Daytona Beach, FL---Bethune Cookman parlayed a balanced offensive attack and a bend-but-don't break defense to down Howard University, 49-12 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Municipal Stadium at Larry Kelly Field.
           
The Wildcats (5-1, 2-0 MEAC) established themselves early, taking the opening kickoff and  smartly driving 75 yards on 11 plays as Anthony Jordan capped it off with a three-yard run.
           
The Bison (1-6, 0-4 MEAC) mounted a drive on its own, but it was a sign of things to come as it stalled and John Fleck nailed a 46-yard field to tie his career best.
           
Bethune Cookman answered when Cary White finished off a 75-yard drive with a 19-yard scamper to make it 14-3 at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter.  Howard was able to counter, but again the Wildcats stymied them and held the Bison to a Fleck 31-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 14-6 early in the second quarter. 
           
But the 18^th ranked Wildcats wasted little time in putting the pressure on Howard when Quentin Williams finished off a short drive with a one-yard plunge to take a 21-6 lead to the locker room.
           
The Bison got energized to start the second half when Robert Mercer returned the opening kickoff 74 yards to give his tem great field position.  It took four plays as Greg McGhee capped it off with his 9^th TD of the season from a yard out.
           
It took Bethune Cookman 20 seconds as Jordan sprinted 79 yards its ensuing possession to extend the lead to 28-12 at the 12:28 mark.  On one of the few occasions during the day, the Howard defense held on third down and forced a Bethune Cookman punt.  It was there that Howard had a golden opportunity to cut into the lead and get back in the game.  But there was a mishap on the center snap from Nate Lewis to McGhee and Bethune Cookman recovered in Bison territory.
           
It took four plays for the Wildcats to capitalize as Jhomo Gordon caught a 24-yard pass from Larry Brihm.  Brihm would later add a two-yard run and Bethune Cookman would tag on a final score when Jamaruz Thompkins bowled in from two yards out to close out the scoring.
           
The Bethune Cookman defense limited Howard to a season-low 58 yards on the ground while forcing two fumbles.  The Wildcats rolled up 440 yards of total offense and converted on 8 of 12 third down conversions.
           
McGhee was held to a season low 4 yards rushing but he completed 20 of 39 for 207.  He was again victimized by several dropped passes.
           
Mercer had an outstanding individual effort, returning three kickoffs for 104 yards and catching two passes for 48 yards.
           
Devin Rollins, who came into the game leading the MEAC in tackles, tallied a career-high 16 while fellow linebacker Khari Brown contributed 12, a career best.

NEXT UP:  Howard hosts Florida A&M University next Saturday at 1:05 pm for its homecoming.  BCU travels to Savannah State to take on the Tigers of Savannah State at 6 pm.