Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football

Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football
2024 Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team
First season1925; 100 years ago (1925)
Head coachRaymond Woodie Jr.
2nd season, 5–18 (.217)
StadiumDaytona Stadium
(capacity: 10,000)
Field surfaceArtificial turf
LocationDaytona Beach, Florida
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceSWAC
All-time record505–348–26 (.589)
Claimed national titles2 (Black College): 2010, 2013
Unclaimed national titles2 (Black College): 2002, 2012
Conference titles14
RivalriesFlorida A&M
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
Fight songLet's Go Wildcats
MascotWil D Cat
Marching bandThe Marching Wildcats
Websitebcuathletics.com

The Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team represents Bethune–Cookman University in the sport of college football. The Wildcats compete in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Starting with the fall 2021 season, they compete in the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), after having been members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since 1979.[2] They play their home games at Daytona Stadium. The Wildcats have won two black college football national championships and seven MEAC titles in the history of their football program.

History

Classifications

Conference memberships

Conference championships

Year Conference Overall record Conference record Head coach
1942 SEAC 6–1 6–1 Thomas E. Morris
1947 SEAC 10–2 0–0 Bunky Matthews
1952 SIAC 9–1 5–1 Bunky Matthews
1973 SIAC 9–2 5–0 Cy McClairen
1975 SIAC 10–1 4–1 Charles W. Moore
1976 SIAC 9–2 4–1 Andy Hinson
1984 MEAC 7–3 4–0 Larry Little
1988* MEAC 5–6 4–2 Larry Little
2002 MEAC 11–2 7–1 Alvin Wyatt
2010* MEAC 10–2 7–1 Brian Jenkins
2012 MEAC 8–3 8–0 Brian Jenkins
2013* MEAC 10–3 5–1 Brian Jenkins
2014* MEAC 9–3 6–2 Brian Jenkins
2015* MEAC 9–2 7–1 Terry Sims
Total 14
* Denotes a tie for first place and conference co-champion

Black college football national championships

The Wildcats have won two black college football national championships.

Year Conference Overall record Conference record Head coach
2010 MEAC 10–2 7–1 Brian Jenkins
2013 MEAC 10–3 5–1 Brian Jenkins
Total 2

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS

The Wildcats have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs five times with an overall record of 0–5.

Year Round Opponent Result
2002 First Round Georgia Southern L 0–34
2003 First Round Florida Atlantic L 24–32
2010 Second Round New Hampshire L 20–45
2012 First Round Coastal Carolina L 14–24
2013 First Round Coastal Carolina L 24–48

NCAA Division II

The Wildcats appeared in the Division II playoffs one time, with an overall record of 0–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1977 Quarterfinals UC Davis L, 16–34

Alumni in the NFL

Over 31 Bethune–Cookman alumni have played in the NFL,[3] including:

Pro Football Hall of Fame

One former BCU football player has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Year inducted Player POS Seasons at BCU NFL team(s) Years with NFL team(s)
1993 Larry Little G 1963–1966 San Diego Chargers 1967–1968
Miami Dolphins 1969–1980

Buck Buchanan Award

The Buck Buchanan Award is given to the most outstanding defensive player in Division I FCS. In 2002, Rashean Mathis of Bethune–Cookman won the award.[4] Mathis holds the NCAA FCS/ I-AA records for most interceptions in a season (14), most interceptions during a career (31), most yards on interception returns in a season (455), and most yards on interception returns in a career (682).[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Bethune-Cookman Digital Media Guide. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  2. ^ "SWAC Announces Addition of Bethune-Cookman as Full Member" (Press release). Southwestern Athletic Conference. June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Bethune-Cookman Players/Alumni | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  4. ^ "College Football Awards: Buck Buchanan Award Winners". EDSFOOTBALL. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Football Championship Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved July 11, 2023.