Southern’s Bryant Lee took a knee on the final play of the game as time expired. Alcorn State players and coaches stood around with their heads high, on their way back to Lorman, Miss., winless.
Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins was forced to watch it all, awaiting Pete Richardson to emerge across the field to commend his victory.
The Braves had one last opportunity to recover an onside attempt, following a 79-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard score with 24 seconds remaining, and the Jaguars held on for a 48-42 victory Saturday night in A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Despite being on a two-game winning streak against the Braves, both games were decided with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
“They’re fundamentally sound on offense and defense. Their not going to take a lot of chances,” said coach Richardson. “Creatively, they gave us fits.”
Richardson’s team ranked top amongst Southwestern Athletic Conference teams in rushing heading into the game, averaging 190 yards per game. However, SU rushed for 73 yards on 30 attempts, averaging 2.4 yards per carry. Gary Hollimon showcased big-play ability with 66 yards of total offense and two scores.
“If we’re not averaging 250 yards, we’re never happy,” center Ramon Chinyoung said after the game. “Upfront as a o-line we want to run the ball, it shows how dominant we can be in the trenches.”
Fifteen years ago, NFL MVP Steve “Air II” McNair led Alcorn State to a 41-37 victory over reigning SWAC champion Southern. In a game televised by ESPN2, thousands of Braves fans screamed to the top of their lungs, as they watched McNair score the game-winning touchdown in Jack Spinks Stadium. Last season, SU’s Bryant Lee emerged as one of the premier quarterbacks in SWAC, throwing a 21-yard game-winning touchdown in a come-from-behind 15-12 victory in Lorman.
“It feels good,” Lee said.” “Just going out there and executing and when the defense is not doing good, the offense is doing a good job vise versa.”
Lee completed 19 of 35 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Juamorris Stewart for the game’s first score. Stewart caught 10 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
Curry Allen returned from an shoulder injury as a missing link in SU’s spread offense. Allen scored an 11-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
“The offensive line blocked great for us, the receivers found ways to get open and were able to read the defense real good and just made it easier for me,” said Lee.
SU (3-1,1-0) are preparing to travel to Jackson, Miss., to play host to Jackson State to extend their current win streak at four games.
SU, amongst the top defense in SWAC, had problems slowing down the passing attack of an offense that ranked nearly last in all of SWAC’s statistical areas. Also, the Braves were held scorless through two games this season, but redeemed themselves with 408 passing yards and five touchdowns.
SU were up 14-0 midway through the second quarter but began hurting themselves with mistakes, allowing a winless team that seemed to be no match for the highest scoring offense in SWAC. The Braves answered SU with two scores of their own before halftime, including a 73-yard touchdown pass from deep in their own territory.
Warren Matthews, a senior making his fourth career start at tight end, caught two passes for 71 yards and one touchdown.
“The coaches said do not take them lightly cause their not a push over team,” said Matthews. “You got to come with it and they came with it.”
SU’s Byron Williams scored a 91-yard kickoff return, the first since 2004, to attempt to put an exclamation mark on The Braves comeback attempt with 12:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Braves answered with two scores of their own to bring themselves within six with 4:36 seconds remaining.
SU’s offensive players quickly put on their helmets to avenge the score of Alcorn State. Moments later, Lee connected with Matthews for a 63-yard touchdown that added more pressure for the Braves offense.
The Braves added seven more points to the scoreboard but ran short of time to stage any comeback.
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Jaguars hold off Braves
September 28, 2009
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