Southern Squashes Alcorn's Comeback, Takes Over SWAC West Lead

Southern Jaguars blazed to a 14-0 lead over Alcorn State on a touchdown pass to Pitre III and a 36-yard rushing score from the freshman running back Karl Ligon. 

The Braves answered with a 75-yard drive on ten plays when Allen targeted Malik Rodgers for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Kiani booted the extra point to move within seven at 14-7.

McCray returned to work and guided the Jags on an 8-play, 90-yard drive to expand Southern's lead to 21-7.

Aaron Allen's carved into the 14-point lead on a gorgeous throw to Monterio Hunt, who made a dazzling one-handed touchdown reception. The score gave the Braves momentum going into halftime down by seven, 21-14.

Both squads went scoreless in the third quarter as Alcorn dominated the stanza with a 14-play possession that burned 7:46 on the clock. The Braves placekicker Kiani missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt. 

Southern could not move the football and punted at the quarter's end with the score still standing at 21-14.

Alcorn began the 4th quarter on its 26-yard line and marched down inside the ten-yard line. Allen could not connect with his receivers, and the Braves settled for 3 points from Kiani to creep closer, 21-17, with 10:25 left in the match.

Southern patiently moved into Alcorn's territory, but a series of holding penalties affected their drive, and were forced to punt with 4:41 remaining on the clock.

Alcorn scored just 3 points on two lengthy 14-play drives in the second half. Could the Braves mount a comeback starting at their 14-yard line against a weary Jaguars defense?

McNair used his huge offensive line to get the football into the Trident Rushing Attack.   

On 4th and 2, the Jaguars stopped the Braves' Howard a half-yard short of the first down.  Credit the Southern defense to make a final stand and defend their turf at Mumford Stadium.

Southern ran out the clock and dispatched Alcorn State 21-17 to take over the SWAC West division.

Top Performances

Southern

• QB Besean McCray: 12/17, 2 TD, 1 INT; 8 rushes, 27 yards
• WR August Pitre III: 4 rec., 127 yards, 1 TD
• RB Karl Ligon: 16 rushes, 99 yards, 1 TD

Alcorn State

• Aaron Allen: 17/26, 2 TD, 1 INT; 8 rushes, 12 yards
• WR Malik Rodgers: 6 rec., 83 yards, 1 TD
• RB Jarveon Howard: 22 rushes, 84 yards

Key Points

• 3rd Quarter woes by Southern after controlling the game in the first half.  
• Alcorn has red zone issues.  
• Two 14-play drives in the second half yielded only 3 points for Alcorn.
• The height and length of the Southern University's receivers gave Alcorn's defensive backs problems.
• Southern's penalties kept Alcorn in the contest.
• Ballard tackled and injured Besean McCray which hampered his 3rd-quarter production.
• Alcorn missed a 46-yard field goal.

Who's Next

VA Lynchburg marches into Baton Rouge to play the Jaguars at 4 PM CT on Oct. 22.  Alcorn will host Texas Southern for Homecoming at 2 PM CT on Oct. 22 in a SWAC West showdown.