DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –  For the first time in program history, Bethune-Cookman football will take the field against Stetson, with the Wildcats welcoming the Hatters to Daytona Stadium for their 2026 home opener Saturday night.

The Volusia county showdown is set for 4 p.m. EST. The game will be streamed live on SWAC TV and will be available to listen for free on YouTube.com/CatEyeNetwork and BCUAthletics.com/Radio.



Saturday, September 12
Opponent:  Stetson (1-1, 0-0 PFL)
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://www.ticketmaster.com/bethune-cookman-university-football-vs-stetson-daytona-beach-florida-09-12-2026/event/2200643BB83C466A



UCF got off to a fast start and never looked back. The Knights scored 21 points in the first quarter, including a score on a pick six by Jayden Williams.

The Wildcats struggled to find answers on offense, generating just 58 total yards in the opening frame.

Momentum remained with the Knights in the second as they scored 21 points while holding B-CU without a score again.

The Wildcats had a chance to put some points at the end of the half following an Jaden Davis interception, but they were unable to cash in. Penalties proved especially costly, with B-CU compiling nine total for 48 yards during the first two quarters.

The Knights continued to control the game in the second half, piling up 560 total yards and 73 points in the game. Bethune-Cookman finally got on the board with just two seconds remaining as freshman Joel Morris found Kobe Stewart in the back of the endzone for the touchdown.



The Stetson Hatters are 1-1 on the season and are coming off a recent win over Webber International in the team's home opener. Stetson was chosen to finish 10th out of 11 teams in the Pioneer Football League preseason poll.

Through two games, the Hatters rank third in the PFL with seven touchdowns and fourth with a scoring average of 26.0 points per game. They are averaging 382.5 yards per contest, including a 500-yard performance last week.

The starting quarterback for Stetson is junior Thomas Von Grote. The North Texas transfer has completed 36 of 50 passes (72% complete percentage) for 413 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, the Hatters are allowing 406.5 yards and 40.0 points per game. They have been especially vulnerable against the run, allowing 266.0 yards rushing per contest, placing them last in the PFL.



HOME HEAVY
The Wildcats will stick to friendly confines of Daytona Stadium for four straight games. The home opener is set for September 12 against Volusia County neighbor, Stetson, followed by a homecoming 
matchup with Virginia - Lynchburg. B-CU wraps up its first homestand by hosting defending Celebration Bowl champions, South Carolina State, and SWAC preseason favorite Alabama State. B-CU will have only two home games remaining following their first homestand. 

SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND
Despite sharing International Speedway Boulevard for over 100 years, Bethune-Cookman and Stetson have never faced off on a gridiron prior to Saturday's contest. The Hatters program played its first snaps in 1901 until the program was dissolved in 1956. The Green and White revived the football program in 2013 and will face the Wildcats for the first time in program history.

TURNING A CORNER
B-CU heads into the fourth season in the Raymond Woodie Jr. era in search of their first winning season since joining the SWAC, and first since 2019. The Wildcats head into 2026 fresh off their best season since defecting from the MEAC at 6-6 and 5-3 in conference play. Following a thrilling 38-34 win in the 2025 Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Cats will look to improve on their third-place finish in the SWAC's East Division a year ago.


Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter and Instagram (@BCUGridiron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics) and www.bcuathletics.com.