ITTA BENA, MS--The Alcorn State football team traveled to the heartland of the Magnolia state…the Mississippi Delta over the weekend to take on the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. The Braves were charged with developing and executing an efficient game plan as they entered unchartered territory; facing the number one defense in the conference and number three defense in the FCS. Though both teams have seen their sparks of success and glimpse of improvement this season it was the Delta Devils topping the Braves 33-9 in a thriller in the flatlands.
The first quarter of action was all MVSU being led by Trey Bateaste. In seven plays, fifty-eight yards he found the end zone putting the Delta Devils up 6-0 after a failed point after attempt by Kevin Monzon with 9:31 on the clock. Shortly thereafter, Bateaste struck again on a four yard run into the end zone…a scoring drive that included six plays, twenty-seven yards in 2:56. At the 3:14 mark Mississippi Valley was leading the Braves 13-0.
The Braves showed signs of life in the second quarter striking early with a field goal from Earnesto Santillian after fifteen plays and sixty-three yards. With 11:55 on the clock the Braves were fighting back with a score of 13-3. Alcorn State offense was clicking on all cylinders whereas the ground game was charging full force ahead then running back
Joe Price went down with an ankle injury, leaving the Braves offensive weapons arsenal one man down. With the threat of having a scoreless quarter on their shoulders the Delta Devils fed their unstoppable work horse, Bateaste, as he trotted into the end zone on a six yard run. At the 4:32 mark the Braves were down 20-3. This would also serve as the last scoring drive of the quarter; hence a 17 point deficit for the Braves at the half.
The Braves hit the sidelines hopeful and re-energized after the half. The defense held their own as they managed to almost post a scoreless quarter for the Delta Devils. However, Garrick Jones reached the end zone on a sixteen yard run after three plays and fifteen yards with 0:09 left in the third, rendering a 27-3 score at the end of three.
With all fours in the air, Alcorn State rallied in the fourth quarter with a positive showing on offense and defense. Rookie quarterback
John Gibbs connected with
Anthony Williams III on a fifty-eight yard pass with a scoring drive that resulted in three plays and eighty-one yards in 0:36. With forty-seven seconds left in the game the Braves were down 27-9. To add an exclamation point to the game after a short kick by Santillan, the Delta Devils' Cortez Frizell rushed for a forty-five yard touchdown with 0:36 left in the game. The final from Rice-Totten Stadium was 33-9.
Although the Braves have experienced some success and disappointments this season they have been consistently improving and exciting to watch each week. They are now one game (3-6) better than they were last year (2-8) with two games remaining in the season, both of which will be played on campus at Spinks-Casem Stadium. Alcorn State is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Division standings, one above Mississippi Valley State. With wins against Texas Southern University and Jackson State University, the Braves could finish the season an impressive 5-6 under newly appointed head coach
Jay Hopson; drastic improvement from the previous season giving the fact the coaches didn't go through spring training with the team due to late hires (July 2012).
Alcorn State will be back in action this weekend at home as they host Texas Southern University for High School Day. Kick-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.
For more information on the Braves follow us on Facebook at Alcorn State University Braves and on Twitter @AlcornStBraves. As always, you can find in depth information regarding all sport programs at www.alcornsports.com.
