NORFOLK, Va. (AP) –
Akevious Williams and
Cameron Rigby ran for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the second quarter and Bethune-Cookman held on to defeat Norfolk State by a count of 21-14 on Saturday for its first victory of the 2016 season. Additionally, the win was the 10th of second-year head coach
Terry Sims' career at the helm in Daytona Beach.
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"I'm, first and foremost, proud of these guys for sticking in there and fighting for this win," said Sims afterwards. "We've had a rough year; a lot of adversity. But they didn't let it get to them. We have constantly been preparing, and today they put an entire game together, and I couldn't be more proud of the team and my coaching staff."
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Williams scored on a 5-yard run early in the second quarter and Rigby's 11-yard run capped a 10-play, 59-yard drive for the Wildcats (1-5, 1-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). The win was the third consecutive for Bethune-Cookman over Norfolk State, and the third consecutive of its kind in Virginia.
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Redshirt junior quarterback
Larry Brihm, Jr. and classmate wide receiver
Jawill Davis hooked up on a 39-yard touchdown for the Wildcats in the first quarter, but the Spartans (1-6, 0-4 MEAC) quickly responded as quarterback Greg Hankerson scampered 43 yards to tie it at 7-7.
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Norfolk State scored on Quintreil Chung's 4-yard run early in the fourth quarter, capping an 81-yard drive. That was set up when Sandy Chapman intercepted Williams on a trick play after B-CU reached the red zone.
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The Spartans next drive ended on downs near midfield, but a
Jonathan Cagle interception – as the redshirt senior punter tried to throw the ball away following a bobbled snap from center – allowed the Spartans to get the ball.
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Norfolk State reached the Wildcats' 22 yard line, but then lost the ball on downs again.
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Brihm lead the Wildcats offense with 138 yards and a touchdown through the air, connecting on 9-of-19 passing. Davis, tight end
Ja-Quan Lumas and receiver
Keavon Mitchell were each targeted for two receptions from Brihm and Williams, respectfully.
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For the first time all season, Bethune-Cookman used a heavy two-quarterback system with Brihm and Williams.
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"I can't say enough about both of the quarterbacks today," added Sims. "Larry [Brihm] is still not 100 percent, but he went out and we started him today. He played a great football game. He managed the game. More importantly, he allowed our offensive guys, our skill guys to make plays for him.
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"When we needed a change of pace, we put Akevious [Williams] into the game. He did the same thing as far as managing the game. Those guys prepared all week together, and both were ready whenever their number was called."
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Safety turned outside linebacker
Alexander Morales collected a career-high seven tackles (five assisted), adding a tackle behind the line, to lead the Maroon and Gold defense. Safeties
Diquan Richardson and
Arthur Williams each tallied six.
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Bethune-Cookman returns home next weekend when the Wildcats welcome Delaware State to Municipal Stadium on a B-CU Homecoming weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida. The game begins at 4 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 29.
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