GAME CENTRAL
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-8, 2-5 SWAC)
Vs.
Florida A&M (8-2, 6-1 SWAC)
TIME: 3:30 p.m. ET, Nov. 120 2021
LOCATION: Orlando, Fla. / Camping World Stadium
TICKETS: CLICK HERE
LIVE STREAM: https://plus.espn.com/
LIVE STATS: https://stats.floridaclassic.org
WILDCATS ROSTER: https://bcuathletics.com/sports/football/roster
WILDCATS SCHEDULE: https://bcuathletics.com/sports/football/schedule
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HASHTAGS: #OnTheRise | #BEATFAMUX10 | #FINISH I #PreyEatRepeat
Orlando, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman takes on in-state rival the Rattlers of Florida A&M University in the Florida Blue Florida Classic. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 at 3:30 p.m. EST. The Wildcats enter this weekend riding some momentum after wins against Alcorn State and Grambling State.
NOTES:
Kemari Averett has caught at least two passes in all 10 games and has scored a touchdown in eight.
Omari Hill-Robinson has an interception in the last two games.
Jimmie Robinson III's 3 touchdown game against Grambling was B-CU's first since the other Jimmie Robinson scored three against Morgan State in 2019.
Grambling's 14 points and 186 total yards were season lows for a B-CU opponent this season
B-CU has scored double figures against FCS opponents in 23 straight games. Tennessee State held BCU to three in 2018.
LEADERS
Untareo Johnson 1st tackles (9.5 per game)
Caleb Sutherland 11th in sacks (.45 per game)
Omari Hill-Robinson 3rd in interceptions (.3 per game)
Que'Shaun Byrd 7th in rushing (68.1 ypg)
4th in KO Returns (25.0)
2nd in APY (126.0)
Darnell Deas 2nd in KO Returns (28.1)
Shannon Patrick 9th in passing efficiency (111.9)
11th in total offense (141.3)
Kemari Averett 4th in receiving (81.2 ypg)
8th in scoring (4.8 ppg)
15th in AYG (81.2 ypg)
Jimmie Robinson 15th in scoring (3.6 ppg)
Ben Lennon 2nd in punting (42.7)
Coaching Records Vs. Florida A&M
COACH YEARS W-L
Leon James 5 1923-27 1-2
Buck Hunt 1 1928 0-0
T.E. Morris 6 1929-35 0-3-1
Bill Exum 4 1936-39 0-0
Preston Peterson 3 1940-42 0-0
Joseph Johnson 3 1944-46 0-0
Bunky Matthews 13 1947-59 1-9
Raymon Thornton 1 1960 0-1
Jack "Cy" 15 1961-72 1-14
McClairen 1994-96
Wesley Moore 3 1973-75 2-1
Andy Hinson 3 1976-78 1-2
Bobby Frazier 4 1979-82 2-2
Larry Little 9 1983-91 2-5
Sylvester Collins 1+ 1992-93 1-0
Tyrone McGriff -1993 0-1
Alvin Wyatt Sr. 13 1997-09 4-9
Brian Jenkins 5 2010-14 4-1
Terry Sims 5 2015-19 5-0
24-50-1
No. Date Location Winner Score
1 1925 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 23–0
2 1926 Daytona Beach, FL Bethune–Cookman 12–0
3 1927 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 12–6
4 1929 Unknown Tie 6–6
5 1930 Unknown Florida A&M 32–0
6 1931 Unknown Florida A&M 32–0
7 1932 Unknown Florida A&M 25–0
8 1947 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 6–0
9 1950 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 32–7
10 1951 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 26–13
11 1952 Daytona Beach, FL Bethune–Cookman 8–7
12 1953 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 39–7
13 1955 Jacksonville, FL Florida A&M 32–0
14 1956 Jacksonville, FL Florida A&M 54–6
15 1957 Jacksonville, FL Florida A&M 45–6
16 1958 Jacksonville, FL Florida A&M 29–0
17 1959 Jacksonville, FL Florida A&M 68–6
18 1960 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 97–0
19 1961 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 76–0
20 1962 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 52–6
21 1963 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 38–14
22 1964 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 31–14
23 1965 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 47–8
24 1966 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 37–13
25 1967 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 30–6
26 1968 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 23–20
27 1969 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 60–15
28 1970 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 20–9
29 1971 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 33–20
30 1972 Daytona Beach, FL Florida A&M 28–18
31 1973 Tallahassee, FL Bethune–Cookman 21–13
32 1974 Daytona Beach, FL (DIS) Bethune–Cookman 6–0
33 1975 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 17–7
34 1976 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 34–0
35 1977 Tallahassee, FL Florida A&M 14–7
CLASSIC ERA
36 1978 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 27–17
37 1979 Tampa, FL Bethune–Cookman 25–20
38 1980 Tampa, FL Bethune–Cookman 16–14
39 1981 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 29–0
40 1982 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 29–14
41 1985 Tampa, FL Bethune–Cookman 31–27
42 1986 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 16–6
43 1987 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 21–10
44 1988 Tampa, FL Bethune–Cookman 25–0
45 1989 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 30–7
46 1990 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 42–20
47 1991 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 46–28
48 1992 Tampa, FL Bethune–Cookman 35–21
49 1993 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 27–22
50 1994 Tampa, FL Bethune–Cookman 27–24
51 1995 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 43–0
52 1996 Tampa, FL Florida A&M 41–7
53 1997 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 52–35
54 1998 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 50–14
55 1999 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 63–14
56 2000 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 31–28
57 2001 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 31–21
58 2002 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 37–10
59 2003 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 39–35
60 2004 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 58–52
61 2005 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 26–23
62 2006 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 35–21
63 2007 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 34–7
64 2008 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 58–35
65 2009 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 42–6
66 2010 Orlando, FL Florida A&M 38–27
67 2011 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 26–16
68 2012 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 21–16
69 2013 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 29–10
70 2014 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 18–17
71 2015 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 35–14
72 2016 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 39–19
73 2017 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 29–24
74 2018 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 33–19
75 2019 Orlando, FL Bethune–Cookman 31–27
Series: Florida A&M leads 50-24-1
NINE GAME WINNING STREAK
2019- Isaac Washington ran for a touchdown late in the game that gave Bethune-Cookman a 31-27 win.
The Wildcats trailed 27-24 late in the fourth quarter when Akevious Williams engineered a nine-play, 69-yard drive and Washington capped it with a 15-yard scoring run to give Bethune-Cookman a 31-27 edge with 2:14 left. After the kickoff, Devin James intercepted FAMU's Ryan Stanley to seal the win.
Williams had 269 yards and a score passing for the Wildcats. Washington ran for 104 yards and Trevor Merritt had a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown.
2018-- Tydarius Peters had two fourth-quarter interceptions, including a pick-6 with 17 seconds remaining, to help Bethune-Cookman hold off Florida A&M for a 33-19 victory.
Ryan Stanley's 9-yard touchdown pass to George Webb gave the Rattlers a 19-17 lead, but Vernon Walker III blocked the ensuing PAT and ran it back to the other end zone to tie the game at 19 with 37 seconds left in the third quarter.
Jabari Dunham's 5-yard touchdown run gave Bethune-Cookman a 26-19 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Peters picked off a Stanley pass on the Rattlers next possession, but Florida A&M forced a three-and-out. Stanley led a 10-play drive to the BCU 11 before throwing his second pick of the game to Peters, who scored to seal it for the Wildcats.
Tupac Isme ran for 107 yards and just five carries, including a 99-yard score, for the Wildcats.
2017 -- Bethune-Cookman ran for three fourth-quarter touchdowns -- on three consecutive drives -- and the Wildcats rallied for a 29-24 victory.
Bethune-Cookman trailed 24-10 just six seconds into the fourth quarter after Florida A&M's Devin Bowers ran it in from the 8-yard line to cap a six-play drive.
But the Wildcats mounted the comeback when Larry Brihm Jr. directed a 9-play, 52-yard drive that ended with his 5-yard TD run to cut the deficit to 24-17 with 11:27 left to play.
After the Rattlers turned the ball over on downs at their own 32-yard line, Bethune-Cookman used five plays to get in the end zone on a 4-yard run by Michael Jones. Uriel Hernandez had his extra-point attempt blocked, leaving the Wildcats trailing 24-23. After forcing a three-and-out, Bethune-Cookman took over at its 22-yard line with 5:44 left to play. Jamaruz Thompkins ran twice for 21 yards to open the drive and Brihm Jr. capped the 13-play sequence that ate 4:29 off the clock with a game-winning 2-yard TD run.
The Rattlers' last shot at a victory ended when Diquan Richardson intercepted a Ryan Stanley pass with 36 seconds left.
Brihm finished with 280 yards passing and a score for the Wildcats.
2016-- Larry Brihm Jr. and Akevious Williams teamed up to lead Bethune-Cookman to a 39-19 win.
Brihm was 21 of 27 for 270 yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats. He left the game with an ankle injury at the end of the third quarter and was replaced by Williams, who added touchdown runs of 11 and 44 yards.
Jamaruz Thompkins ran for two touchdowns, helping Bethune-Cookman roll up 419 yards of total offense.
2015-- Quentin Williams threw for three touchdowns and ran for another on Saturday to help Bethune-Cookman beat Florida A&M 35-14 and earn a share of its fourth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season championship. The Wildcats (9-2, 7-1) shared the MEAC title with North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T.
Anthony Jordan had 108 yards rushing and a touchdown. Jawill Davis had six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown and Michael Jones had two TD catches.
2014- Brihm ran in a two-point conversion in overtime to lead his Wildcats to a razor-thin 18-17 victory in the newly refurbished Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.
With Florida A&M leading 17-10 on Damien Fleming's 13-yard scoring strike to Kareem Smith on their first overtime possession, and the Wildcats facing a fourth and 12 from the 27-yard line, Brihm connected with Jhomo Gordon, who sliced through the Rattler defense down to the one-yard line to set up Danny Dillard's one-yard plunge to pull his club within one point.
Brihm then took the shotgun snap and ran in from two yards out for the game-winning points.
The game's dramatic, sudden death ending couldn't have been forecast at the start, as the two archrivals were locked in a first half defensive duel that produced the first scoreless half in game history.
2013- Quentin Williams and Isidore Jackson each rushed for two touchdowns as the Wildcats downed the Rattlers 29-10 in front of an announced crowd of 45,321.
The Wildcats earned a share of the conference championship and clinched an automatic berth to the FCS playoffs
2012--The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats overcame a resilient Florida A&M team 21-16 after forcing a fumble in the waning moments.
Wildcat running back Isidore Jackson received the B-CU MVP award, finishing with 77 yards rushing and a touchdown on 13 carries and 41 yards receiving.
2011 --Anthony Jordan rushed for two touchdowns to ignite Bethune-Cookman to a 26-16 triumph.
The Rattlers, who led 3-0 after the first quarter, damaged their chances of winning a fourth straight Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic by committing five turnovers and yielding a safety. The Rattlers managed only 58 yards rushing.
It's a rivalry game. Our biggest one. Theirs too. Big games come down to big plays, and the Florida Blue Florida Classic is no exception. Here's our list of great Florida Classic plays, and we're giving Wildcat Nation a chance to complete the list.
SUBER TO WEEMS (2003)
Down 28-10 at halftime and 35-25 in the fourth quarter, Bethune-Cookman's improbable comeback ended when Allen Suber hit Eric Weems in the right corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown with 9 seconds remaining. The win gave the Wildcats a second straight berth in the FCS playoffs. What made it more dramatic: An incomplete fourth down pass by punter Scott Austin with 2:21 left didn't end it – a pass interference penalty against FAMU gave the Wildcats a first down on the FAMU 45, setting up the last-second dramatics by Suber, who completed a pass for 17 yards to Jonathan Summers and ran for another 18 to set up his wining touchdown.
THE WHOLE DARN 2004 GAME
You really expect us to pick just one play from a game that had 110 points and 1,152 yards? Come on. B-CU erased deficits of 17 and 21 points and never led in regulation, taking a 58-52 win on Rodney Johnson's 15-yard overtime run after Ben Ballard recovered a fumble on the Rattler possession. Let's see: you had Jimmie Russell (426 total yards) throwing an 88-yard touchdown to Richard Woodbury, a 94-yard Kyle Herbert kickoff return for a touchdown, Ricky Williams had an 80-yard kickoff return that set up another score … you get the idea.
GO FOR TWO (2014)
Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M made the first game in the refurbished Camping World Stadium one to remember thanks to a gutsy decision and Larry Brihm's execution. After a scoreless first half and a 10-10 regulation tie, Florida A&M took a 17-10 lead in overtime. Brihm kept the Wildcats' drive alive with a fourth-down completion, then Danny Dillard scored a 1-yard touchdown. Going for the win, B-CU lined up in an unconventional formation, Brihm took the snap and rushed to his left, barreling into the end zone to lift the Wildcats to an 18-17 win.
RASHEAN'S KICK SIX (2000)
Rashean Mathis wouldn't get his Florida Classic victory until 2002 – the year he led the Wildcats to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship – but he'll tell you his greatest play in the Florida Classic, if not his all-time greatest play as a Wildcat, came in 2000 when he returned a missed FAMU field goal 100 yards for a touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 28-25 lead. FAMU won the game 31-28, putting Rashean's kick six in the forgotten file. If a guy who goes on to an NFL career says it's his greatest play and pulled it off 13 years before Auburn's Chris Davis made it famous, who are we to argue?
DANIELS ON THE DRAW (1992)
The 1992 team went into the Florida Classic at Tampa Stadium with only a 3-7 record and wasn't given much of a chance. After a 7-7 deadlock in the first quarter, a B-CC team that started the season 0-6 played its best 15 minutes of the season and reeled off 21 points in the second quarter, the dagger coming on a third down draw that Daniels turned into a long touchdown. Daniels finished the day with three scores as the Wildcats held on for a 35-21 victory.
CY GETS HIS… FINALLY (1994)
Tony Kerrin connected with Morris Nobles on a 2-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead with 47 seconds remaining as Cy McClairen earned his first victory over the Rattlers as the head coach.
CAMERON RIGBY MAKES A PLAY (2017)
There was a Brihm naked bootleg for the game winning touchdown and a Diquan Richardson interception in the waning moments of this 29-24 victory but Cameron Rigby made perhaps the game's biggest play when he stuffed the Florida A&M punter on a fake early in the fourth quarter. B-CU used the play to help erase a 24-10 deficit and extend the winning streak.
COAST TO COAST (2018)
FAMU had taken a 13-7 lead at halftime but B-CU responded with the longest play from scrimmage in school history – and matching the longest play in Florida Classic history from scrimmage as well.
Backed to its own one-yard line, B-CU gets the play gets one block from Jonathon Thomas and just like that, it's 14-13. It was one of several big plays the Wildcats produced in the second half – Vernon Walker III's blocked PAT return and two Tydarius Peters picks, the second for a game-sealing touchdown.
ON THIS DAY (11/20) #1
1948 d. Bishop College (Tx) 13-6 "Tilt Of The Maroon and Gold" in Tampa.
1976 d. FAMU 34-0 (Orlando)
2004 d. FAMU 58-52
