DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –  The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are finally ready for SWAC play as they close out their four-game homestand against Alabama State at Daytona Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on SWAC TV.



Saturday, October 3rd
Opponent: Alabama State (3-1, 1-0 SWAC)
Time: 4 p.m. EST
Location: Daytona Beach, FL | Daytona Municipal Stadium
Watch: https://tv.swac.org
Listen: https://wele1380thecat.com/ / Youtube.com/CatEyeNetwork / BCUAthletics.com/Radio
Live Stats: https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Tickets: https://ticketmaster.com/bethune-cookman-university-football-vs-alabama-daytona-beach-florida-10-03-2026/evetn/2200643BB84D4674

South Carolina State got out of the gates fast, beginning the game with a six play 69-yard touchdown drive that took just 2:17 to take an early 7-0 lead. A 25-yard completion from Keely Watson to Jahzae Kimbrough set SCSU up inside the Wildcat 10, with Josh Shaw able to punch it in from four yards out.

Bethune-Cookman (2-2) quickly responded with a touchdown drive of its own. On third and two, the Wildcats went with a quarterback draw for Tyler Jefferson, who showcased his speed with a 63-yard scamper to the house.

The early offense continued on SCSU's second drive. Mason Pickett-Hicks ran for 41 yards to the B-CU 31. Watson then found Troy Hillman in the end zone for his second touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs back in front.

The offense slowed for the following ten minutes, with both teams exchanging multiple punts. The Bulldogs would finally add to their lead with 5:12 remaining in the half. Watson threw his third touchdown pass of the night, a 32-yard strike to Darius Thompson, to make it 21-7.

SCSU then forced another punt after a sack by Ka'Von Chisholm before putting together a field goal drive just before halftime. Mason Pickett-Hicks recorded a 32-yard run, setting his team up for a 28-yard attempt by Jett Jackson. The kick was good and the Bulldogs led 24-7 at the end of the half.

The Wildcats began the second half with another punt. SCSU then drove the ball into B-CU territory, but the drive stalled at the 34 yard line. Jackson was then unable to convert on a 52-yard field goal attempt.

B-CU took advantage of the good field position with another quick touchdown drive. The big play came from Rashon Brown, who took a handoff for 45 yards to paydirt. SCSU's lead shrank to 24-14.

On the following drive, it was B-CU's defense that came up with the big play. Sadonnie Gay came up with a sack fumble that was recovered by Timothy Gulley at the SCSU 45.

The Wildcats would take advantage, succesfully converting a trick play to continue the comeback. Isaiah Daniel took a backwards pass from Jefferson and found a wide open Josh Evans for 35-yard touchdown pass. B-CU now trailed by just three.

In the fourth quarter, both offenses struggled to move the ball. The Wildcats had multiple opportunities to take the lead, but the Bulldogs' defense stood tall to force multiple punts.

South Carolina State finally came up with a scoring drive late in the fourth to put the game on ice. On the first play of the drive, Tyler Smith ran for 55 yards to the B-CU 30. They continued to run the ball with success, until Josh Shaw finally punched it in on 4th and goal from the one to extend the lead to 31-21 with 1:50 remaining.

The Wildcats did not have enough time to answer, as Bulldogs were able to hang on for the victory.

The Alabama State Hornets will pose a significant challenge for the Wildcats in their SWAC opener. ASU was chosen to finish first in the SWAC's East Division, earning 16 out of 24 first place votes.

Thus far, the Hornets are 3-1 overall and are coming off a dominant 41-15 victory over Mississippi Valley State for their first SWAC victory. However, they also own a 30-17 neutral site win over Southern that does not count toward their conference record.

Despite their strong record, ASU have struggled out of the gate offensively overall. The Hornets currently rank 10th in the SWAC in yards per game, averaging 277.0 per contest.

Led by Preseason Player of the Year Andrew Body, the passing game is producing 140.5 yards per game with just four touchdowns. And despite nine rushing touchdowns, the Hornets rushing attack is averaging just 3.9 yards per rush (8th) and 136.5 yards per game (9th).

Defensively though, Alabama State has been excellent in the early going. The Hornets sit third in the league in yards allowed per game (296.0) and have been especially stout against the pass, ranking first in passing yards allowed (149.5) and third in quarterback sacks (12).

Bama State has received production from across its defensive personnel. Ten players have recorded at least one sack, with sophomore Eldridge Shelton leading the way with 2.0.



RUNNING WILD
The first four games of the 2026 season have been largely decided in the run game. Offensively, B-CU has fielded one of the best ground games in the country, raking eighth nationally and first in the SWAC at nearly 225 yards rushing per game. The rush defense has been a different story, with the Wildcats surrendering over 200 yards per game on the ground, good for 100th in the nation and 10th in the SWAC. B-CU is undefeated when rushing for more yards than their opponent - winless if they are out-rushed.

RUN WILD
Freshman running back Isaiah Daniel has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2026 season, rushing for 243 yards on 35 rushes through four games with three touchdowns. He ranks 23rd nationally at the FCS level in all-purpose yards. His partner in the backfield, Rashon Brown, ranks fifth in the nation and first in the SWAC in rushing scores with seven on the year.

BIG PLAY B-CU
All-SWAC defender Isaiah Washburn has recorded five tackles for loss through only four games on the season, only one shy of the season-high for any Wildcat in 2025. He has 24 total tackles on the season with three hurries.

QB1, and 2, and 3
Through four games, three different Wildcats have attempted at least one pass in Tyler Jefferson, Amari Jones, and Joel Morris (Isaiah Daniel recorded a passing touchdown on a trick play against South Carolina State). B-CU has not featured three passers in five consecutive games since 2016, when Larry Brihm Jr., Akevious Williams, and Arthur Williams were all in the fold.



The Wildcats and Hornets are dead even with nine wins each in the all-time series. But, Alabama State has gotten the better of B-CU since the latter joined the SWAC, winning all five meetings including two at Daytona Stadium.


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