Oct. 29, 2011
Reach Football Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details - 386.481.2278
Final Stats
DURHAM, N.C. - The Wildcats came away with a big win on the North Carolina Central Homecoming, Saturday in Durham. On an extremely chilly North Carolina Saturday, the Wildcats put away all doubts that the team from Florida might struggle in that 'football weather'. The sun came out during the final notes of the national anthem, and B-CU's rushing attack shined in getting to work early against the Eagles.
After being stopped on the first drive, the Wildcats, a team which had scored on five first possessions in 20111, weren't about to get stopped twice, causing an NCCU three-and-out and then quarterback Jackie Wilson and running back Isidore Jackson combined to set up the first B-CU score. The Wildcats chugged down the field on a nine-play, 73 yard drive in the second possession, ending in a three-yard touchdown by Anthony Jordan on the first attempt.
After forcing an NCCU punt on the ensuing possession, the 'Cats took over at their own 1, but Isidore Jackson got them out of the shadow of the goalpost with a 37-yard run, followed up with a 42 yard reception by KJ Stroud and rush of 14 by Wilson to end the quarter on the 2. Jordan quickly ended the 99-yard drive, five seconds into the second period with the second TD for the B-CU touchdown maker.
The Eagles countered with an extended 70-yard of their own, but Dion Hanks ended it at the B-CU three with a key breakup in the endzone on fourth and three.
The Wildcats drove 90 off the turnover on downs, but a fumble, B-CU's only turnover on the day, cost them their third straight scoring possession.
B-CU regained possession at the NCCU 45 with 1:18 on the clock and moved down the field with ease by Wilson passes to Jared Mitchell (10), Eddie Poole (17), and Patrick Harris (15) to set up a three-yard Wilson read-option keeper for the TD with 28.2 seconds remaining, which make it a 20-0 lead at the half.
Jean Fanor forced an Idreis Augustus fumble on the second play of the new half, giving B-CU an opportunity, which they capitalized upon, converting a 39-yard drive in four plays, capped by Harris, who used a solid KJ Stroud block to get the 11-yard TD reception at the front corner of the endzone.
NCCU responded with a 52-yard drive to the redzone, but again the 'Cats made the stop, with Fanor snagging the interception in the endzone. B-CU charged 80 yards in eight plays, wrapping up with a 26-yard touchdown by Rodney Scott.
B-CU held a shutout into the fourth quarter on the back of a solid non-breaking defense, but NCCU finally scored early in the fourth quarter, on a drive that almost never was, extended on a called back 65-yard Hanks interception. The PAT, however, was blocked
The score remained locked through the end of regulation, as B-CU's younger players saw the field and B-CU rotated through two additional quarterbacks.
The Wildcats racked up 525 yards of total offense, including 333 on the ground, with just a single turnover, to bring back a 34-6 win over the Eagles.
“Our guys operated the scheme that they were coached to do and were successful at it,” said Head Coach Brian Jenkins of the win. “The main thing is we were careful with the football and that was a positive factor in the game, and that's why we were effective offensively.”
Quarterback Jackie Wilson led the offense with nine carries for 113 yards rushing, while also taking care of the aerial attack with 12-of-15 passing for 183 yards.
However, Wilson notes it is not his effort alone that earned the win, “We put in all the work throughout the week, had a good scouting report and executed it. I'm proud of the win, we deserve it.”
After rushing for 356 yards over the past two weeks, Isidore Jackson remained strong on the ground, putting up 106 yards on 12 rushes.
Eddie Poole led all receivers, extending his reception streak to 20 games with four catches for 38 yards. Patrick Harris and Maurice Francois each caught two passes for 26 and 22 yards respectively.
Defensively DJ Howard topped the 'Cats with eight tackles, three solo, while Jean Fanor finished with six stops, one for loss, an interception and a forced fumble.
The next game for the Wildcats is Homecoming, a matchup against a tough Morgan State squad which is currently in the top tier of the MEAC.
“Every game is important, and the Morgan State game is just as important as all the other games,” said Jenkins. “We've got to move on to a good Morgan State team that's near the top of the conference and playing really well, so we've definitely got to go back home and start preparing for another good football game.”
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