DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The home opener arrives for Bethune-Cookman football as they host Division II Edward Waters at Daytona Stadium on Saturday, September 20 at 3 p.m.

Fans attending the game can view expectations, regulations, and best gameday practices at the official B-CU Gameday Central.  

Game day festivities include recognition for the Bethune-Cookman Hall of Fame Class of 2025, an appearance by B-CU President, Dr. Albert Mosley, the annual Freshman Run, and a ring ceremony for 2025 SWAC Champions, B-CU Baseball.

The game will be streamed live on HBCU Go. Fans can listen to B-CU's coverage of the game live for free at YouTube.com/CatEyeNetwork, BCUAthletics.com/Radio.



Saturday, September 20
Opponent:  Edward Waters (3-0, 2-0 SIAC)
Time: 3 p.m. EST
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. | Daytona Municipal Stadium
Watch: HBCU GO | HBCU GO
Listen: Youtube.com/CatEyeNetwork / BCUAthletics.com/Radio
Live Stats: https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=bethune-cookman



Bethune-Cookman Football scored 28 points in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as the Wildcats fell 55-41 on the road to South Carolina State Saturday evening at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
 
After falling behind 27-0 in the second quarter, Bethune-Cookman (0-3) turned to redshirt senior quarterback Cam'Ron Ransom off the bench, as the Lakeland, Florida native engineered the Wildcats' first touchdown of the season on the strength of a 17-play drive that spanned 75 yards taking 8:24 off the clock. Ransom's pass was complete to Rickie Shaw II down to the two yard line, before Ransom then took it in himself for the score.
 
The extra point from Juan Dominguez made it 27-6.
 
The Wildcats chipped away at the lead on the other side of halftime after a couple of completions to Shaw from Ransom advanced the Cats inside the South Carolina State 20 yard line on the first possession of the second half for B-CU. Ransom then connected with Myles Morales down the middle for a 19-yard scoring strike. However, the PAT from Dominguez was missed, and the score stood at 27-13.
 
South Carolina State (2-1) responded to the Wildcats score with a nine-play, 67-yard drive capped off by quarterback Ryan Stubblefield's 13-yard touchdown run around the left side to push his side's advantage back to 34-13 with under 7:50 remaining in the third quarter.
 
A controversial call occurred on B-CU's ensuing possession as Ransom helped orchestrate the offense back down the field, but was ruled to have fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback after appearing to be down before the ball came out of his hands. The replay confirmed the call, and S.C. State wasted little time capitalizing on the Wildcats second big mistake of the game, as Stubblefield drove the Bulldogs down the field 80 yards in seven plays using short passes to Jordan Smith and Deyandre Ruffin. The Bulldogs eventually scored the touchdown via a Stubblefield to Smith connection to make it 41-13 following the Elliot Janish extra point.
 
Bethune-Cookman answered in just three plays when Ransom linked up with Maleek Huggins for a 52-yard scoring strike through the air, and bringing the Cats to within 41-20 early-on in the final period.
 
The first three-and-out for the Wildcats defense in the second half allowed the Maroon and Gold march back down the field with Ransom rushing up the middle on a quarterback keeper for the score. Following the PAT, B-CU trailed 41-27 with 9:01 remaining.
 
Three plays later, the Bulldogs' Mason Pickett-Hicks escaped the secondary and broke free for a 69-yard rushing score to vault the SCSU lead up to 48-27.
 
Once again, B-CU would respond when Lorenzo Jenkins hauled in a Ransom pass over the shoulder in the back of the end zone for the score. That made it 48-34.
 
After SCSU added another late score, the Wildcats added one more touchdown – their fourth of the fourth stanza alone, courtesy Ransom's pass to Huggins for 35 yards, producing the final 55-41 score line.
 
South Carolina State opened the game scoring 24 opening quarter points.
 
Already leading 14-0, the Bulldogs defense forced a fumble of B-CU starting quarterback Timmy McClain as Harp scooped up the fumble and returned it four yards for the score, putting SCSU up 21-0 with less than five minutes remaining in the opening period.
 
South Carolina State's Stubblefield finished the night 21-for-35 passing for 286 yards and a touchdown. He would add two rushing touchdowns and 31 yards on the ground. Smith finished with nine receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown of his own. The Bulldogs defense was headlined by Roderick Kelly with 10 tackles.
 
Bethune-Cookman's offense used a 20 of 30 passing performance from Ransom, finishing the night with a game-high 302 yards and four touchdowns through the air. He added 89 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. Receivers Huggins (8 rec., 148 yds) and Shaw (4 rec., 50 yds) led the team in receiving yards. The defense was sparked by Antwone Watts with seven tackles and a pass breakup.



Edward Waters is off to a perfect 3-0 start on the season for the first time since 1964, with wins over Savannah State, Miles, and DII No. 13 Virginia Union. 

Following the departure of Toriano Morgan prior to the start of the season, former Bethune-Cookman head man Brian Jenkins was named interim head coach for the Tigers. Edward Waters removed the interim tag in a press conference Friday morning. Jenkins led the Wildcats from 2010 through 2014, compiling a 46-16 record with three appearances in the FCS playoffs.

As for Jenkins' Tigers, Edward Waters has led the SIAC offensively through the first three games of the season, averaging 42.7 points per game with 16 touchdowns. They have the leagues best passing offense at 258.3 yards per game with eight passing scores and no picks behind former Southern quarterback Noah Bodden. Bodden missed the 2024 matchup with Bethune-Cookman in Baton Rouge, but has enjoyed a strong start with six passing touchdowns and a league-high 729 passing yards. 

Running back Johhntarrious Thomas has been one of the SIAC's best rushers, posting nearly six yards per carry with three rushing scores.

Defensively, the Tigers rank middle of the SIAC pack in points alllowed at 22 per game, but Edward Waters has limited opponents to only 245 yards of offense per game - the second-best mark in the league. The Tigers have the best passing defense in the conference at 133 yards per game, while sitting fifth in average rushing yards allowed at 112 per game.

Defensive Lineman Antonio Henley leads the conference in tackles for loss at nine on the year in only two games played along with two fumbles recovered. Defensive end Jamari Pierre leads the league in fumbles forced with a pair. 



IN THE HALL
On Friday night, Bethune-Cookman honors the 2025 class of its Hall of Fame. The first class inducted since 2018 features three former football players - K Manny Manolas, LB Randy Straghn, and RB Randy "Sweetback" Walker. B-CU also inducts its first ever team into the hall - the 1923 Football Team - the first team ever fielded at the university. Full info on honorees is available at BCUAthletics.com/HOF25

HOME SWEET DAYTONA STADIUM
Saturday's meeting with Edward Waters finally marks the home opener after three straight road games to open the year. The Wildcats can get comfortable, however, as five of their next six games will be played in the friendly confines of Daytona Stadium. Between now and November 8, the Wildcats have only one game on the road - an October 4 contest at Alabama State.

TURNAROUND TIME
With SWAC play only one week away, the Wildcats are in search of winning conference season for the first time since 2019, and their first since joining the SWAC in 2021. B-CU has never won more than two conference games since making the switch over from the MEAC.

SUPERCAM
Coming in in relief of starter Timmy McClain against South Carolina State, senior QB Cam Ransom did everything on offense for the Wildcats, contributing to all six touchdowns against the Bulldogs. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 302 yards and four touch downs. Additionally, he rushed for 89 yards and two scores. Each stat marks a career-high - save for passing yards (He passed for 382 against Clark Atlan ta in 2024).

KICKING IT
Redshirt Junior Kicker Juan Dominguez has been perfect in his first four field goal attempts at B-CU with a long of 35. He becomes the first Wildcat to connect on his first four kicks in a season since Xavier McDonald made five straight to open the 2019 season - McDonald made only six field goals that season and did not make his fourth until the seventh game of the year.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
41 points scored against South Carolina State is the most the Wildcats have scored under head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. It is the most the team has scored in a game since the Cats fell to Prairie View A&M, 58-48 on Oct. 29, 2022.

PICK ME
Through three games, the Wildcats have yet to record an interception on defense. It is the longest the Wildcats have gone without a pick to open a season since 2021, when the Cats did not record one against UTEP, UCF, and AAMU. That is also the last time the Wildcats have gone through any three-game period without an interception. B-CU finished with six picks as a team in 2021.

RING ME
During the 2025 Home Opener, Bethune-Cookman will honor the 2025 Baseball team with SWAC Champion ship rings. The 2025 Wildcats finished the season 37-23 with a perfect 4-0 run in the SWAC tournament, capped off by a 11-9 walkoff win against Florida A&M in the championship game.



Saturday marks the 23rd meeting between B-CU and EWU. The Wildcats own a 14-5-3 advantage in the series and have won seven straight dating back to 1944. The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 70-10 beatdown by the Wildcats back in 2010. 


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