Bethune-Cookman University issued the following announcement on Sept. 17.
Bethune-Cookman University football lost a hard fought SWAC opener in the elements to Alabama A&M University on Thursday evening, 30-27.
The game which was originally scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. was delayed for more than 40 minutes due to severe weather. Once the teams were allowed to return, AAMU jumped out to a 13-0 lead on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Aqeel Glass to Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim and two field goals from Corey Spencer.
The Wildcats special teams came up big in the beginning of the second quarter when kick-returner Darnell Deas returned a kick-off 89-yards for a touchdown cutting the Bulldog lead to 13-7.
On the next possession Alabama A&M added to their lead as they engineered a nine-play, 64-yard drive that took 3:44 off the clock capped off by a three-yard plunge into the endzone by Gary Quarles given them a 20-7 lead.
Bethune-Cookman fought hard to get back into the game towards the end of the first half when senior running back Que'Shaun Byrd found paydirt from 14-yards out making the score 20-13. On the second to last play of the first half Glass again found Ibrahim in the back of the end on 12 yard floater that gave the Bulldogs a 27-13 lead going into the locker rooms.
B-CU dominated the second-half outscoring AAMU 14-3. Byrd scored his second touchdown of the game on a one-yard plunge that cut the lead to 27-21. Corey kicked his third field goal of the game extending the Bulldogs lead to 30-21. The Wildcats closed the deficit one final time when Patrick found tightend Kemari Averett on a seven yard pass making the score 30-27.
Bethune-Cookman had one final shot at tying or winning the ball game but Alabama A&M forced a turnover with 1:14 remaining to seal the victory.
Turning Point
The Wildcats drove the ball all the way to the Bulldogs 37-yardline, but Patrick threw a fourth down pass into traffic and was intercepted by Trenell Troutman to seal the victory for AAMU.
Individual Leaders
Offensively B-CU was led by Byrd who finished with a game-high 132 yards on the ground and two touchdowns while was 17-of-31 for 221 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively Tekeven Thomas and Untareo Johnson each had a game-high nine tackles.
Bethune-Cookman outgained Alabama A&M 366 to 358
B-CU had a season-high 14 penalties for 144 yards
The Wildcats turned the ball over three times to the Bulldogs zero
The Wildcats finished 7-of-15 on 3rd down conversions while going 1-of-1 on 4th down
Coach Terry Sims Quote
"We had too many penalties and you can't win games making those mistakes."
"It was great getting back home and playing in front of our fans despite the weather. You can say we had a few more advantages if the weather cooperated. We really couldn't get in there and throw the ball like we are used to doing because of the weather and the balls being slick. Not an excuse, just reality."
Running Back Que'Shaun Byrd Quote
"The line was doing a great job up front opening holes, and I was able to see them and get what the defense gave me."
"Deas return was a big momentum booster for the team and I feel it really got our players going."
Original source can be found here.
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