The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (0-2, 0-0) knew that their backs were up against the wall and that they needed to show up and show out against the McNeese State University Cowboys (0-2, 0-0) on Saturday, September 16th at Spinks-Casem Stadium at 6:00 pm. The Braves left it all out on the field and their determination was stellar as it brought them that much deserved first win of the season against McNeese State, 30-19.
The first quarter was scoreless as both teams were getting a feel for one another, but the Braves turned into a scoring juggernaut in the second quarter.
The first points of the game came at the 11:20 mark when Running back Niko Duffy scored on a 13-yard run and with Kicker Noach Kiani’s extra point the score was 7-0, Braves. Alcorn Running Back Jarveon Howard scored at the 6:06 mark on an 11-yard jolt to pay dirt and with Kiani’s extra point the score was now 14-0, Braves. ASU scored yet again at the 3:36 mark when Wide Receiver Monterio Hunt caught an 89-yard pass from Quarterback Aaron Allen and with Kiani’s extra point the score was 21-0. The Cowboys got on the scoreboard with 33 seconds remaining in the half when Kicker Garrison Smith kicked a 24-yarder making the score 21-3, Braves.
The Cowboys must have gotten a good old fashioned verbal tongue lashing at halftime because they came out in the third quarter reenergized. McNeese got on the board at the 13:40 mark when Running Back D’Angelo Durham scampered into the end zone on a 14-yard run and with Smith’s extra point the score was 21-10, Braves. The Braves tacked on 3 more points at the 2:48 mark when Kiani booted a 29-yard field goal making the score 24-10, Braves. The Cowboys scored with 39 seconds left in the quarter when Wide Receiver Kameran Senegal caught a 21-yard pass from Quarterback Knox Kadum and with Smith’s successful extra point the score was 24-17, Braves.
ASU scored early in the fourth at the 13:41 mark when Kiani booted a 38-yard field goal making the score 27-17, Braves. Later at the 11:16 mark the Cowboys got a safety making the score 27-19, Braves. Alcorn, with the game well in hand, scored for the final time in the contest at the 6:32 mark when Kiani nailed a 21-yard field goal making the final score 30-19, Braves.
Statistical leaders for the Braves were Allen who was 15 out of 27 for 189 yards and 1 touchdown, Running Back Javonta Leatherwood had 11 carries for 80 yards, Hunt had 1 reception for 89-yards and 1 touchdown and Defensive Backs Tavarian McCullum and Ernest Woods III each had one interception.
Alcorn’s next opponent will be West Division leading Prairie View A&M Panthers (1-2, 1-0) on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:00 pm in Spinks-Casem Stadium. The game can be heard on WPRL 91.7 FM and wprl.org.
(Photo credit: Cedric Tillman)
