Football | 10/7/2016 9:58:00 AM

Braves Resume SWAC Play with Pivotal East Division Matchup

Alcorn Game Notes

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Wrapping up a three-game road swing, the Alcorn State University football program will continue SWAC competition Saturday when it travels to face Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. in an East Division game at Louis Crews Stadium.
 
It marks the second East Division match for the Braves (1-3, 1-2 SWAC) who defeated Alabama State 21-18 in their first on Sept. 10. The Bulldogs (1-4, 1-3 SWAC) also won their lone division game with a 35-16 result over Mississippi Valley State on that same date.
 
Alcorn has excelled on the ground this year, averaging 179.2 rushing yards per game. It has rushed for at least 155 yards in every game this year including last week at No. 20 Arkansas. Individually, junior Arron Baker ranks second in the conference with 87.0 rushing yards per outing.
 
The Braves are still determining who their starting quarterback will be Saturday. Junior Lenorris Footman hurt his ankle in the season opener and will be a game time decision. Redshirt-freshman Noah Johnson has since taken over and has rushed for five touchdowns and thrown for four this year.
 
Defensively, Alcorn is led by senior Darien Anderson who leads the SWAC in sacks (1.75 spg) and ranks third in tackles (8.5 tpg). He was named Hero of the Week by HERO Sports on Friday, Sept. 30 after a monster performance at Grambling State which included 12 tackles and a career-high four sacks.
 
The Bulldogs are also strong on the ground as Jordan Bentley and De'Angelo Balla combine for 135.2 rushing yards per outing. Balla has also thrown for over 1,100 yards so far on the year.
 
AAMU is looking to snap a three-game conference skid with losses to Prairie View A&M (41-20), Southern (59-31) and Texas Southern (34-31).
 
Saturday's contest can be heard via radio on 91.7 WPRL FM with play-by-play voice Charles Edmond on the call.
 
NOTES
- Alcorn is going for its third straight win over the Bulldogs after posting a 44-10 win at home last year and a 41-14 victory on the road in 2014. The Braves have not lost at Alabama A&M since 2008.
 
- Alcorn has won five of its last six SWAC road games dating back to last season when it finished 5-0 away from home in conference play.
 
- The Braves are just one game out of first place in the SWAC East Division. They trail Jackson State which has the weekend off. AAMU is a half game behind the Braves.
 
- Alcorn sits at No. 10 in the BOXTOROW HBCU Top-10 Rankings. The Braves, who have been ranked in the poll each week this year, have been as high as No. 2 this season.
 
- The Braves have been sacked just three times this season, the fewest in the league. On the flip side, the Alcorn defense has registered 14 sacks through four games which is second in the conference.
 
- Senior wide receiver Jaborian McKenzie ranks second in the league with 7.0 receptions per game. The big-play threat averages 11.2 yards per catch. He grabbed seven receptions for 88 yards last week at Arkansas.
 
- Junior Daniel Franklin recorded a career-high 11 tackles last week at Arkansas. He ranks seventh in the SWAC with 7.5 tackles per outing.
 
- Senior Haiden McCraney boomed a 70-yard punt two weeks ago at Grambling State, which is the longest in the SWAC this season. It was the second-longest of his career after he blasted a 77-yarder last year against Concordia.
 
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