Saturday, November 20, 2010

Florida Classic: BCU coach changing football records and culture

No current college football coach in Florida has accomplished more in a rookie season than Bethune Cookman's Brian Jenkins. And that's saying a lot in an area that boasts respected football minds like Urban Meyer, George O'Leary and Skip Holtz.

Jenkins, 39, has the No. 7 Wildcats off to a historic 10-0 start, clinching at least a share of the school's first conference title in eight years. And, after Bethune Cookman's embarrassing loss to Florida A&M in last year's Florida Classic, he's looking to turn Saturday's rematch at The Citrus Bowl into a signature accomplishment.

More impressive than the team's record is how it's winning. In one season, B-CU has gone from "shine" to chic, chic, from disheveled to disciplined. And, interestingly enough, it's done it with...


Videographer: doublea198505 (BCU Florida Classic Battle of Bands - 11/19/2010)

Playoffs, milestone at stake for Wildcats

Picked in the preseason to finish eighth in its conference, Bethune-Cookman is one win away from an 11-0 record and a berth in the FCS playoffs.

ORLANDO -- Digging for reasons on how Bethune-Cookman has gone undefeated in its first year under coach Brian Jenkins can be as futile as trying to nail JELL-O to the wall.

No running back has rushed for as many as 500 yards. No receiver has as much as 500 yards in receptions. The Wildcats defense, although undeniably strong, hasn't posted shutout after shutout. And the kicking game has been a weakness all season long.

Still, a victory Saturday over archrival Florida A&M in the annual Florida Classic will allow Bethune-Cookman to finish off a regular season 11-0 for the first time in school history and clinch a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

B-CU, FAMU fans united, divided by loyalty

DAYTONA BEACH -- Kevin James Jr.'s decision to go to Bethune-Cookman University was "a no-brainer." The need to wear maroon and gold was ingrained in the sophomore's brain since he was a child by his father, a Wildcats graduate.

Kevin James Sr., 49, had to balance the playing field since his wife and daughter are graduates of Florida A&M University (FAMU).

Counting the rest of the extended family, both father and son are outnumbered yearly and will be today at the Florida Classic football game at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando at 2:30 p.m. where both universities face off. The Jameses have more than 50 family and friends who attend the game and gather beforehand for a tailgate party -- the majority for FAMU.



Videographer: doublea198505 (FAMU Florida Classic Battle Of The Bands 2010, 11/19/2010)

Wildcats coach: no superstars going against Florida A&M


As if his football team hasn't turned enough heads with its 10 straight wins, Brian Jenkins had one more surprise about Bethune-Cookman University during his weekly conference call.

There are no super stars on the Wildcats' team, Jenkins said, and he makes sure that none of his players ever start believing they're above the rest. He makes no secret of the fact that the remarkable season that the Wildcats are enjoying is because they think and act like a family.

"Everybody has their role (and) everybody is required to do their role at a high level," said Jenkins, who in his first season is a leading candidate for coach of the year in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. "The same demands are placed on a guy that's taking 50 reps and a guy that's taking 10 reps. There is no difference in requirements."

Florida Classic: Famu vs. Bethune-Cookman, 2:30, at orlando, ESPN Classic

The equation is the simplest in sports: win and you're in.

That's what's facing Bethune-Cookman today when it faces Florida A&M at the Florida Citrus Bowl. A win over the rival Rattlers and B-CU moves on to the Division I-AA playoffs; lose and it's forced to rely on fate to get into the postseason. The Wildcats already clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last week when they defeated Howard 35-20. Bethune-Cookman (10-0, 7-0 MEAC) is I-AA's only unbeaten team that could receive the automatic bid for the playoffs if it beats FAMU (7-3, 6-1) or if South Carolina State (8-2, 6-1) loses to North Carolina A&T (1-9, 1-6).

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Videographer: kissinqueen2 (FAMU Florida Classic Battle Of The Bands in HD, 11/19/2010)

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