After a three-game losing skid the Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (4-5, 3-3) headed to Prairie View, Texas at Panther Stadium on a special Friday night game on November 4th at 6:30 pm to take on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Western Division leading Prairie View A&M University (PV) Panthers (5-4, 4-2) to secure a winning record for the 2022 season. It was somewhat of a difficult task, but the Braves prevailed in the end.
Braves’ Kicker Noah Kiani got Alcorn on the score board first in the first quarter at the 3:42 mark when he nailed a 21-yard field goal to make the score 3-0, Braves.
Due to the Brave’s sputtering offense, Kiani continued to be ‘Mr. Automatic’ when he hit a 46-yard field goal at the 13:48 mark and a 23-yard field goal at the 9:40 mark to give Alcorn a 9-0 lead going into the half.
Prairie View came out of the half with a shot of adrenaline in the third quarter at the 12:10 mark when Wide receiver Colby Washington caught a 24-yard pass from Quarterback Trazon Connley and with Kicker Luis Reyes’ extra point the score was now 9-7, Braves. Connley continued with his high-octane performance when he scored on a 20-yard run at the 5:12 mark but with a failed PAT (point after touchdown) by Reyes the score was 9-13, Panthers.
The fourth quarter was do-or-die for both teams as Reyes tacked on a 34-yard field goal at the 14:36 mark to make the score 9-16, Panthers. Alcorn responded at the 6:48 mark when Running back Javonta Leatherwood scored on a 5-yard run and with Kiani’s extra point the score which ended regulation was tied at 16.
The Braves entered overtime knowing a win would give them that momentum that they needed to finish off the season strong and they did just that when Howard scored on a 2-yard run and with Kiani’s extra point the final score was 16-23, Braves.
Statistically, the Braves had 16 first downs, 300 total yards of offense and 218-yards rushing. Quarterback Tre Lawrence was 7-22 for 82-yards, Howard had 29 carries for 125 yards and 1 touchdown and Wide Receiver C.J. Bolar had 2 receptions for 42 yards.
The Braves are back in action on Saturday, November 12th at 2:00 pm at Spinks-Casem Stadium when they take on the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats (2-7, 2-4). You can catch the game on WPRL 91.7 FM.
(Photo credit: Cedric Tillman)