Braves take care of business with season opening win over No. 17 Grambling State, 34-23

Robert Lester paced the Braves offensive attack with a career best 106 rushing yards.

Box Score

GRAMBLING, La. – The final score did no justice as to how much of a lopsided game it actually was, as Alcorn State handed the No. 17 ranked Grambling State Tigers an earth shattering 34-23 loss. Grambling scored twice in the waning minutes of the game, but too little too late as Alcorn State won its first game over GSU since 1997.

            As with Jackson State to end the season, seventh year head coach Dr. Johnny Thomas earned his first career victory over the Tigers as the Braves won their six straight contest, dating back to last season.

            ASU got on the board on its first possession of the game at the 8:33 mark with senior running back Robert Lester capping an eight play, 79-yard scoring drive with a nine-yard touchdown run down the far sideline, in which he eluded three would-be tacklers prior to taking a plunge for the goal line.

            The Tigers narrowed the deficit to four via taking advantage of good field position after recovering a botched quarterback-center exchange on the ASU 24 yard line. But the young Alcorn defense, that was questioned and doubted in the off season stood strong facing their first dose of adversity, holding GSU to just three points. Brian Morgan made good on a 29-yard field goal attempt to put the Tigers on the board.

It would be a long time before Grambling scored again as Alcorn State hushed the capacity crowd in the opening minutes of the second quarter as junior kicker David McConnell put the Braves back up by seven points with a 35-yard field goal conversion.

            After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, Alcorn found themselves back in business exactly two minutes and fifty seconds later as Lester again found pay dirt, this time for a 16 yard score to give Alcorn a 10-point cushion with 4:24 remaining in the first half. Exceptional field position was set up by senior return man Lonnie Teagle, whose 21 yard punt return placed Alcorn on the GSU 24-yard line to start the drive.

            Heisman trophy candidate Bruce Eugene attempted to get his team back in the game in the final minutes of the half, but the Tigers 39-yard drive came to a halt when true freshman JoJuan Johnson striped him of the ball from behind on a rush attempt, which was recovered by senior safety Victor Alexandrea.

            The Braves put the Tigers in captivity on Grambling’s first offensive possession of the third quarter as sophomore cornerback Taurian Parks stuck a dagger in the heart of GSU fans with a 97 yard interception return for a touchdown to give Alcorn an astounding 24-3 lead.

            The next offensive possession spelled disaster for Eugene as his rush of 39 yards resulted in a game ending injury following a violent collision with linebackers Dwan Wilson and Tavari Hughes on his way out of bounds.

            GSU’s twelve play, 51-yard drive stalled at the Alcorn 20-yard line, as the Braves forced a turnover on downs.

            In the fourth, McConnell added to the lead with a 25-yard chip shot to up the ante to 27-3. On the ensuing kickoff, Grambling earned its first touchdown of the season as Lewis Carter returned it 95 yards to the house with 13:43 remaining in the contest.

Much to the chagrin of Grambling fans, Alcorn wiped away any hopes of the witnessing a rally with a seven play, 84-yard drive capped with the first Donald Carrie to Charlie Spiller touchdown connection of the season. This particular score was a 34-yard touchdown reception to give the Braves a resounding 34-11 lead.

            The “G-men” scored twice more to end conclude the evenings scoring on the second team units as Brandon Landers connected with Carter for a 16 yard score. Lander later scored via a 17-yard rush with 1:13 left.

            Lester rushed for a new career high 106 yards on 13 carries and two scores. Red shirt freshman Vernardus Cooper was impressive in his Alcorn debut with eight rushes for 39 yards, including a long of 22. True freshman Michael Sheppard also saw some touches in the fourth quarter. He rushed for 27 yards on five attempts.

The quarterback duel went the way of Carrie who finished 17-of-27 on the night for 276 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Eugene, who was carted off the field in the third quarter with what appeared to be a knee injury, was 13-of-29 for 169 yards.

The dynamic duo of Nate Hughes and Spiller combined for their largest total of their careers with 212 receiving yards and one score. Spiller, who scored the lone receiving touchdown for the Braves, registered a career best six receptions for 105 yards. Hughes had four receptions for 107 yards.

Defensively, linebackers Leo Nobles and Wilson, whom recorded 12 and 10 tackles, respectively, led Alcorn State. J. Johnson and Alexandrea managed six stops each.

Alcorn State will look to extend it six game-win streak as the Braves host another ranked opponent in defending Mid-eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion, North Carolina A&T at Jack Spinks Stadium on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.