Hurricane Irene sent the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Conference USA into a tailspin due to possible inclimate weather as they had to come up with an alternate plan for the Alcorn State University Braves (0-0, 1-1) and the Florida International University Panthers (FIU) (0-0, 1-1) to play their scheduled game. Fortunately the two conferences worked together and the game was played on Friday, September 8th at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama at 6:00 pm. With a little over 5,000 in attendance at the event the Braves and the Panthers left the fans with a memorable experience.
The first quarter seemed somewhat sluggish for both teams as both seemed to be adjusting to one another and getting a feel for their new playing environment.
The Panthers broke the scoring ice in the second quarter at the 14:00 mark when Running back Alex Gardner scored on a 3 yard run and with Kicker Jose Borregales’ successful extra point the score was 7-0, Panthers. Alcorn answered at the 3:04 mark when Wide receiver Tavares Johnson caught a 4 yard pass from Quarterback Lenorris Footman and with Kicker Corey McCullough’s point after attempt (PAT) the score was now 7-7.
The third quarter was a defensive battle but it did see one score when FIU’s Borregales kicked a 23 yard field goal making the score 10-7, Panthers.
Entering the fourth quarter the Braves knew that they had to reach another level of intensity and they did just that when McCullough hit a 49 yard field goal at the 3:54 mark tying the score at 10. FIU wasn’t done either as Quarterback Alex McGough scored on a 1 yard run at the 1:12 mark and with a successful Borregales’ PAT this ended the game with FIU winning 17-10.
Alcorn’s next game will be on High School Day, Saturday, September 16th at 6:00 pm at Spinks-Casem Stadium against Southland Conference opponent McNeese State University Cowboys (0-0,1-1).