By ANDREAS BUTLER | FLORIDA COURIER
(Source: Florida Courier)
It’s still early in the football season and there is plenty of excitement and action to go around, including among Florida’s four Historical Black Colleges and University (HBCU) programs.
All but one of Florida’s HBCUs are in action this week and those games are here in the Sunshine State. Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens has a bye week.
Here is a look at the action coming up this week in Daytona Beach and Tallahassee.
Edward Waters (3-0) at Bethune-Cookman (0-3)
Two of Florida’s HBCUs square off when the Edward Waters University Tigers go to Daytona Beach to face the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats.
The Tigers are hot to start the season and took down the #13-ranked team in Division II, the Virginia Union University Panthers 41-38, on Sept. 13 in Jacksonville.
The Wildcats finally got their offense going in a 55-41 loss to South Carolina State.
Edward Waters is averaging 42.6 points per game and giving up. They have scored 40 points in each game.
The Tigers are also putting up 387 yards per game including 258 in the air and 129 on the ground.
Bethune-Cookman is averaging 17 points a game while giving up 47.
The Wildcats have struggled to run the ball. They have also struggled to stop the run.
B-CU has had both quarterbacks Cam’Ron Ransom and Timmy McClain play in each game. McClain started the last two games. Ransom started the first.
Ransom will be the starter against Edward Waters. Don’t be surprised if both play though.
Edward Waters Head Coach Brian Jenkins was head coach at Bethune-Cookman from 2010 to 2014. He led the Wildcats to a 46-14 record and four MEAC titles.
The Tigers’ defensive line coach Untareo Johnson also played for B-CU.
Alabama State (2-1, 0-0) at Florida A&M (1-2, 0-0)
It is the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener for both teams.
Florida A&M got its first win of the season taking down Albany State 33-25 last week.
Alabama State took down Miles College 37-9 at home last week.
The Rattlers’ season has been disappointing so far but their season goals of a SWAC title and HBCU National title are still intact and really begin in this game.
The Hornets have looked good; they only lost to FBS program UAB 52-42 on Aug. 28.
Alabama State is put- ting up points averaging 36 points per game.
The Hornets also average 430 yards per game including 262 in the air and 167 on the ground.
Their defense is giving up 22 points, 365 yards, 175 yards on the ground and 190 in the air but most of the came against University of Alabama Birmingham.
Florida A&M is averaging 18 points a game and giving up 30.
The Rattlers are averaging 343 yards per game and 260 in the air but just 83 on the ground.
Their defense is giving 356 yards per game including 235 in the air and 121 on the ground.
This should be a good matchup and one of the better games this week.