image via Bethune-Cookman Athletics
Bethune-Cookman 16, Alabama State 10
Bethune-Cookman opened SWAC play with a statement.
The Wildcats knocked off Alabama State 16-10, leaning on a punishing rushing attack and a defense that came through with the biggest stops when the game was on the line.
The win also snapped BCU’s five-game losing streak against Alabama State.
RASHON BROWN JR. PUT THE WILDCATS ON HIS BACK
The biggest story of the night was Bethune-Cookman running back Rashon Brown Jr.
Brown exploded for:
31 carries | 266 rushing yards | 1 TD | 8.6 yards per carry
His performance helped BCU pile up 337 rushing yards as a team.
Alabama State managed only 162 rushing yards.
That 175-yard difference on the ground proved to be one of the biggest factors in the Wildcats’ victory.
HOW THE GAME WAS WON
1st Quarter — BCU 6, Alabama State 0
Bethune-Cookman got on the scoreboard twice in the opening quarter.
Aiden Lanier connected on field goals of 28 and 24 yards, giving the Wildcats an early 6-0 advantage.
2nd Quarter — BCU 6, Alabama State 3
Alabama State finally answered just before halftime.
Andrew Abu-Akel converted a 34-yard field goal with one second remaining, cutting BCU’s lead to 6-3.
HALFTIME: Bethune-Cookman 6, Alabama State 3
3rd Quarter — BCU 13, Alabama State 3
Brown Jr. broke through in the third quarter.
The BCU running back finished a 75-yard scoring drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 13-3.
4th Quarter — BCU 16, Alabama State 10
Lanier added another field goal, this time from 33 yards, putting BCU ahead 16-3.
Alabama State refused to go away.
Jamarie Hostzclaw scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 16-10 with 11:50 remaining.
But the Wildcats’ defense had the final say.
Alabama State reached the BCU 20-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but Bethune-Cookman stopped the Hornets on fourth-and-1 with 2:22 remaining.
Alabama State got one final opportunity after BCU failed to put the game away offensively.
That opportunity ended when quarterback Aaron Frye fumbled with 31 seconds remaining.
BCU recovered.
Ballgame.
BY THE NUMBERS
| Category | Alabama State | Bethune-Cookman |
| Final Score | 10 | 16 |
| Total Yards | 255 | 388 |
| Rushing Yards | 162 | 337 |
| Passing Yards | 93 | 51 |
| First Downs | 19 | 19 |
| Time of Possession | 26:22 | 33:38 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd Down | 3-of-10 | 6-of-14 |
| Sacks | 0 | 3 |
THE STATEMENT
Bethune-Cookman didn’t win this game by lighting up the scoreboard.
The Wildcats won it in the trenches.
They ran for 337 yards, controlled the clock, held Alabama State to 162 rushing yards and made the defensive plays necessary to protect a six-point lead in the final minutes.
For a team beginning conference play, that’s the kind of win that can change the trajectory of a season.
Bethune-Cookman moves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play.
Alabama State falls to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
The Wildcats wanted a statement.
They got one.
BCU 16. Alabama State 10.
And Rashon Brown Jr. left no doubt about who controlled the ground game.
