The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (1-2, 0-0) hoped to continue their winning streak when they took their talents to face the Southland Conference’s McNeese State University (MSU) Cowboys (2-1,0-0) at Cowboy Stadium on Saturday, September 14th at 6:00 pm. The Braves fought valiantly against the Cowboys as they played the role of David looking to slay Goliath.
In the first quarter both teams seemed as though they were feeling one another out until the 6:27 mark when Cowboys’ Quarterback Cody Orgeron hit Wide Receiver Cyron Sutton with a 19-yard touchdown strike and with Kicker Noah Anderson’s extra point the score was 7-0, Cowboys.
McNeese continued their scoring ways in the second quarter when at the 13:42 mark Wide Receiver Trevor Begue caught a 13-yard pass from Orgeron and with a Sutton PAT (point after attempt) the score was now 14-0, Cowboys. MSU scored yet again at the 8:52 mark when Sutton booted a 37-yard field goal to make the score 17-0, Cowboys, right before the half.
Due to no one scoring in the third quarter Alcorn seemed to find new life in the fourth quarter after a change of quarterback due to Noah Johnson’s injury which led to the appearance of Felix Harper. Harper began the Braves’ comeback when he hit Wide Receiver Chris Blair with a 13-yard pass but unfortunately Kicker Corey McCullough missed the extra point attempt and the score was now 17-6, Cowboys. With less than 2 minutes left in the game the Braves would not go down without a fight. At the 1:21 mark Running Back Niko Duffy grabbed a 14-yard touchdown pass from Harper to make the score 17-12, Cowboys and with a successful 2 point conversion from Harper to Wide Receiver LeCharles Pringle the score was 17-14, Cowboys, upon which was the final score.
Alcorn’s offensive leaders were Felix Harper who had 13 completions for 132 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Running Back De’Shawn Waller rushed for 77-yards while Niko Duffy rushed for 41-yards. Duffy led all receivers with 54-yards receiving and 1 touchdown. Defensively, the Braves held their own with Linebacker Daimen Anderson leading ASU with 12 tackles while Defensive Back Keyron Kinsler had 8.
Alcorn will begin its Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) schedule on Saturday, September 21st at 5:00 pm at Spinks-Casem Stadium against the Prairie View A&M University Panthers (1-2, 1-0).