Betnune-Cookman 33, Norfolk State 17

September 27, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Reserve quarterback Maurice Francois ran for 179 yards, and Brian Sumlar scored on three short touchdown runs as Bethune-Cookman outlasted Norfolk State 33-17 on Saturday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.

Trailing 19-17 entering the fourth quarter, the Spartans (2-3, 1-1 MEAC) turned it over on their final three possessions, with Sumlar (3-yard run) and Androse Bell (2-yard run) scoring on short runs to seal the win for Bethune-Cookman (3-1, 1-1).

NSU had several chances to take the lead. But Justin Castellat (Virginia Beach, Va.) was wide right on a 36-yard field goal early in the fourth. After forcing a Wildcat punt on the next posession, NSU got the ball back with 4:47 remaining. But DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.) fumbled on the first play of the next drive, and Dexter Jackson recovered for B-CU at the NSU 24. Five plays later, Sumlar scored from 3 yards out to all but seal it.

The Wildcats intercepted NSU's Dennis Brown (Miami, Fla.) on the next two NSU possessions.

Branche finished with 124 yards on 21 carries for NSU. Brown passed for 102 yards and ran for 67, including a 30-yard TD jaunt in the second quarter.
After a 44-yard Brown rush later in the second, NSU reserve QB Dexter Merritt (Chesapeake, Va.) hit Jamar Johnson (Norfolk, Va.) for a 7-yard TD pass.

Castellat accounted for NSU's other three points with a career-long 49-yard field goal in the third. It was the third straight week Castellat connected on a career-long field goal in excess of 40 yards.

NSU has its bye week next Saturday before returning to action at South Carolina State on Oct. 11.