The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (7-4, 6-2) knew going into the Mississippi Veteran’s Memeorial Stadium on Saturday, November 19th at 2:00 pm that they needed to beat the Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers (7-4, 5-3) in order to have a chance at winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Western Division title with a Prairie View A&M University (5-5, 5-3) loss. The Braves knew what was at stake and came to play.
Alcorn got on the scoreboard first in the first quarter when Running Back Jarveon Howard scored on a 1-yard rumble into the endzone at the 7:11 mark and with Kicker Noah Kiani’s extra point the score was 7-0, Braves. Alcorn scored again at the 5:18 mark when Wide Receiver Monterio Hunt scored on a 55-yard pass from Quarterback Aaron Allen and with Kiani’s successful extra point the score was now 14-0, Braves.
The Tigers, realizing that they couldn’t let the game get out of hand early, dominated the second quarter. Tight End D.J. Stevens caught a 4-yard pass for a touchdown from Quarterback Jacobian Morgan at the 14:21 mark and with Kicker Dylan Wasson’s extra point the score was 14-7, Braves. JSU scored again at the 4:17 mark when Wide Receiver Fabian McCray caught a 26-yard pass from Morgan for a touchdown and with Wasson’s extra point the score was tied at 14 at the half.
The third quarter was filled with back-and-forth scores as Alcorn scored at the 12:43 mark when Hunt caught a 33-yard pass from Allen and with Kiani’s extra point the score was 21-14. JSU answered at the 6:39 mark when McCray caught a 38-yard pass from Morgan and with Wasson’s extra point the score was now tied at 21. The Braves scored again at the 3:43 mark when Wide Receiver Malik Rodgers caught a 12-yard pass from Allen and with Kiani’s extra point the score was 28-21, Braves.
Jackson State added a late 35-yard field goal by Wasson in the fourth quarter at the 7:12 mark to make the final score 28-24, Braves.
Offensive statistical leaders were Allen who completed 16 passes for 225-yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, Howard had 70-yards rushing and 1 touchdown, and Hunt had 2 catches for 88-yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Linebacker Terreance Ellis had 10 tackles and 1 interception.
The win for the Braves was not enough to win the Western Division title due to Prairie View (who owns the tiebreaker over the Braves) beating the Albama State University (ASU) Hornets (6-4, 5-3) 21-14 and securing the title.
(Photo credit: alcornsports.com)