Maroon wins Bethune-Cookman spring game

May 1, 2016 - 1:12 AM (STATS) - MEAC power Bethune-Cookman will kick off its 2016 schedule against a SWAC opponent.

The Wildcats' goal is to also finish the season against one.

Coach Terry Sims' squad concluded its spring practices Saturday with the Gold edging the Maroon 20-17 in their intrasquad game inside Municipal Stadium.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Akevious Williams fired a 16-yard touchdown to Jaymonte McLeod with 44 seconds remaining to cap the winning 80-yard drive.

Williams, who was 11 of 18 for 147 yards and two touchdowns, has had a spirited competition for the starting quarterback job with Larry Brihm, who was 14 of 28 for 167 yards and a touchdown for the Gold.

"He pushes me every day, I push him," Brihm said. "I feel like he's going to be good and I'm going to be good for the upcoming season."

The Wildcats, who went 9-2 last season, are working toward their opener Sept. 4 when they host defending SWAC champion Alcorn State in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge.

Although they have won at least a share of the MEAC title in five of the last six seasons, the Wildcats did not earn the league's berth to the inaugural Celebration Bowl last year (North Carolina A&T did). They hope to secure this year's bid and finish up the season against the SWAC champion.

The Wildcats returns 14 starters, including first-team All-MEAC wide receiver Jawill Davis. Among the losses is longtime quarterback Quentin Williams.