Russell Leads Wildcats Past SSU

September 15, 2007
SAVANNAH, Ga- Jimmie Russell threw for 112 yards on 10 for 15 passing and ran for three touchdowns as Bethune-Cookman defeated Savannah State 45-13 in Memorial Stadium.

Bethune-Cookman, which has 14 Division I transfers on their roster, improves to 2-1 while SSU fell to 1-2.

Savannah State had more offensive yards than the Wildcats (301 to 290) but Bethune-Cookman took advantage of three SSU mistakes and turned them into points.

SSU quarterback JaCorey Kilcrease fumbled on the Tigers first possession and B-CU recovered at the SSU 44. The result was a 12 yard touchdown run by Russell with 9:46 left in the first quarter. Lucas Esquivel converted the extra point and B-CU led 7-0. The key play in the drive was a 20 yard pass from Russell to Joe Singleton.

The next SSU drive could only produce four yards and punter Jeremy Johnson's kick only went 11 yards which gave the Wildcats good field position at 50 yard line. B-CU drove to the Tigers 17 but had to settle for a 38 yard field goal by Esquivel with 5:18 left in the opening quarter. Key plays on the drive was a 16 yard rush by Russell and a 12 yard completion from Russell to Corey Council on a third and nine from the SSU 33.

Bethune went ahead 17-0 early in the second quarter when Russell scored on a two yard run. A 48 yard pass play from Russell to Singleton highlighted the drive as the Wildcats faced a third and 16 from their own 21.

SSU drove to the Wildcats 13 on their next possession but the drive stalled. A holding call backed SSU up 10 yards and a pass play ended up losing five yards which put SSU back to the B-CU 28. Luis Justiniano attempted a 45 yard field goal but it was blocked.

Late in the second quarter, SSU's A. J. Denson fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Wildcats Antwane Cox who scooped it up and ran 10 yards to the SSU 20. Three plays later, B-CU found themselves up 24-0 as Russell scored on a 10 yard scamper with 1:26 left in the first half.

Savannah State prevented a shutout on their second possession of the second half, driving 54 yards in seven plays. Denson made up for his fumble by catching a 39 yard touchdown pass from Kilcrease. Denson and Kilcrease are both natives of Macon, Georgia although they did not attend the same high school. Justiniano's extra point was good and SSU trailed 24-7 with 3:38 left in the third quarter. The key play on the drive was Vince Cochran's rush for 11 yards as SSU faced a fourth and two situation. That gave SSU a first down at the Bethune 35.

SSU tried a on-side kick during the kickoff but it was recovered by the Wildcats at the Tigers 37. It only took three plays for B-CU to score as reserve quarterback McKinson Souverain tossed a 39 yard scoring pass to Paul Neufville with two minutes remaining in the third for a 31-7 advantage.

On their next possession, SSU used nearly six minutes to drive 73 yards as back up quarterback Greg McCrary scored on a one yard run. The extra point was blocked and SSU trailed 31-13 with 10:58 left in the game. Key plays on the drive were a 16 yard run by Reggie May, a 15 yard pass interference call on the Wildcats, a 14 yard pass reception by Robert Frazier and a 13 yard run by Antwan Edwards.

Bethune-Cookman stretched their lead to 38-13 with 2:31 left in the game when Brian Sumlar scored on a one yard run. Sumlar also had a 29 yard run during the seven play, 57 yard drive.

On SSU's next drive, the Tigers were down to the Wildcats' 25. Faced with a first and 10, McCrary dropped back to pass but Council stepped in front of the intended receiver at the 15 and raced 85 yards for the touchdown that gave B-CU a 45-13 lead with 39 seconds left.

Russell rushed for 65 yards and Sumlar added 48 more for Bethune. Neufville caught five passed for 49 yards and Singleton hauled in two for 68 yards. Ronnie McCullough had 12 stops for the Wildcats defense and Bobbie Williams added 10 tackles.

Edwards ran for 79 yards on 16 carries for the Tigers while May added 41 on eight totes. Kilcrease completed 14 of 26 for 112 yards before leaving with a shoulder injury early in the final quarter. Denson caught for passes for 60 yards and Deleon Hollinger had four receptions for 36 yards. Chris Herans and Javorris Jackson had six tackles each for SSU.

The crowd of 5,063 saw the SSU offensive line provide good protection. After giving up 25 sacks during the 2006 season, SSU is only one of six I-AA schools in the nation not give up a quarterback sack this season.

Savannah State has a bye week on September 22 but will head to Fort Valley State on September 29. Kickoff is 5:00 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.