There was a lot at stake on “The Reservation” Saturday, November 18th as the Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (8-3,6-1) took on the Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers (5-5,4-3) at Spinks-Casem Stadium at 2:00 pm in Lorman, Mississippi. The winner would become the Champion of the Eastern Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
In the first quarter both teams knew that their adversaries would be giving it their all. The quarter remained scoreless as both teams attempted to fill out the other one’s weaknesses.
Advancing to the second quarter, Jackson State got on the scoreboard first at the 13:11 mark as Kicker Christian Jacquemin kicked a 44-yard field goal to make the score 3-0. Not to be outdone, Braves’ Kicker Corey McCullough kicked a 46-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining before the half to tie the score up at 3 all.
The Braves emerged from halftime an entirely different team full of vigor. At the 11:34 mark Running back P.J. Simmons scampered into the end zone on an 8-yard run and with a McCullough extra point the score was 3-10, Braves. The Braves continued to score when Quarterback Noah Johnson hit Wide receiver Juan Anthony on a 47-yard pass to the end zone and with a successful extra point by McCullough the score was now 3-17, Braves.
Alcorn ended their scoring dominance in the 4th quarter when Defensive back Taurence Wilson intercepted a JSU pass and took it 31-yards to pay dirt and with McCullough’s extra point the final score was 3-24, Braves.
Alcorn was lead by their overall defense which only allowed 195-yards of total offense, forced seven punts, and allowed zero points in the second half. The offensive was lead by Running back De’Shawn Waller who racked up 126-yards, and P.J. Simmons who tallied 68-yards and a touchdown. Johnson completed 14 of 20 passes for 177-yards and a touchdown.
With the win, Alcorn became the Eastern Division Champions for the 5th consecutive year and will host the SWAC Championship game on Saturday, December 1st at Spinks-Casem Stadium at 3:30 pm on ESPNU. They will face the winner of the Bayou Classic which will take place on November 24th pitting the Southern University Jaguars (6-3,5-1) against the Grambling State University Tigers (6-4,4-2).