Expectations are higher for Bethune-Cookman as they aim for a breakout season

Miami Herald

a day ago

Coming off a 2-10 record last fall and only three wins in 2023, it's no surprise Bethune-Cookman was picked fifth in the SWAC Eastern Division in last month's preseason media poll.
The way receiver Maleek Huggins sees it, it's time for the Wildcats to start winning.
'These past few years we haven't really won a lot, so it's more of a do-or-die mindset around here,' Huggins said. 'We ain't got nothing to lose, and we're leaving it out on the field every day.'
Bethune-Cookman will open the season at FIU on Aug. 29 and then face Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 6. The Wildcats will start their SWAC slate Sept. 27 at home against Alabama A&M.
What would be considered a successful third season under Coach Raymond Woodie Jr.? He didn't put a number on it, but said, 'At the end of the day, the key is to win more games than last year.'
He said, 'we are taking steps in the right direction,' and proudly noted the program's academic progress. He added that the team is now 'player-led' as well, so 'it's not a lot of redirecting' by coaches.
In addition to playing 'smart, fast, and physically aggressive,' Woodie has emphasized this offseason that 'We've got to finish games.' Four of the Wildcats' six league losses in 2024 were decided by a combined 13 points, including a 25-23, five-overtime road loss to Southern University. They dropped their final three games by an average of just 2.7 points.
'A lot of those games, we beat ourselves,' Huggins said. 'That's the encouraging part.'
Bethune-Cookman's offense will have a new architect this season, with Donte' Pimpleton taking over playcalling duties. Pimpleton, last year's co-offensive coordinator, replaces Joe Gerbino, who left for Colgate. Along with his new role as the sole offensive coordinator, Pimpleton was promoted to assistant head coach and quarterbacks' coach.
The new offense 'is going to be a sight to see,' Huggins said. 'We're going to be in attack mode all game … light the scoreboard up and put on a show.'
Who takes the reins is still up in the air. Woodie described the ongoing battle between last year's starter Cam'Ron Ransom and Arkansas State transfer Timmy McClain — who also played at USF and UCF — as a 'see-saw type' competition, adding that both quarterbacks could see action early in the season.
With leading rusher Dennis Palmer transferring to Troy, the Wildcats must also determine who will take over the ground game.
Defensively, the Wildcats feature standout playmakers in the secondary and front seven.
Defensive backs Antwone Watts and Johnny Harris III anchor the secondary — Harris earned a spot on the Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watchlist as one of the nation's top 15 HBCU defensive backs and Watts received HBCU Preseason All-American Honorable Mention.
Defensive lineman Adrian 'A.J.' Hall Jr. and linebacker Malik Stinnett were both named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team, combining for 104 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, last season. The Wildcats will look to fill the void left by graduated leading tackler Raymond Woodie III.
Woodie's focus on defense?
'We have to stop the run and keep the ball in front of us, and that's the two things we've been working on that we didn't do well last year,' Woodie said.
'And we've got to do a really good job of getting more takeaways,' he added, referencing the team's 10 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
The Wildcats finished last season at minus-2 in turnover margin. Hall, who accounted for one of those fumble recoveries, is a key team leader.
Like Huggins, he envisions big things for Bethune-Cookman this year.
'You've got to have that mindset that you believe you're going to win,' Hall said.
'And I just feel like the things we've been doing inside of practice and off the field, just getting involved in the community around Daytona Beach, all those things that build a big team bond and camaraderie, will be the difference maker here in turning around our record.'