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Colleges
BCC: Tough tests for Wildcats
The program seeks a reversal after a trying season and offseason.
By Izzy Gould
Published August 31, 2007
Alvin Wyatt stood alone at the mouth of a tunnel and resists the urge for a quick escape.
He gazed past the goal posts and watched the chaotic celebration at midfield. His Bethune-Cookman Wildcats were long gone licking their wounds somewhere beneath the Citrus Bowl stands, where Florida A&M fans still roared.
The rival Rattlers had knocked off the Wildcats 35-21 for their second consecutive win in the Florida Classic, marking the start of arguably Wyatt's toughest offseason.
It was the Wildcats' first losing season since 1997. Wyatt said the season was lost as early as the third week at South Carolina State where injuries hit. After a 5-6 finish 3-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Wyatt dismissed nine players, then mourned after former player Avery Atkins was found dead in a car in the garage of his aunt's Port Orange home.
Atkins' death hit Wyatt particularly hard because of their close relationship. Wyatt welcomed the former Florida Gator with open arms, but Atkins left the Wildcats after three games.
"That's just tough to take and hard to talk about," Wyatt said of Atkins' death. "I break down in tears. I knew the kid when he was small. ... I love Avery. I've known Avery since his daddy played football for me."
Despite the challenges, Wyatt believes he has the program back on course.
"The entire season was a disappointment to myself, my staff and the players," Wyatt said. "We were in the situation we thought we got ourselves in and could have gotten out if we won a couple more football games. It didn't happen."
The defense should be a strength, led by former USF linebackers Ronnie McCullough (Hillsborough) and Josh Balloon (Jefferson). The pair, being promoted as the Dynamic Duo, combined for 123 tackles last season for the Wildcats. McCullough's 73 tackles ranked fifth in the MEAC.
The secondary is anchored by senior Bobbie Williams, who intercepted six passes, tying him for third nationally in pickoffs per game (0.55).
Offensively, the Wildcats are led by quarterback Jimmie Russell, who threw for 1,139 yards and ran for 427 while rotating with the departed Jarod Rucker. Both coped with injuries, and Wyatt hasn't ruled out rotating quarterbacks again with FAU transfer McKinson Souverain and Devin Bradley in the mix.
The Wildcats lost top receiver Eric Weems and his MEAC-leagin 1,408 receiving yards. But Wyatt was unhappy with all the passing and wants to revert to his vaunted "Wyattbone" offense, Wyatt's form of the triple option.
"We feel good about our program," Wyatt said. "We had our first losing season in eight years. We lost some talented athletes from last year's squad, but we have some athletes that are going to be able to make the difference offensively and defensively."
Izzy Gould can be reached at izzygould@gmail.com or(727) 580-5315.
[Last modified August 29, 2007, 10:08:59]
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