Hard-work, dedication, commitment, pride, tradition, and winning; all words simulating Alcorn State University Football! If you are familiar with iconic phrases like “its SWAC time baby” or “he's tackled by a host of BRAVES” you are definitely embedded in the Alcorn tradition and yes you have guessed right….it's football season at Spinks-Casem Stadium!
ALCORN STATE, MS - Alcorn State University is thrilled to begin its 2012 football campaign at the Academic Resort on the Reservation! In hopes to restore the pride and winning tradition of the past, the Braves made adjustments within the football program personnel during the offseason. Launching this “new-era” was the historical hire of Head Football Coach Jay Hopson. Armed with a new staff, the Braves look to put the 2-8 record of the 2011 season behind them and capitalize upon the dawn of a new day, new era and revitalized vision; culminating with what some like to refer to as “restoration on the reservation.”
After dropping their first two games to Grambling State University and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, respectively, the Braves captured a 39-14 victory over in-state opponent Mississippi Valley State University. The team suffered defeats from conference opponents, Texas Southern University and Alabama State University before securing a 58-16 win over Concordia (Selma) for Alcorn State's homecoming.
Southern University, Alabama A&M University and Prairie View A&M University each handed the team blows as the Braves attempted to find their footing during the season.
Alcorn State ended the season with a 51-7 loss against arch-nemesis Jackson State University at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the Capital City Classic.
While the 2-8 record does not depict a great 2011 campaign, the Braves were ranked in the top 5 in the following categories in the SWAC: field goals (6-9 FG/FGA), kick-off returns average (20.7 ypg), interceptions (14), and punt return average (15.8 ypg).
Offense
Quarterbacks
Junior Darius Smith had a great spring showing to provide the team with a steady signal caller.
Last season, Smith saw action in all 10 contests and had a 91.33 efficiency rating while completing 69 passes of 180 attempts. The Mansfield, Texas native also recorded five touchdowns and ran in one touchdown.
Freshman Brandon Vessel (Baton Rouge, LA) showed steady improvement while learning in the wings and taking reps during spring training.
Signees John Gibbs (Houston, TX) and Jordan Payne (Racine, WI) are also looking to make their mark in the Alcorn State football program.
With the offensive schematics being installed, fans can anticipate a quarterback battle in two-a-days as Coach Hopson looks for his go-to guy to anchor the offense this upcoming season.
Wide Receivers
Senior Terrance Lewis (Fort Myers, FL) looks to complete his collegiate career on a high note. During the 2011 season, Lewis garnered 28 receptions for 489 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Braves in receiving.
Returning to join Lewis in the receiver corp with additional speed and good hands will be Rodney Whitmore (Mansfield, TX), Marti' Shelby (Clinton, MS), Tollette George (New Orleans, LA), Tavoris Doss (Memphis, TN) who combined for 20 catches for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
Running Backs
Junior Arnold Walker (Atlanta, GA) and sophomore Anthony Williams (Jeanerette, LA) put up solid numbers last season and have high expectations to build on their momentum. The duo collectively produced 931 yards on the ground off 193 attempts and four touchdowns.
Offensive Line
With the departure of veterans Isaac Williams, Avis Shelton and Keyun Swinney on the offensive line, Alcorn State will rely heavily on the talents of Jacody Rose (New Orleans, LA), Brandon McDowell (McComb, MS), Johnathan Scott (Woodville, MS), David Henderson (Vicksburg, MS), Cornelius Brown (Greenville, SC) and Iskeli Ongosia (Olosega Manu'a, American Samoa) to help create stability on the front line. Joining the vets will be incoming freshmen Michael Minton (Cantonment, FL), Jeffrey Reno (Port Arthur, TX), Gunnar Gazar (Lumberton, MS) Willie Wells, Jr. (Memphis, TN) and Isaac Sampson (Mobile, AL).
Defense
Line Backers
Junior William Thomas (Thomasville, GA) enjoyed a sophomore season in which he recorded 66 tackles (39 unassisted, 27 assisted), 9 tackles for loss for 55 yards, 3 sacks for 25 yards and 1 interception for 45 yards.
Senior Robert Gainwell (Yazoo City, MS) is seeking to close out his final year at Alcorn State on a high note. Gainwell posted 44 tackles, 8 tackles for loss with 29 yards and 2 sacks for 14 yards last season.
Defensive Backs
Sophomore Casey Freeman (Milton, FL) is seeking to capitalize on a freshman season. Freeman led the team in interceptions with 3 picks for 48 yards. He also was ranked third in tackles with 66 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss with 7 yards. Brandon Thompson (Tylertown, MS), Jacques Caldwell (Dallas, TX) and Jamison Knox (Memphis, TN) will also provide the secondary with veteran leadership.
Defensive Line
Special Teams
Arturo Tamayo's void will leave huge shoes to fill as the Braves search for a kicker and punter to help orchestrate a sound and effective game plan.
Terrance Lewis will continue to be a force as a kickoff and punt return specialist for the Braves. Lewis produced outstanding numbers as a member of the special teams' crew recording 12 punt returns for 157 yards and 1 touchdown while capturing 21 kick returns for 492 yards and 2 touchdowns. For his tremendous effort, Lewis was named to the 2011 Beyond Sports College Network All-American (3rd Team).
The Schedule
The 2012 schedule will feature two new opponents, James Madison University and Arkansas State University.
To kick-off the 2012 football campaign, the Braves will open the season in Shreveport, Louisiana against Grambling State University on September 1 in the Port City Classic. On September 8, the team will travel to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to face the Dukes of James Madison University. The Alcorn State Braves will open their home season against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions on September 15. The Braves will face the Red Wolves of Arkansas State on September 22 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Homecoming will feature the Hornets of Alabama State University, a division rival contest on September 29.
On October 6, the Braves will face the Jaguars of Southern University. The Braves will go play back to back road contests against Southwestern Athletic Conference opponents Alabama A&M Bulldogs on October 13 and the Prairie View A&M Panthers on October 20.
Alcorn State football will wrap up the final month of the regular season action with a road trip to the Devil's Den in Itta Bena, Mississippi, to face rival Mississippi Valley State University on November 3. The Braves will host their final home game on November 10 as they host the Tigers of Texas Southern University. For the final contest of the regular season, the Braves will host arch-rival Jackson State University on November 17 in what many have deemed “the return of the Soul Bowl” at the Spinks-Casem Stadium on the Lorman campus.
Head Coach
On May 28, 2012, Jay Hopson was introduced as the 18th Head Football Coach at Alcorn State University. With Hopson taking the helm of the Braves football program, he became the first non-African American coach to hold this title in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and at Alcorn State.
“The future for Alcorn football is bright and I am excited that Coach Hopson will lead us forward,” said ASU President M. Christopher Brown II.
Hopson is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi and was a four year letter winner as a defensive back at the University of Mississippi 1988-91. During his matriculation at Ole Miss, he was named to the Academic All-SEC four times, and was also a member of the CoSIDA District VI Academic All-America team in 1991.
He received a bachelor degree in business administration from Ole Miss and a master's degree in health, physical education and recreation from Delta State University.
The newly appointed football coach's first order of business is putting intricate pieces of his staffing puzzle together and getting acquainted with the team.
As a coach, he received All-American Football Foundation Top Assistant Coach Honor in 2007. Coach Hopson brings experience from Marshall, Delta State, Southern Mississippi, Michigan and Memphis.
Coaching Staff
Not long after taking over the ASU football program, Hopson hired Alcornite and older brother of Alcorn great Steve “Air II” McNair, Fred McNair. Fred returns to the “Reservation” from Collins High School in Mississippi as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.
In addition, Hopson hired Willie Simmons from Middle Tennessee State University as the offensive coordinator, Doc Gamble from the University of Cincinnati who will serve as the running backs/tight ends coach and rounding off the offense unit is veteran offensive line coach Mark McHale, joining Braves football with over 39 years of coaching experience to include stints with Bobby Bowden at Florida State.
Leading the defense is Tony Pecoraro from North Alabama; who serves as defensive coordinator for the Braves. Also joining the defensive unit is Ralph Street of Air Force who will take over as the defensive line coach, and Cedric Thomas from Mississippi Delta Community College who will serve as the defensive backs coach. The last piece to Hopson's staffing puzzle is linebackers coach Wes Turner, he is set to arrive on campus in July.
