DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2016 MEAC/SWAC Challenge showed that there is still plenty of work to do for the Wildcats this football campaign.
 
All the possibilities and potential still remain for this season.
 
The goals of winning a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title first; followed by a victory in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta come December to claim the HBCU National title, are still intact.
 
Is it possible that we saw a preview of that game Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium between Bethune-Cookman and Alcorn State?
 
Yes!
 
These two teams could meet again in that big game for all the marbles. Of, course both must win their respective conferences.
 
Alcorn State led B-CU 13-7 with 7:14 remaining in the second quarter of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge when lightning delayed the contest for two hours and 57 minutes. After, several attempts to resume the game, officials from both schools, both conferences and ESPN called the game since lightning strikes kept occurring, with no sign of ending in sight.
 
Did it save the Braves from defeat! Maybe!
 
Did the weather save the Wildcats from defeat? Maybe!
 
We may never know….but the game was a highly anticipated match up. It was also living up to its billing at the moment.
 
Sure, B-CU wasn't able to extend the MEAC's win streak in the series to six straight games.
 
The 'Cats weren't able to give the conference a 10-2 mark in the series either.
 
This may actually bode well for advertising the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, I am hearing.
 
But it's OK. Best of all; B-CU didn't take a loss in the game because ASU had all the momentum when the delay occurred.
 
There were some good things shown by the Wildcats.
 
The defense looked stout for most of the unofficial game.
 
Trenton Bridges, Elliott Miller, Todney Evans, DeMarcus Womack, DiShawn Ray and Anthony Meyers all looked good on defense for B-CU.
 
After the first quarter, the game was scoreless and the Wildcats had not allowed the Braves to convert a third down. Although, B-CU's defense did seem to be confused in coverage during the Braves' two scoring drives; they were mainly holding ASU quarterback Lenorris Footman and running back Marquis Wofford in check.
 
The Wildcats also forced two turnovers; recovering two fumbles. B-CU also blocked an extra-point attempt.
 
Offensively, the Wildcats did struggle. The 'Speedway Offense' and run game never really got going.
 
Redshirt junior quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. didn't look exactly comfortable under center. He overthrew receivers and failed to read blitzes accurately. However, Brihm had success running, but had a critical fumble inside the Wildcats 20-yard line that led to the go-ahead score for the Braves.
 
Brihm only looked good passing on the Wildcats' lone scoring drive, which ended with him finding Jontavious Carter for a long pass with a beautiful pump fake. On that drive, Brihm got going by connecting with Carter on a number of underneath routes. Carter looks like one heck of a weapon at receiver. He was the offensive star of the day. Carter has the size and speed to give defensive backs fits throughout the remainder of the season.
 
The Wildcats also seemed not to have top rushers Michael Jones and Dre'Sean Nelson in full form.
 
On special teams, Jonathan Cagle and Uriel Hernandez looked good in the kicking game, but the return game needs to find a spark.
 
Take nothing away from Alcorn State. The Braves are a good football team and rightfully billed as one of the best in both the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Historically Black College/University (HBCU) football. ASU is the defending SWAC Champion for a reason. They also have a return trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in mind.
 
Still, none of it matters – the game (or lack thereof) doesn't count.
 
So, there is no need to fret. All possibilities, goals and dreams remain for this season for "Wildcats Nation".
 
After an unofficial dress rehearsal in a lightning-ended MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Bethune-Cookman Football can just go back to the drawing board after an "NFL-like preseason game". Or, to use our boss Bryan Harvey's favorite sport of soccer and its terminology – a "friendly".
 
The Wildcats march towards the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl doesn't officially begin until September 24, when B-CU travels to Savannah State to begin conference play.
 
B-CU is a four-time defending MEAC champion, and they'll be in the mix again. And all possibilities still remain for the team that scrimmaged for a quarter-and-a-half with one of the SWAC's best over the weekend.
 
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