Bethune-Cookman Outlasts Alabama A&M in a Back-and-Forth Shootout

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alihaja Scott Jr. scored a 26-yard run with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter to give Bethune-Cookman a 41-34 victory over Alabama A&M Saturday evening at Daytona Municipal Stadium. The win gave the Wildcats their first 1-0 start in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play since joining the conference in 2021.

Alabama A&M struck first with a 45-yard field goal by David Faulk with 9:35 remaining in the first quarter. That lead did not last long as Bethune-Cookman quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom connected with Javon Ross for a 79-yard touchdown on the Wildcats’ first offensive play of the game. Alabama A&M would answer with a two-yard run by Kolton Nero which game the Bulldogs a 10-7 first quarter lead.

Bethune-Cookman started the scoring during the second quarter after Ross made another big play, his 41-yard touchdown run on a reverse put the Wildcats back on top 14-10. Alabama A&M also scored on a big play when Eric Handley connected with Franck Pierre for a 72-yard score that gave the Bulldogs a 17-14 lead. Bethune-Cookman responded with two scores to end the first half. Khamani Robinson scored on a 24-yard run with 1:18 left in the second quarter and Ransom connected with Rickie Shaw II on a 27-yard pass to give the Wildcats a 27-17 halftime lead.

Alabama A&M scored the first points of the second half when Handley connected with Pierre once again, this time the touchdown covered 32 yards, and the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 27-24. Scott Jr. would find the end zone on an 8-yard run that would increase Bethune Cookman’s back to double digits. Handley connected with Travaunta Abner for a one-yard touchdown on fourth and goal which cut the lead to 34-31.

Alabama A&M tied the game at 34-34 when Faulk connected on a 19-yard field goal. Bethune-Cookman took the lead for good when Scott Jr. scored on his second rushing touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 41-34 with 1:07 left in the game. Alabama A&M moved the ball from their 18-yard line to the Wildcats’ 25-yard line, but Isiah Washburn broke up a pass Handley to Andre Craig on last play of the game.

Ransom led the Wildcats with 217 passing yards and two scores. He also had 69 rushing yards. Robinson had 78 rushing and a score, while Scott Jr. has 26 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Javon Ross put on a show with 108 receiving yards, 41 rushing yards and two scores.

Defensively, Antwone Watts led the way with 13 tackles, while Naim Lassiter added 10 tackles.

Back-up Alabama A&M quarterback Handly filled in admirably for the injured Quad Brown with 355 yards passing and three touchdowns. Franck had a game high 156 receiving yards and two scores. Abner contributed 102 yards receiving and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball Kaleb Brown contributed 7 tackles for the Bulldogs. Jalen Wright and Kylon Roberts each had an interception.

Bethune-Cookman (2-3, 1-0 SWAC) will look to win their third straight game on Saturday when they travel to Montgomery, AL to take on Alabama State University at 2 p.m. at ASU Stadium. Alabama A&M will attempt to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Mobile, AL to play Jackson State University in the Gulf Coast Challenge at 4 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.