Bethune-Cookman began the Brian Jenkins era on a roll, claiming 10 straight victories while scoring 60 or more points three times. The Wildcats halted South Carolina State’s staggering 21-game winning streak in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, too.
Then, things began to unravel: Bethune lost the Florida Classic to in-state rival FAMU. Though Jenkins and Co. still earned a share of a conference title and the Wildcats’ first playoff berth in seven seasons, Bethune-Cookman’s skid continued, as New Hampshire won to advance in the FCS postseason.
Worse was this: That contest represented the last moments of eligibility for starting quarterback Matt Johnson, too — who leaves the program having thrown for 2,000 yards and 14 scores while rushing for 700 yards and another 7 touchdowns. Winner of the Alonzo S. “Jake” Gaither Award, given to the top player in the country among historically black colleges and universities, Johnson averaged 250.3 yards per game passing and running.
Then, there’s this year’s schedule. Included are an opening date in the MEAC/SWAC challenge on Sept. 4 against a resurgent Prairie View A&M program, as well as Bethune-Cookman’s first-ever contest against a BCS opponent on Oct. 1 at Miami.
Message: It doesn’t get any easier for Bethune’s celebrated second-year coach.
“You can’t bring what you did last year into this year, it’s a different day,” Jenkins said, in an interview with the Associated Press. “We’ve got to be able to let whatever was accomplished last year go, and re-establish ourselves and get ready to create something new in hopes it’s just as successful as last year.”
Bethune, in a sign of newfound respect, was picked to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, behind only recent perennial power South Carolina State. It won’t be easy: Eight of the Wildcats’ 11 games this season are out-of-state. Only five (South Carolina State, Howard, Fort Valley State, Morgan State and Savannah State) will be played at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach.
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