The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (5-2, 4-0) marched into BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas to spar against the Texas Southern University (TSU) Tigers (1-5, 1-3) looking to inch closer to obtaining the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s (SWAC) Western Division title. The contest between the two titans was scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm but due to a lightning delay it didn’t begin until 8:30 pm.
The Braves jumped out of the gate early in the first quarter when defensive back Taurence Wilson blocked a Tigers’ punt at the 8:28 mark and took it in for 6 and with kicker Markevion Quinn’s extra point the score was 7-0, Braves. Alcorn scored again at the 3:47 mark when wide receiver LaCharles Pringle scored on a 17-yard run but the PAT (Point After Attempt) was no good by Quinn, therefore, making the score 13-0, Braves. The Tigers got on the board at the 2:57 mark when wide receiver Ke’Lenn Davis caught a 59-yard pass from quarterback Andrew Body and with kicker Richard Garcia’s extra point the score was 13-7, Braves.
ASU’s offense seemed to somewhat sputter in the second quarter as they mustered only one score when wide receiver CJ Bolar caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Felix Harper and with Quinn’s extra point the score was now 20-7, Braves. Texas Southern’s offense, on the other hand, seemed to flourish as they scored twice in the quarter making the score 20-17, Braves, at halftime.
The Braves seemed motivated as they scored first in the third quarter when wide receiver Juan Anthony Jr. caught a 14-yard pass from Harper at the 8:50 mark and with Quinn’s PAT the score was 27-17, Braves, but the Tigers were not to be outdone as they scored at the 4:46 mark when Garcia nailed a 32-yard field goal to make the score 27-20, Braves.
Alcorn went into a frenzy in the fourth quarter scoring 3 times making the score 44-20, Braves. TSU scored one final time at the 2:09 mark when running back Dominic Franklin scored on a 20-yard run to the end zone and with Garcia’s extra point the final score was 44-27, Braves.
Statistical leaders were Harper who completed 23 of 31 passes for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns, running back Stafford Anderson had 21 carries for 90 yards and Bolar had 7 receptions for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Braves’ next opponent will be the Southern University Jaguars (3-4, 2-2) on October 30th at 6:00 pm in Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
