The Wildcats last took the field on Nov. 23, 2019 in the Florida Classic. A lot has changed since that night
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STEPHEN PEREZ | THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL | 13 hours ago
After nearly two years of no football, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are set to return to the field Saturday at UTEP.
Last year, the MEAC suspended athletics due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, prematurely ending the Wildcats' long history with the conference as they joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) this summer.
For head coach Terry Sims, it's a new conference, but the same mindset.
“Football is football,” he said. “Our group has had success against teams in the SWAC. It is going to be great to form new relationships and new rivalries moving forward.”
As the Wildcats get set to face the Miners at 9 p.m. tonight, here are some thoughts from Sims ahead of the
Welcome back!
As mentioned, the last time the Wildcats took the field was almost two years ago — Nov. 23, 2019 to be exact. That season ended the same the past nine have ended for B-CU — by beating rival Florida A&M, which also moved to the SWAC this year.
From that moment until June of 2020, the offseason was pretty normal. Then, last July, the conference suspended the season and players and coaches were left in limbo.
The team remained engaged with each other like everyone else did — daily Zoom calls and trips to the gym. By the time they returned for practice this fall, Sims said everyone was ready.
“We’ve been ready,” Sims said. “And ever since fall started and games have inched closer, the intensity and speed of practices has gone up a few more levels.”
Terry Sims and the Wildcats open the season Saturday in Texas.
Terry Sims and the Wildcats open the season Saturday in Texas.
ROMEO T GUZMAN/BCU ATHLETICS
Bethune-Cookman players to watch
Like most programs, the big names for the Wildcat fans to look for are in the quarterback room. As is the case most years under Sims, don't be surprised to see the 'Cats use a two-quarterback system.
Devin Black, the senior out of Ruskin, has seen limited action in the past but is growing into the role. Also in the mix is Shannon Patrick, a transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff who comes in with a combined 2,906 passing yards and 25 touchdowns over two years.
”They all come in and put in the work everyday,” Sims said. “Now it just comes down to who will go out there and be productive when it matters most.”