Well the “Cardiac Kids” have done it again. The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (3-3, 2-1) got a sweet taste of home cooking when they held their Homecoming 2023 at Spinks-Casem Stadium on Saturday, September 7th at 2:30 pm against the Division leading Grambling State University (GSU) Tigers (3-3, 2-1) and let’s just say it was one of the most entertaining games in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) history.
This game was worth the price of admission from beginning to end. The first quarter saw the G-Men of Grambling get on the board first at the 12:46 mark when Defensive Lineman J’cobe Scott recovered a Brave fumble and scored and with Kicker Tanner Rinker’s extra point the score was 7-0, Tigers. The Braves bounced back at the 7:22 mark when Tight End Tavarious Griffin received a 15-yard pass from Quarterback Aaron Allen for a touchdown and with Kicker Noah Kiani’s extra point the score was now tied at 7. Alcorn turned right around and scored at the 6:04 mark when Linebacker Santonial Rice scored on an interception return but with a missed extra point by Kiani the score was now 7-13, Braves. Grambling, not to be undone, finished the quarter off strong when Running Back Floyd Chalk IV rumbled into the end zone at the 3:33 mark and with Rinker’s extra point the score was now 14-13, Braves.
The second quarter was a defensive battle for these two juggernauts as both teams went scoreless.
Now the third quarter, on the other hand, was full of exciting high jinks. Grambling’s Wide Receiver Lyndon Rash caught a 13-yard pass from Quarterback Myles Crawley at the 11:18 mark and with Rinker’s extra point the score was now 21-13, Tigers. With a quick turn around the Braves scored again at the 7:30 mark when Wide Receiver Anthony Williams caught a 20-yard pass from Allen but the extra point was missed making the score 21-19, Tigers. The G-Men ended the quarter with a score at the 2:58 mark when Rinker nailed a 27-yard field goal to make the score 24-19, Tigers.
In the fourth quarter every Braves’ fan was sitting on the edge of their seats to see the outcome of this game and miraculously Alcorn pulled it out at the 1:42 mark when Griffin caught a 15-yard pass for a touchdown from Allen to seal the win 24-25, Braves.
Statistical leaders for the contest were Allen who completed 20 passes for 248 yards for 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, Running Back Jarveon Howard had 48-yards rushing, Wide Receiver Malik Rodgers had 3 receptions for 80-yards and Defensive Back Edwin Summerour lead the defense with 7 tackles.
The Braves have a bye week next week but will be back in action on Saturday, October 21st at 2:00 pm against the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (1-4, 0-2) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at Simmons Bank Field. The game can be heard on WPRL 91.7 FM or wprl.org.
(Photo credit: Thaddus Mayberry)