Bethune-Cookman 22, Norfolk State 21

September 23, 2006

(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Sept. 23, 2006) Senior kicker Jesus Cortez converted on a 35-yard attempt late in the game to bring Bethune-Cookman College back from a 21-13 deficit in the third quarter to knock off Norfolk State by a final count of 22-21 in front of 5,263 fans in a thriller at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday evening.

Bobbie Williams (Miami, Fla.) picked off his third interception of the day, and none bigger than his last, as he ended any hopes of a Norfolk State (2-1, 0-1 MEAC) comeback as NSU quarterback Casey Hansen rolled to his right and heaved a desperation pass for a first down right down the middle of the field. Williams was in perfect position to intercept the pass for Bethune-Cookman (3-1, 2-0 MEAC) and earn the Wildcats the hard-fought victory.

“Bobbie Williams was big for us today just as he was last year,” exclaimed B-CC head coach Alvin B. Wyatt, Sr. “He did a good job of disguising his coverages and making a play on the ball every time. He really did a good job for us today, once again.” Trailing 21-13 heading into the fourth quarter, B-CC turned to quarterback Jimmie Russell (Jonesboro, Ga.) to engineer a drive that went 85 yards on 11 plays and took 5 minutes and 16 seconds off the clock. Russell and starting quarterback Jarod Rucker (North Miami Beach, Fla.) played equally in a dual role all day long. Russell completed a 39-yard pass to Eric Weems (Ormond Beach, Fla.) down the right sideline, and then eight consecutive rushing attempts between himself and running back Chauncey Hampton (Sanford, Fla.). Hampton went in from two yards out to bring the ‘Cats to within 21-19 with 11:16 remaining in the contest.

On the next defensive series, B-CC forced a punt from the Spartans—just their third of the day—and the ‘Cats got the ball back on their own 11 yard line with 8:23 showing on the clock.

Once again, Russell and Rucker swapped in-and-out on the drive, but it was the leg of kicker Jesus Cortez (Ft. Meade, Fla.) that turned the tables. After the Wildcats got down to the Spartan seven yard line, Rucker was sacked by NSU defensive players Timothy Jean Pierre and Chris Arzu to force the ‘Cats to attempt the field goal from 35 yards out. Cortez safely converted the kick, and the Wildcats led 22-21 with 3:29 left in the game.

But Norfolk State had one last chance at hope as the Spartans faced a fourth and long situation, but received a first down courtesy a B-CC holding penalty to advance the NSU offense up to the NSU 27 yard line with 1:45 left in the contest. The next play for the Spartans was an interception by Bobbie Williams, his third of the game and sixth in the last three games altogether. Williams also picked off two passes last weekend against South Carolina State.

“We knew they were going to pressure our defense today since we have some guys that didn’t play because of injury,” expressed Williams afterwards. “Taurean [Charles] Josh [Balloon] and myself wanted to take it on our shoulders to win the game and make the plays. We knew if we kept them off the board late, that we would win the game.” B-CC jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when a high snap on a punt attempt sailed over the head of Antonio Gomez. He was forced to perform an illegal kick through the back of the end zone that allowed the Wildcats to take over first and goal at the NSU three yard line. From there, Rucker went in on the left side for the 7-0 advantage, following Cortez’s extra-point kick.

NSU wasted little time answering back as Emery Sammons caught a 52-yard pass right down the middle of the field from Hansen to cut the lead to 7-6. The extra point was missed on a bad snap from center.

The Spartans went ahead 14-7 following another long pass from Hansen, this time completed to Derrick Baker right down the middle of the field as a B-CC defensive back slipped on the play. The two-point conversion gave the Spartans the edge at 14-7 in the third quarter.

B-CC would cut the lead down to 14-13 courtesy a Russell-to-Weems connection on a 79-yard pass that went the distance. The extra point by Cortez was missed.

NSU wasted little time getting back on the board as they marched 81 yards in five plays to take a 21-13 lead after DeAngelo Branche went into the end zone from 12 yards away for the score. The kick was good from Gomez, and the Spartans looked to be in control with 1:43 left in the third quarter.

That’s when the B-CC offense woke up, as well as the defense.

Norfolk State was led on the day by Monte’ Anthony with 107 yards on the ground, as well as Hansen’s 257 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Sammons (4 rec. / 81 yds. / 1 TD) and Baker (3 rec. / 70 yds. / 1 TD) were the receiving leaders. For the Spartans on defense, Jean-Pierre led all with eight tackles (2.5 tackles for loss), followed up by Don Carey with seven tackles and one interception.

The Wildcats were led by Eric Weems with four catches for 153 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown put Weems at second place on the B-CC all-time scoring list. Russell finished the game with 76 yards rushing on 13 carries, as well as 126 yards in the air on 3-of-4 passing and one touchdown. Justin Brannon (Jacksonville, Fla.) also had 47 yards on the ground through six carries. The Wildcat defense was held up by Travis Roland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) with 10 tackles—nine solo. Taurean Charles (Miami, Fla.) chipped in with seven tackles (1.5 tackles for loss). Brent Davis (Daytona Beach, Fla.) also added seven tackles while Williams picked off three passes with five tackles to boot.

The Wildcats will now travel on the road next weekend when they face off against Morgan State in Baltimore, Md. on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. on the campus of MSU. This will be the ‘Cats second game on the road in the last three weeks.