Bethune-Cookman's charge falls short vs. Jackson State, Stetson loses to Valpo in OT
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The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats were about 25 seconds and 22 yards from overtime.
Down 21-13 at Jackson State Saturday, Nov. 15, the Wildcats’ offense sat on the edge of the red zone in the final minute. A touchdown and a two-point conversion would extend the game.
With just under 30 seconds left, quarterback Cam Ransom dropped back and threw over the middle, but B.J. Washington intercepted the pass and returned it 82 yards for a game-sealing pick-6. The Tigers polished off a 28-13 victory.
Bethune-Cookman dipped to 5-6 this season.
Its high-flying offense was held out of the end zone, as the Wildcats mustered just two Juan Dominguez field goals and a 98-yard kickoff return by Javon Ross. JSU outgained them 520-290.
The Tigers never trailed. They grabbed the lead in the opening minute with an 83-yard strike from Jared Lockhart to Jameel Gardner Jr.
Ross’ return tied it seconds later.
But Jackson State’s Travis Terrell Jr. scampered for a 25-yard score to make it 14-7 in the second quarter, and Donerio Davenport powered in from six yards out in the third. Washington’s interception produced the only points of the fourth quarter.
The Tigers rushed for 360 yards and had three players — Terrell, Davenport and Ahmad Miller — eclipse 100 yards.
Bethune-Cookman’s Matthew McKenzie tallied an interception of Lockhart, but Jackson State picked Ransom off twice. Overall, Ransom finished 15 of 28 for 215 yards through the air. He also paced the squad in rushing with 69 yards.
Antwone Watts led the B-CU defense with 11 tackles.
The Wildcats will close the regular season in typical fashion next week. They’ll travel to Orlando for the annual Florida Classic against archrival Florida A&M.
Valparaiso 32, Stetson 31
Stetson and Valparaiso each enjoyed huge runs Saturday.
From the start of the game through the 5:21 mark of the third quarter, the Hatters took their turn. They built a 24-0 lead on the road.
But then the pendulum swung the other way, as the Beacons staged a 24-point comeback, tying it on the final snap of regulation to send the contest to overtime. Both teams scored there, but Valparaiso converted a game-winning two-point conversion.
Final score: Beacons 32, Stetson 31.
It was the Hatters’ fourth straight loss, setting their record at 3-8.
Spearheaded by Cayden Betts, Stetson piled up 282 yards on the ground. Betts accounted for 127 of those and a touchdown on 15 carries. Chris Stephenson and Michael Dempsey also added rushing TDs.
Stephenson passed for 134 yards, connecting on 14 of his 24 attempts. The Hatters got the ball first in OT, and Stephenson helped them jump ahead with a 3-yard touchdown toss to Dylan Redmon.
On the fourth play of the ensuing drive, Valparaiso QB Rowan Keefe pushed in for a 2-yard score. Colin Hayes completed the two-point pass to end the game.
Keefe closed 18 of 26 with 204 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Noah Long tacked on 92 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Stetson’s defense relied on Andrew Martin and Shug Bentley, who each registered nine tackles and half a sack.
The Hatters will wrap up their campaign at home Saturday, welcoming San Diego to DeLand for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bethune-Cookman football falls to Jackson State, Stetson drops to Valpo
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