The Alcorn State University Braves (ASU) (2-2, 1-0) got a chance to enjoy some home cooking at Spinks-Casem Stadium on Saturday, September 24th as they took on the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB) Golden Lions (2-2, 0-1) at 6:00 pm. The Braves went looking for their first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) win of the young football season and found it.
Alcorn’s swagger in the first quarter was reminiscent of past teams as they scored on the first play of the game at the 14:42 mark when Running back Jarveon Howard scored on a 45-yard run and with Kicker Noah Kiani’s extra point the score was 7-0, Braves. UAPB answered at the 7:08 mark when Running back Kayvon Britten scored on a 2-yard run and with Kicker Christofer Thompson’s PAT (point after attempt) the score was now tied at 7.
The Golden Lions kept applying the pressure in the second quarter as Britten scored again at the 8:45 mark, this time on a 3-yard run and with Thompson’s extra point the score was now 14-7, Golden Lions. The Braves scored late in the quarter with 4 seconds remaining when Kiani kicked a 42-yard field goal making the score 14-10, Golden Lions.
UAPB opened up the third quarter when Quarterback Skyler Perry scored on a 1-yard run at the 9:35 mark and with Thompson’s PAT the score was now 21-10, Golden Lions. The Braves, sensing a need to step up their performance, scored two touchdowns, both by Howard, on an 11-yard and 24-yard run and with 2 successful Kiani extra points the score was now 24-21, Braves.
ASU showed their dominance in the fourth quarter as it became a showcase of Running backs. Howard scored yet again at the 4:47 mark on a 78-yard run and with Kiani’s extra point the score was now 31-21, Braves. The final score of the game came from Running back Javonta Leatherwood when he scored at the 2:55 mark on a 7-yard run and with Kiani’s successful extra point the final score was 38-21, Braves.
Offensive statistical leaders were Quarterback Aaron Allen who was 18 of 23 for 84-yards, Howard had 24 rushes for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns and Wide receiver Akeem McNair had 2 receptions for 21 yards. Alcorn had 470 total yards while UAPB had 266.
The Braves next game will be Saturday, October 8th at Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, Mississippi at 6:00 pm against the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (0-4, 0-1). You can listen to the game on wprl.org or WPRL 91.7 FM.