B-CU can't hold on - Daytona Beach News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- Coaches never forget big games. And they never forget any and every small detail of big losses.
In the moments immediately after such occasions, it's hard to hide the honest emotions, which explains why Brian Jenkins gave a quick but definitive jab to the makeshift table in front of him as he worked through his post-game press conference Saturday night.
"Two plays . . . two plays," Jenkins said just before delivering a blow to the table.
He was thinking back to a pair of late-game punt returns his team gave up -- two returns brought about by missed assignments, Jenkins said. Jenkins, a stickler for detail, isn't high on missed assignments. When they lead to touchdowns, which lead to defeat, what you get is a head coach who, through 14 games at Bethune-Cookman, has never been this frustrated after a game.
"Without a doubt," said Jenkins, who saw his team lose 26-18 and also, most likely, lose any room for error the rest of the way in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Ten penalties, a lost fumble, four interceptions . . . and the Wildcats still could've won.
"Look at every other phase of the game," Jenkins said as he rattled off total-yard numbers. "We gave up big plays on special teams. That's how they got out of here with a win. They took advantage of our mishaps and came out with a victory. They did what a good team does."
S.C. State coach Buddy Pough, a friendly, thoughtful, respected bear of a man, was rather thankful. And very aware of what his team had just snatched at Larry Kelly Field.
"This was an ugly win," he said. "Tremendously ugly, but at the same time it was a beautiful win. Helluva game. Lot of turnovers and all that kind of stuff. It was a struggle, but we're really excited about this win."
About 10 weeks from now, nobody will ask -- or care -- about the how
UPSET BUT DETERMINED
S.C. State, a MEAC power for several years now, appears to be a team in transition. The Bulldogs are struggling to find a quarterback, which means they're struggling to find an offensive identity.
B-CU, on the other hand, entered this season with the highest expectations anyone can remember for the 'Cats. Last week's season-opening rout of Prairie View did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm.
A week ago, new quarterback Jamarr Robinson looked like a guy who'd come down from a higher league -- which he did, transferring from Maryland for a one-year stay at B-CU. Saturday, he made a few mistakes, and against the better teams that's a few too many.
"Just bad reads," Jenkins said about three of Robinson's four interceptions.
They have 11 days to regroup - the next game is a Thursday night home game against Hampton on Sept. 22. Jenkins has two chores in front of him. First, he has to remind his team that it's better than what it showed here Saturday. Then he has to get them to the level of play they expect.
"I'm frustrated, but we are a good football team," he said.
You learn more about a coach in defeat than in victory. Saturday, except for the table jab, Jenkins handled it very well. He hugged Buddy Pough, he bucked up his players. And he didn't sound at all like a guy who was afraid he'd lost his margin of error.
"We're still going for it all," he said.
11 Sep, 2011--
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