Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Redshirt freshman Rashon Brown Jr. finished with an eye-popping 266 yards on the ground, carrying Bethune-Cookman to a 16-10 upset victory over preseason favorite Alabama State at Daytona Stadium.

On the opening drive, the Hornets (3-2, 1-1) picked up one first down before punting the ball inside their own territory.

The Wildcats (3-2, 1-0) responded with a strong first series, including a 39-yard run by Rashon Brown Jr. on the second play of the drive.

B-CU would drive the ball into the red zone but were forced to settle for a field goal. Aiden Lanier initially missed a 32-yard field goal, but it was nullified due to an offside penalty. Lanier then drilled his second attempt from 28 to give the Wildcats the early lead.

Back on defense, the Wildcats would force a three-and-out, capped off by a sack from Jaylen Lewis and Montravius Lloyd.

As the rain began to come down, Bethune-Cookman continued to find success in the run game. After beginning the drive in Alabama State territory, the Wildcats would methodically move the ball inside the 10. However, the Hornets were able to make another defensive stand, forcing another field goal attempt.

Lanier's 24-yard kick was good, and B-CU extended the lead to 6-0.

Following a lengthy weather delay, ASU finally began to get the offense going.

On 3^rd and 10, Aaron Frye found Jamarie Hostzclaw on a screen play that gained 27 yards. They continued to find success throwing the ball but eventually stalled out at the 20.

Andrew Abu-Akel came on for a 35-yard field goal attempt that he missed wide right. The score remained 6-0.

After multiple punt drives, the Hornets finally got on the board to end the half.

Quarterback Aaron Frye came up with multiple big runs to put his team in field-goal range. Abu-Akel then converted from 34 yards out to make it 6-3.

The Wildcats immediately began the third quarter with a big play, as Rashon Brown ripped off a 41-yard run into ASU territory.

But the Hornets defense quickly came up with a big play, intercepting Tyler Jefferson at the 21-yard line.

After forcing another punt, Bethune-Cookman got back into Hornet territory. And this time, the Wildcats were able to punch the ball in the end zone.

Jefferson came up with a couple key throws, a 13-yarder to Willie Anderson and one to Kobe Stewart for 17 to keep the drive going. Brown Jr. then finished out the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run to extend the B-CU lead to 13-3.

The Wildcat defense continued to shut down the Hornets offense. Luwon Lurry Jr. sacked Frye on third down to force yet another punt.

Rashon Brown then continued to carry the load for the B-CU offense. He picked up a 47-yard run to eclipse the 200-yard total on the day to put the Cats back in scoring position.

ASU was able to hold B-CU out of the endzone, forcing another Lanier field goal. The Wildcats' lead was pushed to 16-3.

The Hornets answered on the very next play. Nehemiah Hixon took the kickoff return 65 yards to the B-CU 33. From there, Bama State quickly found the end zone.

Frye rushed the ball 17 yards to the one-yard line. Two players later, Hostzclaw punched it in to make it a one-score game.

The Hornets then had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. They drove the ball down to the B-CU 19, but the Wildcats held them to a fourth down attempt.

On fourth and one, Frye could not handle the snap and recovered the ball short of the line to gain.

The Wildcats were forced to punt again, giving the Hornets one last chance. But on the first play of the drive, Frye fumbled the ball on his own, and Tre Rigby recovered to seal the win for B-CU.

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• Rashon Brown finished with 31 carries for 266 yards, accounting for 69% of B-CU's total yardage.
• Brown's 266 yards puts him in the top 10 all-time in single game rushing yard performances.
• Aiden Lanier finished three-for-three on field goal attempts.
• Naim Lassiter led the Wildcats with nine tackles.
• Bethune-Cookman had seven tackles for loss and two sacks.
• The Wildcats overcame seven penalties for 80 yards.
• Mitchell Robinson Jr. picked up 12 tackles and a sack for the Hornets.
• Jamarie Hostzclaw led ASU offensively with 76 yards and a score.

Bethune-Cookman heads back on the road for the first time in over a month. The Wildcats will head to Hunstville next Saturday to play Alabama A&M, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. EST.


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