BCU Takes on Alabama A&M in Final Home Game - Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman looks to carry over the momentum from their first SWAC win last week into their final home game as they face the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The game will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. at Daytona Stadium.

Saturday, Nov. 11
Opponent: Alabama A&M (4-5, 2-4 SWAC)
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Live Stats: https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Watch: https://hbcugo.tv/
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Tylik Bethea finished 12 of 18 passing in helping lead Bethune-Cookman past visiting Mississippi Valley State, 20-7 last Thursday night. Bethune-Cookman opened its account scoring in the opening quarter. After Mississippi Valley State was denied on a fourth down conversion attempt, the Wildcats took just two plays to capitalize with a 41-yard touchdown strike through the air from Mar'Kai Shaw out of the running back position when he connected with Tink Boyd to put the Cats up 7-0 following the Cade Hechter extra point. BCU led 7-0 with 7:27 left in the first quarter. The Cats went up 14-0 at the start of the second quarter. Omari Hill-Robinson stepped in front of a Ty'Jarian Williams pass at the MVSU 47 yard line to put BCU in the Delta Devils half just moments before the close of the first stanza. After Tylik Bethea connected with Jalen Brown for a 14-yard strike down to the Mississippi Valley State 17 yard line, Shaw followed with a nine yard rush up the middle inside the Delta Devils 10. Boyd hauled in a Bethea strike across the middle in the back of the end zone for the touchdown to add to the Wildcats lead. The lead became 17-0 following a nine-play drive that spanned 77 yards, culminating with a 20-yard field goal from Hechter with 3:36 remaining in the opening half. That's where the score would remain at the half as the two teams parted for the locker room. A nine-play, 60-yard drive saw the Delta Devils open the second half with a touchdown. A host of DePhabian Fant rushes led to a Jared Wilson one yard plunge up the middle followed by the extra point from Alexander Davis to bring the visitors to within 17-7. Another BCU interception, this time by Darnell Deas, and returned 49 yards down to the MVSU 11 yard line set the Cats up with another scoring opportunity. Four plays later, Hechter connected on a 21-yard field goal to advance the Maroon and Gold advantage at 20-7. MVSU was led by Jared Wilson's 55 yards rushing, as well as quarterback Jaydyn Sisk passing for 174 yards on 9 of 16 through the air. Jaxson Davis hauled in five receptions for 92 yards. The defense for the Delta Devils was headlined by Omar Emmons with nine tackles. BCU was sparked by the play of Bethea with 136 yards on 12 of 18 passing and a touchdown in going the distance under center. Jimmie Robinson III added 61 yards on 19 carries. Boyd finished with four catches for 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The defense of the Wildcats was sparked by the play of Dearis Thomas with 11 tackles. Ja'Bari Jaudon, Iverson Clement, Stephen Sparrow and Conroy Cunningham each delivered seven tackles apiece.

Alabama A&M enters this matchup with BCU at 4-5, with a 2-4 record in SWAC play. The Bulldogs are currently on a two game losing streak, losing to Alabama State and Florida A&M in consecutive weeks following their bye.

Alabama A&M is 1-3 on the road this season, with the one win coming against Grambling State on Oct. 14.

The Bulldogs have the top offense in the SWAC, averaging 31.3 points per game. Two quarterbacks have taken multiple starts for the Bulldogs. Xavier Lankford has made eight appearances, throwing for 902 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns (five rushing, eight passing). Quincy cases has appeared in five games with 1149 yards and nine passing touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. Cameron Young leads the team in receiving yards (411) while Jacolby Hewitt leads the team in touchdown receptions (4).

The Bulldogs are led in rushing by Donovan Eaglin, who has 103 carries for 492 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Both Ryan Morrow and Xavier Lankford have made significant contributions in the running game as well with 393 and 290 rushing yards respectively.

Defensively, Alabama A&M is eight in the SWAC, allowing slightly under 28 points a contest. They have allowed over 30 points in consecutive weeks. The Bulldogs leading tackler is Marvin Smith. Jordan Mitchell leads the team in sacks (3.0) while Zareon Hayes has picked up the most tackles-for-loss (6.5).

BCU has held their opponent to under 30 points in three consecutive games after allowing 34 in a loss to Texas Southern.

Running back Mar'Kai Shaw threw a 41 yard touchdown pass last week against Mississippi Valley State. It was Shaw's first appearance of the year, and it was the longest play from scrimmage for the Wildcats.

Dearis Thomas is fourth in the SWAC in tackles with 82. He finished with 11 last week while also creating a tackle-for-loss.

Alabama A&M is the only team in the SWAC who is under .500 and also has a positive point differential (+33).

A win on Saturday and the Wildcats would finish over .500 at home for the season.

This will mark the 18th meeting all-time between these two programs. Bethune-Cookman holds the advantage with an 11-6-1 record against the Bulldogs. However, Alabama A&M has won the previous four matchups, including last season.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter and Instagram (@BCUGridiron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics) and www.bcuathletics.com.

--#HailWildcats—

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BCU Takes on Alabama A&M in Final Home Game
November 10, 2023

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BCU Takes on Alabama A&M in Final Home Game November 10, 2023

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BCU Takes on Alabama A&M in Final Home Game
November 10, 2023