Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman rushed for a season-best 412 yards and four touchdowns Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats defeated visiting Alabama A&M, 31-14 at Daytona Stadium in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football contest. The game served as "Senior Appreciation Day" for the Wildcats where they paid tribute to a total of 22 seniors from game operations, CatEye Network, sports medicine and football combined.
 
Three Wildcats recorded 100 yards or more rushing on the day, led by Walter Simmons III with a game-high 165.
 
Alabama A&M (4-6, 2-5) led 14-7 at the half.
 
Bethune-Cookman (3-7, 2-5 SWAC) cut into the lead midway through the third quarter off the strength of a four-play drive, culminating in a 27-yard field goal from Cade Hechter. The Wildcats trailed 14-10 with 1:55 remaining in the period.
 
The Cats would outscore the Bulldogs 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
 
Alabama A&M punter Austin McCready placed a kick inside the one-yard line, leaving BCU to drive 99 yards for the potential go-ahead score. Eight plays later, running back Mar'Kai Shaw took a Walter Simmons III handoff up the middle racing 52 yards to the end zone. The extra point from Hechter was good, allowing the Maroon and Gold to take a 17-14 lead. On the drive, the Cats ran seven of eight plays, including four runs from Robinson.
 
The Bulldogs were forced into a three-and-out on the next drive, as the BCU defense upped the intensity throughout the final 30 minutes.
 
On the ensuing BCU drive, the Wildcats went 80 yards for the score on another eight-play drive that took 4:06 off the clock.
 
Walter Simmons – having entered the game behind center in the first half after an injury to starting quarterback Tylik Bethea, scampered 47 yards on a quarterback keeper for a touchdown. Earlier on the drive, Robinson took a handoff around the right side for 18 yards.
 
Omari Hill-Robinson stepped in front of a Quincy Casey pass at the AAMU 48-yard line for what was the AAMU quarterback's second interception of the afternoon. It would take just three plays for Simmons to tack on his second score of the day with a 22-yard rush right up the middle to extend the Wildcats lead, 31-14.
 
Alabama A&M opened the game's scoring following one of BCU's three fumbles in the game. Casey quickly responded with a 19-yard touchdown strike down the middle to Cameron Young for the 7-0 advantage – following the extra point from Victoria Barbosa.
 
One play into the second quarter, backup quarterback Xavier Lankford accepted the snap and rushed left into the end zone untouched for the 14-0 Bulldogs lead.
 
BCU immediately answered with a long drive (10 plays) with the Wildcats going 62 yards to halve the deficit. A heavy dose of Simmons and Robinson concluded with Simmons charging up the middle for the score and bringing the hosts into the game at 14-7.
 
AAMU was led on the day by Casey with 57 yards rushing, while teammate Donovan Eaglin finished with 42 yards on the ground. Casey would complete the day 17 of 31 passing for 171 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Cameron Young was the leading receiver with six receptions for 68 yards and a score.
 
The Bulldogs defense was headlined by Jordan Mitchell with 14 tackles (seven solo) and Kaleb Dawson with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
 
BCU looked towards Simmons with 165 yards rushing and three scores. Robinson had 137 yards rushing, while teammate Shaw had 109 yards on the ground with a touchdown of his own. Seven different receivers hauled in a catch in the game, including two apiece from Omari Stewart and Nebanye Moore.
 
The defense of the Wildcats used nine tackles from Dearis Thomas with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Joshua Thornhill had eight tackles, a quarterback sack and an interception.
 
Bethune-Cookman finishes the 2023 season 3-1 at home inside Daytona Stadium with back-to-back wins over Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M, respectively.
 
The Cats finish up the 2023 campaign Saturday, Nov. 18, when facing in-state foe Florida A&M at Camping World Stadium in the Florida Blue Florida Classic in Orlando, Florida. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
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