ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Takeaways from Saturday's day-long excursion to see Bethune-Cookman beat South Carolina State 28-26 for its third straight win.

1) Trevor Merritt did something Saturday that Rashean Mathis never did. Or Nick Collins. And maybe even Alvin Wyatt.

With that 42-yard first quarter pick six, Merritt registered an interception return for a touchdown for the second straight game and it's believed that's first time in school history a Wildcat has pulled off that feat.
Heck, the entire defensive unit has gone seasons without touchdowns – the last time the defense has had consecutive pick six games was 2013 with Erik Williams Nick Addison against Virginia Union and Tim Burke against and here's Merritt doing it all by himself.

2) While Merritt was in uncharted territory, Kennedy Ndukwe ventured into rarely seen regions with that PAT return for two points. Just two other Wildcats have pulled off the play – Collins being one of them with the first-ever against Alabama State in 2003 and Ben Ballard against Morgan State in 2007.

3) As much of a downer it is that Que'shaun Byrd is done for the season, let's enjoy what Jimmy Robinson does every time he touches the ball. Ridiculous stat: his 37.4 yard average on kickoff returns is second only to Alvin…Bernard…"Shine" … You can't keep him quiet … Wyatt's 39.2 clip in 1969.

4) Want to know the importance of finishing a play?  Two times when a B-CU offsides gave South Carolina State a free play, the Bulldogs capitalized for a combined 86 yards and getting into the Wildcat red zone twice. Both led to scores.

5) You thought winning last year's game without an offensive touchdown was weird? Well, this marked the second straight year we've beaten South Carolina State with them scoring more touchdowns (four) than us (three). I'm not even going to try to look up that one.

6) But for the record, we went 114 minutes and 36 second of game time against South Carolina State between touchdowns which extended to 121 minutes and 49 without an offensive score.

7) Thank goodness I'm not watching that game film, but if I were, I'd like to see how well the coaches are feeling about a good day of blocking all-around. There were more times of it being a matter of the running backs not reading the holes properly than the holes not being there. Props to Malique Jackson for his downfield block that allowed Akevious Williams to finish off one of his touchdowns.

8) That was a career-high 110 yards rushing for Williams, by the way.

9) Another big game for Javaunie Francis. That fourth quarter punt that pinned SC State at its own five eventually led to Uriel Hernandez' second field goal of the game.

Non-Football takes

1) Beating the U (Miami) is kind of a big deal, so let's congratulate freshman Michelle Ncube for her win over Miami's Ana Madcur in this weekend's Bedford Cup. No, we don't need to buy her a chain, but it was the tennis program's first victory over Atlantic Coast Conference  since the late Juan Varon and doubles partner Seve Day beat their Florida State competition in 2013.

2) Daniel Kiptoo posted his second runner-up finish of the season Friday at the USF Invitational and was joined by Carlin Berryhill and Xavior Walton in the top ten. If the sport just went by top three finishes instead of instead, B-CU would have won the team title. Deja Davis is also having a strong fall with her second Top Ten finish.

Road Trip Takes

1) Of course we were watching Florida A&M – North Carolina A&T.  How did we feel? We'll give you 10,000 or so reasons to feel good, as in the 10,000 or so extra tickets that final score will produce for the Florida Classic.  If the Tallahassee guys and us both run the table, Orlando's gonna be lit Nov. 17. 

2) How did we ever follow college football before God gave us watch apps on our phones?

3) It's awesome to work in South Carolina State's press box named after legendary SID Bill Hamilton, but when the pre-game meal fare is Popeye's … and we're winning … Best. Press Box. Ever!

4)  Even after all these years in this business, never underestimate the simple majestic joy of the bus stopping at McDonald's after the game.