular season, out-of-conference contests, earning notable victories against the likes of Alabama State, FIU (x2) and Tennessee State. During that stretch, the Wildcats are 7-2 against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), including winning the last four consecutive against the fellow HBCU Division I conference.
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