Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Overall Rank: #22
#1 MEAC
Bethune-Cookman Team Page
2010 Record: (10-2, 7-1)
2010 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Brian Jenkins (10-2 at Bethune-Cookman, 10-2 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Isidore Jackson, RB, 514 yards
Passing: Jackie Wilson, QB, 371 yards
Receiving: Eddie Poole, WR, 550 yards
Tackles: Ryan Lewis, LB, 81
Sacks: Ryan Davis, DE, 6.5
Interceptions: Michael Williams, S, 6
In 2010 Bethune-Cookman rode their dynamic offense to a MEAC title and the FCS Playoffs. The offense was second in the nation with 38.17 points per game and tallied over 425 yards per contest. The offense has some key players to replace, but they should be pretty good again under second year coach Brian Jenkins.
Strengths:
However, it is the defense that will be greatly improved and help lead the Wildcats back to the postseason. Defensive ends Ryan Davis, who earned first-team All-MEAC honors in 2010, and Erik Williams are back. Former Rutgers transfer Jameil Farrington did not play too well during his first year with Bethune-Cookman, but he is ready to anchor the interior of the line. However, he will have a ton of competition from players like Eugene Solomon, Kentrell Harris and junior college transfer Harold Love. This is a very deep and experienced front four, but it gets even better. All the linebackers are back, led by Ryan Lewis, who was the Wildcats best tackler and added 5.0 sacks and four interceptions. Reggie Sandilands is another sure tackler and Rock Angrand and Jarkevis Fields are experienced players as well. Throw in another Rutgers transfer, Al-Ghaffaar Lane, and this unit is the best in the conference. On paper the defense’s weak spot is in the secondary. They did rank sixth in the MEAC in pass defense and they do lose some talented players, but all of that is a little deceptive. Officially, cornerback Daniel Rhodes is the only starter returning, but free safety Michael Williams was fourth on the team in tackles and picked off six passes. He is certainly ready for a full-time starting gig. Coach Jenkins has a slew of options, many who have played at the FBS level and are ready to fill in around those two.
Weaknesses:
It is not fair to call the offense a weakness. They just have some new faces to plug into the system. Quarterback Matt Johnson is gone, but Jackie Wilson started against New Hampshire in the playoffs and has plenty of experience. However, the job is not Wilson’s quite yet and he will have to hold off David Blackwell. Like Johnson, Wilson is a mobile quarterback. Despite the mobility of the quarterbacks, the offensive line still gave up way too many sacks. The unit lost a couple key contributors, but Natiel Curry and Alex Monroe are a solid duo to build around. With the addition of some junior college transfers the line should be just as productive as they were a year ago…and maybe even better. That is good news for running back Isidore Jackson who was the team’s top running back last season, tallying 514 yards and eight scores. Androse Bell split carries with Jackson last year and is now gone and Andronicus Lovette should be a nice change of pace back. The new quarterback will have to find some new targets as well. Jevaughn Reams and Pat Brown were two of the three receivers who caught more than 15 passes last season. The lone major returnee is Eddie Poole. At 6-3 and 180 pounds, Poole is a great option in the red zone, thus his eight touchdown receptions in 2010, but others will need to step up and help stretch the field.
The Bottom Line:
This is a very interesting Bethune-Cookman team. The offense was one of the best in the nation last year and could stay pretty close to the top of the statistical rankings. But it is the defense and their ability to make big plays that has the Wildcats on top of the MEAC pecking order. This is a team that created an average of 2.25 more turnovers than they gave up a year ago. That number will be very, very difficult to duplicate, but the defense should be steadier and more consistent this time around and that makes Bethune-Cookman a very dangerous team in the MEAC and in the playoffs.
Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 212.75 (13th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 212.83 (47, 2)
Total Offense: 425.58 (12, 1)
Scoring Offense: 38.17 (2, 1)
Rushing Defense: 147.08 (55, 5)
Pass Defense: 174.92 (25, 6)
Total Defense: 322.00 (31, 6)
Scoring Defense: 19.00 (15, 4)
Turnover Margin: 2.25 (1, 1)
Sacks: 2.00 (43, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 2.42 (82, 6)
Madness 2011 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#37 Quentin Williams
#97 Breon Allen
