DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In the inaugural football matchup between Bethune-Cookman and Stetson, it was the Wildcats who came out on top, with a convincing 43-18 victory at Daytona Municipal Stadium. B-CU never trailed after the first quarter and outscored the Hatters 29-8 in the second half to pick up its first win of the season.
After a turnover on downs for each team to begin the game, it was the Hatters (1-3) who got on the board first. Quarterback Thomas von Grote found receiver Landon Farco down the sideline for a 31-yard gain, setting up the Hatters inside the Bethune-Cookman 30. Trey Hess then converted on a 40-yard field goal to make it 3-0.
The Wildcats (2-1) quickly answered on their next possession. Tre Rigby provided B-CU with excellent field position with a 73-yard kickoff return down to the Stetson 9-yard line. Three straight carries from Rashon Brown moved the Wildcats into the end zone, with Brown finishing the short drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Ryder Goodwin's extra point gave B-CU a 7-3 advantage with 5:00 remaining in the opening quarter.
Stetson's next possession ended in a punt, and the Wildcats took advantage by putting together an 11-play, 58-yard scoring drive that carried into the second quarter. Brown once again broke through for his second touchdown of the night, an 8-yard run that extended the Wildcats' lead to 14-3 with 13:53 remaining in the first half.
The Hatters had an opportunity to respond later in the quarter after driving deep into Bethune-Cookman territory. Stetson moved all the way to the B-CU 10-yard line, but the Wildcats' defense came up with a sack on fourth down to end the threat and preserve the 11-point advantage.
Stetson continued to pressure the Wildcats late in the half, however, putting together a 51-yard drive after a B-CU punt. Troy Flowers accounted for a pair of key runs on the possession, including a 10-yard gain that moved the Hatters inside the B-CU 5-yard line. Flowers then finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with 1:02 remaining, cutting the Wildcats' lead to 14-10.
Rigby opened the second half with another strong kickoff return, taking the ball 30 yards to the Stetson 48-yard line. Brown then broke loose for a 15-yard gain to move the Wildcats into Hatters territory before B-CU converted a fourth down with a 6-yard completion from Tyler Jefferson to Willie Anderson. Two more completions to Tarell Short Jr. moved the Wildcats inside the Stetson 5-yard line, setting up Brown's third touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run. Goodwin's extra point made it 21-10 with 11:55 remaining in the third quarter.
The Wildcats' defense then kept Stetson from gaining any momentum, forcing three consecutive punts during the remainder of the third quarter. B-CU entered the fourth quarter with a 21-10 lead before the offense exploded for 22 points in the final period.
The first of those scores came just 53 seconds into the fourth quarter. Amari Jones took over at quarterback and connected with Josh Evans for a 45-yard touchdown. Goodwin's extra point pushed the B-CU lead to 28-10.
After the Wildcats' defense forced another Stetson punt, B-CU drove 28 yards in seven plays to set up Goodwin for a 28-yard field goal. The kick gave the Wildcats a 31-10 advantage with 10:14 remaining.
Stetson attempted to answer on its next possession but turned the ball over on downs at its own 19-yard line. B-CU needed just three plays to capitalize, as Isaiah Daniel carried the ball three consecutive times for 19 yards, finishing the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Wildcats ahead 37-10 with 8:25 remaining.
The Hatters answered with their best offensive possession of the fourth quarter. Von Grote connected with Wyatt Rogers for a 34-yard completion to move Stetson into B-CU territory before finding Farco for a 27-yard touchdown with 6:50 remaining. Rogers then completed the two-point conversion pass to cut the deficit to 37-18.
Stetson attempted an onside kick following the touchdown, but the Wildcats recovered and eventually forced another punt. The Hatters got one final possession after the punt and appeared to be driving before Myron Shafer III intercepted von Grote at the Stetson 31-yard line.
B-CU took over with 3:20 remaining and closed out the victory on the ground. Daniel carried the ball four times for 26 yards on the final scoring drive, including a 12-yard touchdown run on the final play of the game to cap the 43-18 victory.
.
- Bethune-Cookman rushed for 150 net yards and five touchdowns.
- Rashon Brown and Isaiah Daniel carried the load for the Wildcats offensively. Brown finished with 12 carries for 60 yards and 3 TDs while Daniel had nine carries for 46 yards and two scores.
- Tyler Jefferson and Amari Jones each saw action at quarterback. Jefferson went nine for 18 for 78 yards while Jones completed seven of 10 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.
- Josh Evans was the Wildcats leading receiver with three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.
- Willie Anderson finished with seven catches in the contest..
- Bethune-Cookman recorded four sacks and eight tackles for loss, including one from former Hatter Abram Fofana.
- Myron Schafer III and Lewon Lurry Jr. each recorded interceptions.
- Tre Rigby totaled 103 kickoff-return yards, including a 73-yard return.
- Bethune-Cookman went 3-for-4 on fourth down.
- The Wildcats were 6-for-6 in the red zone.
- Bethune-Cookman scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on X/Twitter (
@BCUGridIron) for all the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on X/Twitter (
@BCUathletics), Instagram (
@BCU_Athletics) and
BCUathletics.com.
