After fighting through a tumultuous week, the Alcorn State University Braves (ASU) (1-2, 0-0) took on the South Alabama Jaguars (3-0,0-0) in Hancock Whitney Stadium in what many would call a valiant effort by two evenly matched teams.
In the first quarter the Jaguars’ defense and offense looked impressive as they were the only team to score when running back Kareem Walker put points on the score board with a 1-yard run at the 2:11 mark and with kicker Diego Guajardo’s extra point the score was 7-0, South Alabama.
The second quarter was all Alcorn as the Braves scored twice, first at the 6:50 mark when long snapper Jason Longcor scored on a fumble return and with kicker Christopher Thompson’s PAT (point after attempt) the score was tied at 7. Five minutes later at the 1:49 mark ASU scored yet again when running back Javonta Leatherwood scampered into the end zone and with Thompson’s extra point the score was now 7-14, Braves.
The Jaguars dominated the third quarter by scoring 21 unanswered points. The first came at the 12:12 mark when Walker scored on a 13-yard run and with Guajardo’s PAT the score was tied at 14. South Alabama had more left in the tank as Walker scored yet again, this time with a 35-yard run at the 10:27 mark and with Guajardo’s extra point the score was now 21-14, Jaguars. The nail in the coffin for Alcorn came at the 3:37 mark when running back Bryan Hill hit pay dirt on an 11-yard run and with Guajardo’s PAT the score was now 28-14, Jaguars.
In the fourth quarter Alcorn was able to muster another touchdown at the 14:19 mark when wide receiver Juan Anthony Jr. caught a 2-yard pass from quarterback Felix Harper and with a Thompson extra point the final score was 28-21, Jaguars.
The Braves had 297 total yards with one turnover while the Jaguars had 394 total yards with 4 turnovers. Alcorn dominated the Time of Possession stat with 32:00 minutes while South Alabama controlled the ball for 27 minutes and 57 seconds. The Braves finished the game with 13 1st downs while the Jaguars finished with 22.
Alcorn doesn’t have any time to sit back and wallow in self pity as they have a turnaround game on Thursday, September 23rd against Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponent the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (1-1,0-0) at 6:00 pm in Simmons Bank Field (formerly Golden Lions Stadium). This game will begin SWAC play for both teams and it will be televised on ESPNU.
