DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman football is 1-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play for the first time in program history as they defeated Alabama A&M, 41-34, Saturday evening at Daytona Municipal Stadium. 


 
In the absence of usual starting quarterback Cornelius Brown, backup Eric Handley converted on a pair of third downs as the Bulldogs (3-2, 0-1 SWAC) stormed down to the B-CU 33. A Wildcat (2-3, 1-0 SWAC) sack and pass breakup set up a third-and-long before Handley scrambled to the 22.

A false start made a 4^th-and-2 a 4^th-and-7, forcing a field goal attempt for the Bulldogs. The first kick of the collegiate career of David Faulk sailed through the uprights to put the Bulldogs up 3-0.

That lead didn't last long as Cam Ransom took a deep shot to Javon Ross on B-CU's very first play from scrimmage. He took it 79 yards to the house to put B-CU on top, 7-0.

The B-CU defense held firm on the ensuing drive as a costly hands to the face penalty backed AAMU out of field goal range.

The Bulldogs grabbed some momentum back with an interception of Ransom at their 40-yard line. A 40-yard rush on third down set the Bulldogs up within the 10. Kolton Nero punched things in for AAMU to put them on top again, 10-7.

Just after the start of the second quarter, the Wildcats punched back. The Javon Ross show continued as he took a handoff from Ransom 41 yards into the endzone to make it a 14-10 game after a seven-play, 83-yard drive. It marks the first rushing touchdown in the career of Ross.

The furious back-and-forth continued as the B-CU defense forced a fumble just past midfield – Antwone Watts knocked the ball free from Nero before Naim Lassiter jumped on it to give the Cats possession early in the second quarter. B-CU could not turn it into points as Ransom was intercepted again deep into AAMU territory.

Yet another explosive play – this time for the Bulldogs, saw the visitors retake the lead at 17-14 on 72-yard touchdown pass to Frank Pierre.

A lengthy B-CU drive saw the Cats hold the ball for over six minutes, working 14 plays for 83 yards capped off by a Khamani Robinson 24-yard rushing score to make it 20-17 after a missed PAT.

Just eight seconds of game action later saw Gabe White intercept the first pass of the drive for AAMU, giving B-CU one more chance to add to the lead before the half with just over a minute to play.  
 
B-CU did just that, as Ransom found Rickie Shaw II on a 27-yard dime to send the Wildcats to the half with a 10-point lead at 27-17.
 
Alabama A&M recovered a bit after the break, forcing a quick B-CU punt and driving down the field to pull to within three at 27-24.

After Timmy McClain entered at QB for B-CU following a brief exit from the banged-up Ransom, Lorenzo Jenkins hauled in an excellent reaching grab, setting up Alihaja Scott Jr. for a rushing score to make it a ten-point lead once again for B-CU at 34-24.

The Bulldog offense continued to push back, answering yet again on third down with another touchdown as Handley found the tight end Travaunta Abner for the score to pull to within 34-31.

After a Bulldog drive that nearly ended in a fumble and an interception, AAMU converted on two fourth downs to get within the B-CU 10. A redzone stand saw the Cats stuff the Bulldogs at the two, forcing a field goal attempt that tied things at 34-34.  

The B-CU run game led the way as the Cats made their way down to near the AAMU 30 at the two-minute timeout. B-CU took the lead with a minute remaining as Ransom pitched it to Scott Jr. for the rushing score to make it 41-34.

The Bulldogs pushed towards midfield, facing a third and long at their own 45 with just 18 seconds to play. An incomplete pass brought up fourth down with 13 to go. Handley found a receiver at the B-CU 26 to give AAMU one last shot with six seconds left. Johnny Harris III broke up the final pass of the game to ice things at 41-34.

• Cam Ransom finished the game 17-24 for 217 yards, two scores, and two picks. He also rushed for 69 yards on eight attempts. 
• Khamani Robinson led the rushing game with 78 yards on 15 rushes and a score.
• Ali Scott rushed four times for 36 yards and two scores.
• In addition to his first receiving touchdown at the collegiate level, Javon Ross also notched his first collegiate rushing touchdown. He topped 100 yards with 108 on five catches. 
• Lorenzo Jenkins caught five passes for 75 yards. 
• Antwone Watts led B-CU in tackles with 13 along with the forced fumble and a pass breakup. 

The Wildcats head back out on the road next week as they take on Alabama State on Saturday, October 4 at 3 p.m. EST in Montgomery, Ala. 

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