The Alcorn State University Braves (4-4, 4-5) entered Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, Mississippi to take on the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (1-7, 1-9) looking for a chance to clinch a 3rd consecutive trip to the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s (SWAC) Championship game and they did not disappoint.
The Braves put on a dynamic display of offensive execution throughout the contest. The offensive dominance began in the first quarter when the Braves struck first at the 7:20 mark when quarterback Noah Johnson hit wide receiver Tavares Johnson with a 9 yard pass and with kicker Haiden McCraney’s extra point attempt the score was 7-0, Braves. Alcorn scored again at the 3:40 mark when Johnson scored on a 23 yard run to pay dirt and with a successful McCraney point after attempt (PAT) the score was now 14-0, Braves. The 2 time Eastern Division champs scored yet again with 3 seconds left in the quarter when Johnson hit wide receiver Norlando Veals with a 38 yard touchdown strike and with a McCraney extra point the score ending the first quarter was 21-0, Braves.
The Braves’ dominance continued in the second quarter with no signs of letting up. At the 12:12 mark Johnson hit wide receiver Collins Moore with a 23 yard pass for a touchdown and with a McCraney PAT the score was now 28-0, Braves. More points were scored at the 3:01 mark when Johnson connected on a 16 yard pass to wide receiver LaDarrien Davis and with a successful extra point from McCraney the score was now 35-0, Braves. Alcorn scored yet again when cornerback Javen Morrison intercepted a Valley pass and took it 64 yards for a “Pick 6” and with a McCraney PAT the score at halftime was 41-0, Braves.
The Braves did not rest on their laurels because they knew what was at stake. Their explosive scoring dominance continued in the third quarter and it proved to be potent. Alcorn scored at the 13:50 mark when Johnson hit Veals with a 51 yard touchdown pass and with a McCraney point after attempt the score was 48-0, Braves. The dynamic duo connected yet again at the 10:00 minute mark when Johnson hit Veals with a 52 yard touchdown pass and with a McCraney PAT the score was now 54-0, Braves. Before the end of the third quarter the Braves put more points on the scoreboard at the 1:04 mark when Johnson found tight end Demetrius Lewis in the end zone with a 5 yard pass and with a McCraney extra point the score was now 61-0, Braves.
The Delta Devils finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter at the 1:33 mark when quarterback Thurston Rubin hit wide receiver Booker Chambers with an 11 yard pass and with kicker Nicholas Jacque’s successful PAT the final score of the contest was 61-7, Braves.
Noah Johnson had a spectacular outing as he threw for 7 touchdowns and 285 yards and rushed for 65 yards. With the Jackson State University Tigers (3-5, 3-7) losing to the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs (4-5, 4-6) the Braves clinched their 3rd consecutive SWAC Eastern Division title.
The Braves’ next opponent will be Jackson State on November 19, 2016 at Spinks-Casem Stadium at 2:00 pm.