The Alcorn State University Braves (ASU) (1-2, 0-0), after suffering one of the worst loses in school history, had nothing to lose and everything to prove as they entered Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana to face the McNeese State University Cowboys (MSU) (0-3, 0-0) on Saturday, September 17th at 7:00 pm. The Braves’ goal was to maintain that vigor that they possessed from year’s past and they did just that.
The first quarter was scoreless as both teams seemed to work off some jitters and feel one another out.
The Braves found their groove early in the second quarter at the 11:20 mark when Running Back Niko Duffey scampered into the end zone on a 13-yard run and with Kicker Noah Kiani’s extra point the score was 7-0, Braves. Alcorn continued the momentum as Running Back Jarveon Howard scored at the 6:06 mark on an 11-yard score and with a successful Kiani extra point the score was now 14-0, Braves. ASU’s dominance continued in the second quarter as Wide Receiver Monterio Hunt scored on a 89-yard reception from Quarterback Aaron Allen and with Kiani’s PAT (point after attempt) the score was now 21-0, Braves. The Cowboys finally got on the score board when Kicker Garrison Smith nailed a 31-yard field goal with 33 seconds left in the half to make the score 21-3, Braves.
McNeese finally found their mojo in the third quarter at the 13:40 mark when Running back D’Angelo Durham scored on a 14-yard run to pay dirt and with Smith’s PAT the score was now 21-10, Braves. Alcorn, not to be outdone, scored on a Kiani 28-yard field goal at the 2:48 mark making the score 24-10, Braves. MSU’s Wide receiver Kameran Senegal caught a 21-yard pass from Quarterback Knox Kadum with 39 seconds remaining in the third and with a successful Smith extra point the score was now 24-17, Braves.
The fourth quarter was full of bravado as Alcorn’s Kiani booted a 38-yard field goal right between the uprights at the 13:41 mark making the score 27-17, Braves. The Cowboys, still playing with some fight in them, scored at the 11:16 mark when Linebacker Micah Davey scored on a 10-yard safety making the score 27-19. The final score of the contest saw the Braves’ Kiani kick a 21-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining in the contest making the final score 30-19, Braves.
Offensively, the game leaders were Allen who completed 15 passes for 189 yards and 1 touchdown, Running back Javanta Leatherwood who averaged 7.3 yards per carry with 80 yards on the night, and Hunt who had 1 reception for 89 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Linebacker Terreance Ellis had 6 solo tackles with 2 of them being sacks.
ASU’s next game will be its home opener on September 24th at 6:00 pm in Spinks-Casem Stadium against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2-1, 0-0). You can listen to the game on WPRL 91.7 FM or watch it on HBCU GO.