The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (4-3, 3-1) were looking to spoil the Homecoming football game for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions (1-6, 0-4) at Simmons Bank Field on Saturday, October 21st at 2:00 pm. On the line was first place in the Western Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and a chance to put everyone on notice that the Braves were legit contenders for the title.
The first quarter remained scoreless as both teams were feeling each other out but that was definitely not the case in the second quarter.
The second quarter began and the Braves put up the game’s first points at the 13:02 mark when Tight End Tavari Griffin caught a 38-yard pass from Quarterback Aaron Allen and with Kicker Noah Kiani’s successful extra point the score was 7-0, Braves. Alcorn scored again at the 10:28 mark when Wide Receiver Akeem McNair caught a 4-yard pass from Allen and with Kiani’s extra point the score was now 14-0, Braves. The Golden Lions finally got on the board at the 5:27 mark when Wide Receiver Chryst Cochran caught a 26-yard pass from Quarterback Chance Edwards and with Kicker Dean Sarris’ extra point the score was now 14-7, Braves. ASU was not done scoring in the quarter. With 32 seconds left before halftime Allen scored on a 2-yard run and with Kiani’s extra point the score was 21-7, Braves.
The third quarter saw a defensive struggle between the two teams but ASU managed to score at the 1:04 mark when Running Back Jarveon Howard scored on a 2-yard run and with Kiani’s extra point the score was now 28-7, Braves.
Entering the fourth quarter the Braves scored one last time at the 11:26 mark to secure the game when Kiani kicked a 35-yard field goal right between the uprights to make the score 31-7, Braves.
Statistical leaders for the Braves had Allen completing 14 of 26 passes for 219-yards, Howard had 14 carries for 155-yards while Wide Receiver Anthony Williams, Jr. had 3 catches for 65-yards. Defensively, Defensive Lineman Malachi Bailey had 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
The Braves’ next opponent will be the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (1-6, 1-3) in Lorman, Mississippi on Saturday, October 28th at 2:00 pm. You can hear the game at WPRL 91.7 FM or wprl.org.
(Photo Credit: alcornsports on Instagram)
