Box Score NORFOLK, Va. – Bethune-Cookman defensive lineman Rony Barrow notched a pair of fourth-quarter safeties to help the No. 20 Wildcats rally for a 13-7 win over Norfolk State in a matchup of first-place teams on Thursday night at Dick Price Stadium.
The battle of the two top defenses in the MEAC – and two of the top three in the nation – lived up to its billing. But it was the Wildcats (8-2, 5-1 MEAC) who backed the Spartans (4-6, 4-2) deep into their own end twice during the decisive fourth quarter and came up with a pair of big plays on the goal line to swing this one in B-CU's favor.
NSU led 7-6 entering the fourth quarter thanks to a spirited defensive effort. The Spartans recorded a pair of interceptions in the first three quarters and also forced a turnover on downs which helped NSU nurse a one-point lead heading into the final quarter.
But momentum began to swing to the Wildcats favor early in the fourth. NSU punt returner
Tanner Fiano fumbled a 57-yard Jonathan Cagle punt and recovered at the Spartans' 2. On the next play, Barrow met NSU running back
Aaron Daniels in the end zone for a safety and an 8-7 BCU lead.
With NSU kicking into a stiff wind, the Wildcats received the free kick and started their next drive at the Spartans' 46. Seven plays later, Ben Noboa kicked a 24-yard field goal to extend the lead to 11-7.
Later, Cagle pinned NSU at its 1 after a 37-yard punt with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter. On the next play, Barrow and David Perry sacked
Terrance Ervin before he could escape the end zone, with Barrow making first contact, to stretch the lead to 13-7.
The Wildcats then ran out the clock.
As stout as the Wildcats' defense was throughout the contest, limiting NSU to just 67 yards of total offense, it was the NSU defense which made one huge play after another early in the ballgame. On the Wildcats' first possession, NSU linebacker
Deon King intercepted a third-down screen pass thrown by Quentin Williams to give the Spartans the ball at the B-CU 45. Four plays later, Ervin hit freshman tight end
Chris Lee on a 16-yard TD pass up the seam of the defense to give NSU a 7-0 edge with 7:36 left in the first quarter. It was the first TD of Lee's collegiate career.
In addition to the interception, King and safety
Keenan Lambert stuffed B-CU running back Anthony Jordan for a 1-yard gain on 4th-and-2 on the NSU 6-yard line later in the quarter, turning the ball over to the Spartans on downs.
B-CU finally broke through midway through the second quarter. On a 4th-and-8 play – the 11th of the Wildcats' drive – Williams released the ball just before getting hit by NSU's
George Riddick, and Jhomo Gordon was on the receiving end of a 23-yard scoring pass. But Haden Hoggarth missed the point-after, keeping NSU in the lead at 7-6.
The Spartans managed to hold B-CU scoreless in the third quarter despite a pair of botched NSU punts.
Dylan Shaddix corralled an errant snap on the first but couldn't get off the punt. He was dropped at the Spartans' 36. But three plays later,
Keenan Lambert made a diving interception of a Williams pass at the NSU 10.
NSU failed to get a first down on its next drive and had to punt from deep in its own end. Shaddix's punt was blocked by Dre'Sean Nelson, giving the Wildcats possession at the NSU 5. The NSU defense held again, and Hoggarth missed a 23-yard field goal. But NSU's fortune ran out in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans finished with just 39 rushing yards on 29 attempts and completed 3-of-13 passes for 28 yards. The Wildcats had 217 yards of offense and ran 30 more plays than NSU (72-42). B-CU ran 60 times for 134 yards and passed for 83.
King had a monster night, recording a career-high 19 tackles, four for loss. He also intercepted a pass and forced a fourth-quarter fumble, which NSU recovered.
Lamar Neal and
Marcell Coke had 12 tackles apiece and
Lynden Trail added 11 for the Spartans.
The Spartans play their home finale next Saturday when they host North Carolina Central at 2 p.m. for Military Appreciation and Senior Day.
