DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. is set to host his first Homecoming as the Wildcats welcome in Texas Southern in search of their first SWAC win of the season, Saturday, Oct. 14 at Daytona Stadium.

The game will be broadcast live on HBCUGo.tv. Fans can also listen to the game live at Youtube.com/Cateyenetwork.

For those attending the game, please consult the flyer below:





Saturday, Oct. 14
Opponent: Texas Southern (1-4, 0-2 SWAC)
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Live Stats: https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Watch: https://hbcugo.tv/
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/cateyenetwork



After both defenses forced punts to open the contest, Alabama State (2-3, 1-2 SWAC) capitalized on a short B-CU punt to open the scoring with a 24-yard field goal.

Bethune-Cookman (1-4, 0-2 SWAC) immediately answered as Dacarri Allen-Johnson took the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to midfield. Eight plays later, Jimmie Robinson punched in a seven-yard touchdown run - his first of the season - to make it 7-3, B-CU. 

With seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Hornets fell short on a fourth-and-four try from the B-CU 22 to end the scoring chance. 

The Wildcats threatened again with just over 12 minutes before halftime, but a bad snap on a Cade Hechter field goal attempt led to a block by Colton Adams.

On the very next drive, the Hornets again drove into B-CU territory after nearly nine minutes off the game clock, and again were stuffed on a fourth down attempt to turn the ball over on downs. 

Alabama State came out hot out of the halftime break. A 47-yard pass and a 37-yard pass set the Hornets up for a one-yard touchdown run. The Hornets took a 9-7 lead as Eddie Walls III got a hand on the PAT.

The Hornets padded their lead to 16-7 on their next drive, taking the ball 95 yards on 11 plays, capped off by a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Alabama State opened the fourth quarter with another score, this time pushing a field goal through the uprights with 14 minutes remaining to make it 19-7.

The Wildcats made it interesting again 14-play, 70-yard drive for a touchdown. Quarterback Walter Simmons found Jalen Brown for the receiving touchdown to make it 19-14.

The Hornets took over with just four minutes remaining looking to run out the clock. Just three plays into the drive, following a Hornets timeout, Wildcats corner Stephen Sparrow picked off a Damatrius Davis pass at the Alabama State 22, returining it to the ten yardline to set up first-and-goal for the Wildcats.

After a four-yard loss on a sack of Simmons, a four-yard Robinson rush, and an incomplete pass, the Wildcats were set up for a fourth-and-goal attempt for the win. Simmons pass sailed high as the Hornets held on for the 19-14 victory.



Texas Southern is 1-4 to start the season, including 0-2 in SWAC play. 

Texas Southern's defense has been nothing short of pourous this season, taking losses of 71-3 at Toledo and 59-7 at Rice. The Tigers' defense ranks near the bottom of all FCS programs in multiple categories. They allow an average of 41 points per game, scoring only 23 points per game.

The Tigers are quarterbacked by Jace Wilson after the injury to starter Andrew Body. Through four games, Wilson has completed 47 of 88 pass attempts for 508 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick. 



NO FREE YARDS
Through five games, the Wildcats have been penalized only 21 times for 154 yards - an average of 30.80 pentalty yards per game. B-CU ranks first in all of FCS football in fewest penalty yards per game, beating out the next closest team by three yards.

The Wildcats rank 11th in all of FCS football in fewest total penalties, 10th in fewest penalties per game, and 3rd in fewest total penalty yards.

For comparison, here are B-CU's rankings from the 2022 season: Fewest Penalties: 119th of 122 Fewest Penalties per game: 122 of 123 Fewest Penalty Yards: 116 of 123 Fewest Penalty YPG: 119 of 123

HALF THE BATTLE
After leading, 8-6, at halftime at Jackson State and 7-3 at the break against Alabama State, the Wildcats have now led at the, half in six conference games since joining the SWAC. B-CU is 2-4 in those games.

DEFENSE ON THREE
The Wildcats defense has been one of the best units in the country on third down through five games. Opponents convert on third down only 30% of the time against B-CU, the 10th best mark in all of FCS football.

BALLPLAYERS COME IN ALL SIZES
Dacarri Allen-Johnson, the shortest player listed on the B-CU roster at 5-7, is the only receiver to record multiple receptions in every game for the Wildcats this season. He leads the Wildcats in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns



Saturday marks the 8th meeting all-time between Texas Southern and Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats hold a 6-2 advantage in the series, including a perfect 3-0 record at home. 

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