HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – During a rainy afternoon in stormy Huntsville, Alabama, the Wildcats were unable to overcome four turnovers, including two interceptions and two lost fumbles, losing to Alabama A&M, 55-17, at Louis Crews Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs scored 38 points in the second half alone, dominating on the ground to the tune of 335 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 1-1) got the start it was hoping for on defense, forcing a quick three-and-out and good starting field position for its offense. But, Alabama A&M (5-2, 2-1) was able to force a punt of its own, giving its offense the chance to strike first.
The Bulldogs got the offense going on their second drive. After two strong runs by Byron Perrilliat, quarterback Cornelious Bass IV found Jarel Williams for a 56-yard gain down to the B-CU six yard-line. Perrilliat then punched it in for a score, giving AAMU a 7-0 lead.
On the Wildcats' second drive, Tyler Jefferson was stripped of the football by Keith Green inside his own territory and recovered by the Bulldogs. AAMU was unable to cash in though, as B-CU forced three straight incompletions and a punt.
After another Bethune-Cookman punt, the Wildcats' forced a turnover of their own. Keontae Byas picked off Bass at the B-CU 45 and ran it 20 yards into AAMU territory.
Jefferson and Rashon Brown had strong runs to put the Wildcats inside the ten, but they were unable to get in the end zone, settling for a 26-yard Aiden Lanier field goal to make it 7-3.
Both teams then traded punts before Alabama A&M answered with another touchdown drive. The Bulldogs heavily leaned on the run to get inside the B-CU 30. A defensive pass interference call then put the ball deep in the red zone.
Bass recorded his second touchdown pass of the day on 3rd and 7, finding Williams once more to extend the lead to 14-3.
Bethune-Cookman responded with its first touchdown of the ballgame. Brown continued to find success running the football, helping his team go on a 10-play, 74-yard drive to pull within four.
The Bulldogs would push the lead back to seven just before halftime.
A 31-yard pass play from Bass to Maruice Edwards got AAMU inside Wildcat territory. The Bulldogs then were aided by a horse collar tackle penalty on a potential B-CU sack to move inside the 20. A 32-yard field goal by David Faulk made it 17-10 at the break.
The second half was completely dominated by Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats 38-7, finishing with 297 yards of offense while holding B-CU to just 94.
Bass hit the biggest play of the game on his team's first drive out of halftime. He hit Williams on a deep ball for 60-yards to give the Bulldogs a 24-10 lead.
Things would only continue to spiral from there. The Wildcats had three second-half turnovers, including interceptions by Jefferson and Joel Morris, and a fumble by Isaiah Daniel on a kickoff return.
The Bulldogs scored on six-consecutive drives, eventually closing out a 55-17 win at home.
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- The nightmare continued for the Wildcats in Alabama. Bethune-Cookman is now 0-6 against Alabama A&M and Alabama State on the road since joining the SWAC.
- The Wildcats finished with just 26 yards passing in the game.
- Rashon Brown continued his strong play for B-CU with 22 carries for 97 yards and a score.
- Stephen Sparrow led the Wildcats with 10 total tackles.
- Sadonnie Gay and Abram Fofana each had one tackle for loss. Gay also had a forced fumble.
- The Bulldogs averaged eight yards per carry.
- Cornelious Brown IV only had six completions on the day, but they went for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
Bethune-Cookman hopes to bounce back in Itta Bena next Saturday against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST.
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