DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – With just 34 seconds remaining,
Tyler Jefferson found
Rickie Shaw II in the right corner of the endzone for the game-winning score in a wild 24-20 victory for Bethune-Cookman over #22 Jackson State at Daytona Stadium.
JSU had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but Andrew Ivaniciuic's 49-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left, giving B-CU one of its biggest wins since joining the SWAC.
The Wildcats now find themselves in a tie for first in the East Division at 3-1 with four games remaining.
The game got off to a slow start offensively for both teams, with Bethune-Cookman (5-3, 3-1) punting on its first two drives.
Jackson State (6-2, 3-2) managed to drive inside the red zone, but a sack and a tackle for loss from the Wildcats forced them to settle for a field goal attempt. Andrew Ivaniciuc could not convert from 41-yards, and it remained 0-0.
B-CU was gifted outstanding field position on the Tigers' following drive. Jackson State's Kye Collins couldn't handle the snap on a fourth-down punt attempt, with Naim Lassiter coming up with the tackle at the JSU 21.
The Wildcats immediately took advantage, with Tyler Jefferson finding Josh Evans for a 21-yard score, giving B-CU the early lead.
Jackson State continued to struggle on the next drive, as quarterback Jared Lockhart lost nine yards on another fumbled snap and five yards on a sack by Isaiah Washburn.
Bethune-Cookman then extended the lead on a 55-yard scoring drive. Rashon Brown ran for a 33-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 in the first.
Washburn and Stephen Sparrow Jr. combined for a big play early in the second quarter. Sparrow generated a sack fumble while Washburn recovered deep in JSU territory.
But, the Tigers' defense held strong this time, picking up a tackle for loss and a sack of Jefferson to force a quick three-and-out.
After two more punts, Jackson State finally got on the board. Lockhart threw a short pass to Nate Rembert that he ran 43 yards for a score to cut the deficit to 14-7.
B-CU responded though, with a field goal drive just before halftime. Tre Rigby took the kickoff 42 yards to the BCU 47, while Jefferson ran for 32 yards to get the Cats in field goal range. Aiden Lanier drilled it from 23 yards to extend the lead to ten.
The third quarter began with two punts before Jackson State once again made it a one-score game. The Tigers' began the drive with good field position inside Wildcat territory and took advantage with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Jones.
Later in the third, the Wildcats drove deep inside Tiger territory, but could not convert on a 4th-and-1. Micah Gay made the stop for JSU.
Neither offenses could get anything going as crunch time grew closer. And with 3:00 remaining, disaster struck for Bethune-Cookman's special teams unit.
On a punt formation, the ball was snapped over Isaac Gallagher-Cheetham's head, forcing him to kick the ball out of the back of the endzone to avoid a touchdown. However, the resulting penalty gave the Tigers the ball at the goal line. Li'Darious Pryor quickly punched it in to give Jackson State its first lead of the game.
With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats came up with the biggest drive of the season. Deanwar Johnson came up with a big 36-yard run to put them inside enemy territory
Then on 3rd and 11 at the 19, Jefferson scrambled and found Rickie Shaw II for the to give B-CU a 24-21 lead with just 34 seconds remaining.
The Tigers had a chance to tie the game, as Lockhart hit multiple big passing plays, including one on fourth down, to put JSU in field goal range. But Ivaniciuc missed his second field goal of the day, this time from 49 yards, giving the Wildcats the upset win.
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- This was the Wildcats' first win over a ranked FCS opponent since the 2019 Florida Classic.
- Saturday's win was B-CU's first over Jackson State since joining the SWAC.
- Bethune-Cookman has now started SWAC play 3-0 in back-to-back seasons.
- Tyler Jefferson finished with 113 passing yards and three touchdowns, both season-highs.
- The Wildcats held the Tigers to a ridiculous 0.9 yards per carry (36 carries for 33 yards).
- B-CU recorded four sacks and ten tackles for loss.
- Deanwar Johnson's 81 rushing yards were a career-high for the redshirt freshman.
- Stephen Sparrow Jr.'s 11 tackles were also a career-high for the longtime Wildcat.
- Bethune-Cookman is now 2-0 in one-score games.
The Wildcats will head to Pine Bluff to take on UAPB as they look to hold on to first place. The Halloween showdown begins at 3 p.m. EST.
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