On Thursday, August 28th the Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (0-0, 0-1) kicked off the 2025 football season against the Northwestern State University (NWSU) Demons (0-0, 1-0) at Harry “Rags” Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana with a 7:00 pm kickoff.
In the first quarter Northwestern hit lightning immediately at the 13:53 mark when Wide Receiver Ty Moore caught a 15-yard pass from Quarterback Abram Johnston. Kicker Grayson Lytton missed the extra point making the score 6-0, Demons. NWSU was relentless in their scoring prowess when Moore, at the 7:44 mark, scored yet again on an 8-yard punt return with Lytton successfully completing the PAT (Point After Touchdown) making the score 13-0, Demons. This would remain the score until halftime.
The Braves came out of the locker room in the third quarter with a rejuvenated spirit as Cornerback Orlandus McLaurin, at the 13:53 mark, intercepted a Demon’s pass and took it 72-yards to paydirt and with Kicker Grandin Willcox’s extra point the score was now 13-7, Demons. With 34 seconds left in the third, Willcox nailed a 51-yard field goal making the score 13-10, Demons.
Unfortunately for the Braves their comeback was too little, too late as Northwestern’s Tight End Ryan Tyler scored on a 1-yard run into the Endzone at the 9:06 mark and with Lytton’s extra point the final score was 20-10, Demons.
The Braves had 301 total yards with 182 yards passing and 119 rushing yards. Alcorn had 15 penalties for 123 yards.
ASU’s next game will be against the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0) on Saturday, September 6th at 6:00 pm in Huntsville, Alabama in Louis Crews Stadium.
