DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It was announced Sunday that Bethune-Cookman will host Coastal Carolina in a first round matchup of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs next weekend at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
Bethune-Cookman, champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), completed a perfect run through league play with an 8-0 record, capping it off with a 21-16 victory over rival Florida A&M in the Florida Blue Florida Classic on Saturday. The Wildcats hold a 9-2 overall record on the year, and are making their fourth appearance to the FCS playoffs in school history.
The Coast Carolina Chanticleers come into the playoffs as champions of the Big South Conference, ending the regular season with a record of 7-4 (5-1 Big South), capturing a 41-20 win over Charleston Southern in their last game.
"We're happy and excited to be lining up against a team like Coastal Carolina," said B-CU third-year head coach Brian Jenkins. "We need to be consistent, operate our scheme and continue to play good, sound defense like we have all season."
For the Wildcats, this will be their third time hosting the FCS playoffs, most recently welcoming New Hampshire to Municipal Stadium in 2010. That same season, B-CU received a bye in the opening round. In 2003, the Cats welcomed current BCS opponent Florida Atlantic to Daytona Beach in the opening round. B-CU also advanced to the playoffs in 2002, falling to Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga.
This is the first time in school history B-CU will face a member of the Big South conference.
"Coastal Carolina is a well-coached team, and I'm sure they will be prepared for this game," said Jenkins. "They play at a high level and are very talented. It's going to be a tough and exciting game."
