Sixteen takeaways from a BCU Homecoming weekend that had both joy and sorrow for Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

1) How does a team put up 41 points, and yet when you look at the individual offensive stats, they're kinda, sorta unspectacular?

Here's how Bethune-Cookman did it Saturday:  The Wildcats needed just 14 plays and 118 yards to score 35 of those points, and 55 of those yards came on that nice Akevious Williams to Keavon Mitchell strike that started the 28-point second quarter onslaught.

Defense had a lot to do with that. Three picks gave the offense a starting position in the Mississippi Valley State 30, and the fourth was the Trevor Merritt touchdown. Makes it easier to do the lightning strikes.

The other seven points came on a more traditional seven-play, 58-yard march in the third quarter that was actually a good thing. MVSU had just scored and the long drive helped BCU maintain control and wear down a MVSU team that really didn't have a lot of depth.

2) When you watch the Wildcat Football Insider, take a look at the reverse and see how perfectly executed it was. Not only was Williams wide open in the corner in the end zone to catch the ball, he sold it so that the MVSU defender still had his back turned to Malique Jackson as he crossed the goal line.

3) Before Saturday, BCU hadn't registered four picks in game since a 38-26 win at Hampton in 2012.

4) That was Isaac Washington's first career touchdown? How did that happen?

5) Don't blame Terry Sims one iota for diplomatically throwing the game staff under the bus for not getting dry footballs in during that second half downpour. Game management does have an effect.

6) Props to punter Javaunie Francis for his second half boomers that flipped the field. Yes, 65- and 57- yard punts are nice, but when you're trying to put a team away, field position is your friend. Consider, other than those gift fumbles that gave the Delta Devils the ball inside the BCU 20. Francis' kicks put MVSU inside their OWN 20 to start late in the game.

7) The last time we faced MVSU, it was 1975 in the Daytona International Speedway infield. We won 21-6. Some kid named Lynn Thompson was the punter.

8)  And since we played Mississippi Valley State, I have to say "Jerry Rice" at least once. There. Quota.

9) Now for volleyball, who deserve their props after that 3-1 victory over Florida A&M Friday for two reasons: 1) The Wildcats rebounded from a disastrous road swing to start Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play and 2) IT. WAS. FLORIDA. A&M!!!!!!!!

10) Bethune-Cookman played with poise and won timely points throughout the match as they kept a chance to take the number one seed for the conference tournament alive.

11) Head Coach Brittany Williams is now 4-3 against Florida A&M. The previous five volleyball coaches were a combined 1-49. She'll like that.
 
Non-Sports Stuff

12) As great as it was to see as many people as possible, our homecoming is so big these days that you can't see EVERYONE anymore. But after a few look on Facebook and Instagram, it's nice to know we were all in the same parking lot and/or arena.

13) Don't want to hear anything about women running in high heels – when that rainstorm came, the queens made it off the field faster than the kings.

14) Bummed I didn't get to see Nick Collins again, but it was good to see the "Selfie King" Ryan Davis again, even though I'd rather see him pass-rushing for the Rams.

15) You know, it's 2018, and if you're still in your car on LPGA Boulevard at 3:45 or later…that's on you.

16) Finally and sadly, BCU Athletics took a gut punch Saturday morning. Our good friend Chris Hoch of King's Eye Media, who played a key role in making the CatEye Network what it is today, especially with the Football and Basketball Coaches' Shows, died of an aneurysm last week. He shared our vision. He shared our passion for Wildcats Athletics.  Thankful we are to have worked alongside and saddened to never be able to again. Blessings and comfort to Amanda Hoch and the family.