Colleges

BCC at a glance

By Izzy Gould
Published August 31, 2007

Bethune-Cookman

WHERE: Daytona Beach

ENROLLMENT: 3,100

NICKNAME: Wildcats

COACH: Alvin Wyatt (72-39, 11th season overall)

CONFERENCE: Mid-Eastern Conference

LAST SEASON: 5-6, 3-5 MEAC (seventh).

LOCAL TIES: LB Josh Balloon (USF, Jefferson); FB BJ Atkins (USF, Hillsborough); DB Stephen Berthelot (St. Petersburg); LB Ronnie McCullough (USF, Hillsborough); DL Wayne Byers (East Bay).

STADIUM: Municipal Stadium (10,000)

OUTLOOK: Get used to the new name - Bethune Cookman University. It remains to be seen in the name change coincides with a turnaround following a disappointing 2006. The offense is in question with just three starters returning; quarterback Jarod Rucker and receiver Eric Weems are gone. One bright spot is the return of senior quarterback Jimmie Russell, who passed for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns. Corey Council should provide a slippery option as the A-back in the "Wyattbone" offense. Defensively, look for the combination of senior linebacker Ronnie McCullough and Josh Balloon to improve on their combined 123 tackles in 2006. Senior free safety Bobbie Williams will anchor the secondary. Perhaps the biggest task for B-CU will come in the Florida Classic, where FAMU has won the past two.

WEB SITE: http://bccathletics.cstv.com

SCHEDULE: Saturday - Jacksonville, 4 p.m.; Sept.8 - South Carolina State, 4 p.m.; Sept.15 - at Savannah State, 1 p.m.; Sept.22 - at Norfolk State, 4 p.m.; Sept.29 - Morgan State, 4 p.m.; Oct.4 - at Delaware State, 7:30 p.m.; Oct.20 - Winston-Salem State, 4 p.m.; Oct.27 - at North Carolina A&T, 1:30 p.m.; Nov.3 - Hampton, 4 p.m.; Nov.10 - at Howard, 1 p.m.; Nov.17 - vs. FAMU in Orlando, 3:15 p.m.

Izzy Gould, Times staff writer

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 10:08:27]