Check out this story on BCC's last game.
www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/CollegeSports/sptFBC01102107.htmOctober 21, 2007
'Extra push' falls short; Wildcats lose 4th straight
By BRENT WORONOFF
Staff Writer
DAYTONA BEACH -- With Bethune-Cookman backed up to its goal line in the fourth quarter, second-string quarterback McKinson Souverain sparked a stagnant offense and gave the Wildcats a chance to win their first game since Sept. 15.
But B-CU's late rally came up just short as Souverain's pass to Joe Singleton was intercepted by Nate Biggs at the Winston-Salem State 1-yard line with 1:12 left, and the Rams (4-3) escaped with a 14-9 victory Saturday at Municipal Stadium.
The Wildcats (2-5) may have found an answer to their offensive struggles, but it came too late on this day as they lost a fourth straight game for the first time since 1996.
"We showed a lot of character at the end," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said. "When we were down in the fourth quarter, we showed some of the fight that we've been looking for."
Starting quarterback Jimmie Russell led B-CU effortlessly down the field on its first drive of the game. But David Irizarry intercepted Russell's pass to Paul Neufville at the Rams' 4 to end a 45-yard drive.
After that, the Wildcats managed just 65 yards of offense and three points on a Lucas Esquivel field goal until Souverain re-entered the game with less than 12 minutes remaining, B-CU down 14-3 and the ball on the 'Cats 1 on a third-and-11 situation.
"We just didn't execute," said Russell who ran for 17 yards and completed 2 of 5 passes for just 3 yards. "That first drive looked like that would be the way the game would go the rest of the day.
"Today, we just needed to go to our air attack. McKinson came in, and he did everything right."
Souverain completed a 22-yard pass to Singleton on third-and-11 and proceeded to lead the 'Cats down the field with an assortment of passes and quarterback keepers. Justin Brannon scored on a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and goal with 7:33 left.
"It was just a natural second effort," said Brannon, who rushed for 41 yards. "The offensive line did a nice job getting an extra push."
Russell's screen pass to Corey Council for a 2-point conversion came up short, and B-CU trailed 14-9.
From there, a revitalized B-CU defense held WSSU on three-and-out. And after Souverain's pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-10 from Rams' 41, the defense did it again, and B-CU got the ball back at its 41 with 2:17 left.
Souverain, who ran for 49 yards and passed for 97, marched the 'Cats down to the Rams' 13. But his third-down pass was intercepted by Biggs, and the Rams ran out the clock.
"I looked left first," Souverain said. "I should have looked to the right first. By the time I did, it was too late.
"The defense said they were getting the ball back, and they did," Souverain said. "We should have sealed the deal. But, at least it's something to build on."
B-CU's defense, led by Ronnie McCullough's 20 tackles, played well again. But a few big plays -- notably Irizarry's 50-yard kickoff return that set up the Rams' first touchdown and a 53-yard screen pass from Monte Purvis to Omar Kissie that set up their second touchdown in the third quarter -- were the difference.
"I thought we gave one away here last year," said Winston-Salem coach Kermit Blount, whose squad fell to B-CU 10-6 one year ago. "And we tried to do it again, but we closed it out when we had to close it out."
brent.woronoff@news-jrnl.com
TAKE FIVE
Different Kind of Connection
Bethune-Cookman quarterback McKinson Souverain made a bunch of big connections in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats' 14-9 loss to Winston-Salem State on Saturday.
But there was one connection he still can't make. Asked if he'd be calling home to Delray Beach to talk about his near-comeback performance Saturday, he laughed.
"I can't," Souverain said. "My phone just got disconnected."
Is There a Kicker in the House?
Winston-Salem State head coach Kermit Blount wasn't trying to channel his inner Les Miles when the Rams kept going for it on fourth down Saturday. (Winston-Salem was 2-for-4 on fourth-down tries, including a fourth-and-12 conversion for its second touchdown).
He simply had no other choice.
"We left our field goal kicker (Matt Mitchell) home, for a disciplinary reason," Blount said. "If we had gotten a lot closer, we might have tried one. But I didn't want to."
Kirkland, Davis Out
The Wildcats were missing a key cog in the offensive backfield Saturday, as starting slot back Phillip Kirkland was out with injuries and didn't dress. Backup cornerback Brent Davis, a Mainland grad, also did not play. Davis had 17 tackles in the first six games of the season.
Head coach Alvin Wyatt said Kirkland had suffered a shoulder injury.
Long One for Lucas
Lucas Esquviel gave Bethune-Cookman a huge lift early in the second quarter, drilling a 47-yard field goal for the Wildcats' first points.
It was the longest field goal of the senior's Bethune-Cookman career.
Sumlar Gets a Chance
Freshman running back Brian Sumlar saw his most extensive action of the season, and did well in the first half, accumulating 42 yards.
But, Sumlar didn't touch the ball in the second half.
-- Michael Lewis
QUESTIONS & ATTITUDE
McKinson Souverain led B-CU 95 yards to the Winston-Salem 4 early in the fourth quarter. Why did Jimmie Russell come back in at that point?
It seemed like a questionable move at the time. Sure Souverain is the passing specialist, and with a second-and-goal at the 4, the Wildcats could go back to their base offense and their starting quarterback.
But, Souverain got the offense going when it seemed to be dead in the water, so why mess around with something that's working?
But, it became a moot point. After Justin Brannon was stopped twice, he rushed up the middle on fourth-and-goal for a 1-yard score.
So who should be the starting quarterback when the Wildcats travel to North Carolina A&T next week?
Souverain may not take over the offense full-time, but he probably earned a lot more playing time. Opponents know he is in the game to pass the ball, but at least his presence diversifies the offense. The triple-option by itself has struggled much of the season.
Will B-CU's opponents start running away from Ronnie McCullough?
The linebacker tallied 20 tackles for the second straight home game and now has a total of 83 tackles in six contests. He seems to be all over the field, including the backfield, where he had three tackles for losses Saturday. But he said he would trade all of his tackles for a victory.
Did turnovers hurt the Wildcats again?
Two interceptions deep in Rams' territory -- one on B-CU's first drive and one on its final drive -- cost the 'Cats possible touchdowns, and one more TD would have been the difference in the game.
B-CU also lost a fumble that wasn't costly. But, Winston-Salem did not have any turnovers in the game.
"We need to become the Baltimore Ravens and create some turnovers," McCullough said. "Our offense is young. Maybe we need to help them more."
-- Brent Woronoff
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