TAMPA - Bethune-Cookman could not muster much on offense as they dropped the 2024 season opener to USF, 48-3, Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium.



Bethune-Cookman (0-1) won the coin toss and elected to defer, quickly forcing a USF three-and-out. 

The Wildcats were unable to score on the ensuing drive, allowing USF to get on the board first with an 11-play, 82-yard drive that made it 7-0 on a 42-yard rush from quarterback Byrum Brown.

The B-CU offense continued to scuffle as USF forced an interception followed by four straight three-and-outs. The Bulls, Meanwhile, scored on back-to-back drives to jump in front 21-0.

The Wildcats held strong on the following two drives, forcing a three-and-out and an impressive turnover on downs with a goal line stand, but USF continued to put the pressure on with another rushing score that made it 28-0.

The Wildcats, unable to complete a pass attempt, made a change at quarterback as Cam'Ron Ransom took over midway through the second quarter. Random sparked some energy in the B-CU offense as the Wildcats were finally able to crack the scoreboard after a 12-play 44-yard drive capped off by a career-long 48-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining in the first half.

In the dying seconds of the half, USF answered with a 53-yard field goal of its own to go into the break up 31-3.

A slow second half saw the Bulls put up two more touchdowns and a field goal to wrap up the 48-3 victory. 

Quarterback Luke Sprague, after battling a shoulder injury for much of 2023, made his season debut late in the fourth quarter for B-CU. 

Ransom finished the game 12-19 passing with 122 yards and an interception. Sprague finished 5-8 for 37 yards.

Random was also the Wildcats' leading rusher with 25 yards on eight attempts. 

Lorenzo Jenkins led the Cats' receiving core with five receptions for 53 yards.

Defensively, Dearis Thomas led the way with eight total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. 

• For the first time under Coach Woodie, the Wildcats were unable to score a touchdown.
• Make it seven straight games for B-CU in which at least two players have attempted a pass. The last time only one Wildcat attempted a pass in a single game was Oct. 7 2023, when Walter Simmons III made the start at Alabama State

The home opener is up next for B-CU as they welcome in the Mercer Bears to Daytona Stadium this Saturday, September 7 at 3 p.m. 


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--#HailWildcats--