Football | 11/11/2016 9:14:00 AM

Braves Make Short Trip North to Face MVSU

Alcorn Game Notes

ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Alcorn State University football program will play its first of two in-state, SWAC East Division contests when it travels to Mississippi Valley State for a 1 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium.
 
Alcorn (3-5, 3-4 SWAC) remains on top of the division standings. It can clinch the SWAC East Division title this weekend with a win and a Jackson State (3-6, 3-4 SWAC) loss. Jackson State hosts Alabama A&M (3-6, 3-5 SWAC). Alcorn and JSU will meet in the regular season finale on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. in Lorman.
 
If Alcorn wins and JSU losses, the Braves would hold the tiebreaker even if they lose to the Tigers the following weekend. The scenario would create a three-team tie between Alcorn, JSU and AAMU at 4-5. Alcorn and AAMU would be 3-1 in the division, while JSU would be 2-2. The tiebreak procedure would then start over between Alcorn and AAMU, and the Braves won head-to-head. Alcorn also holds the four-team tiebreak with JSU, AAMU and Alabama State (3-6, 3-5 SWAC) if ASU defeats Grambling (7-1, 6-0 SWAC) this weekend and ends 4-5.
 
If Alcorn losses to MVSU, it can still win the division with a victory over JSU the following weekend regardless of all other outcomes.
 
The Braves have yet to name a starting quarterback for Saturday's contest. Junior Lenorris Footman left last weekend after a hand injury that occurred in the second quarter. Freshman Noah Johnson entered in relief and ran for three touchdowns despite a tough 31-27 loss at Prairie View A&M.
 
MVSU (1-8, 1-6 SWAC) is coming off its first win of the season after thumping Arkansas-Pine Bluff 41-7 last weekend. Sophomore quarterback Slade Jarman threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 76 yards.
 
Wide receiver Joshua Banks is the team's top threat with 608 receiving yards and five touchdowns on the year. He registered 108 receiving yards and a touchdown last weekend against UAPB.
 
Defensively, the Delta Devils ranks second in the SWAC in interceptions with 10 this year. Sophomore Farrean Toney leads the team with four picks.
 
The game can be heard via radio on 91.7 WPRL FM with Charles Edmond as the voice of the Braves.
 
NOTES
- The Braves look to remain undefeated against the SWAC East Division this season after already defeating Alabama State 21-18 and Alabama A&M 42-19. Alcorn has won six consecutive games against the SWAC East Division dating back to last year.
 
- Alcorn is seeking its fourth consecutive win over MVSU. The Braves won 55-14 last year, 52-9 in 2014 and 35-28 in 2013.
 
- The Braves have rushed for at least 155 yards in seven of their eight games this season, including at No. 20 Arkansas. In Alcorn's last outing, it ran for 256 yards at PVAMU. The Braves average 199.5 rushing yards per game on the year.
 
- Senior Darien Anderson was named to the Buck Buchanan Watch List this week which is awarded to the best defensive player in FCS. He's one of seven players on the list. Anderson ranks third in FCS and first in the conference in sacks with 1.25 per game. He's also 11th in FCS in tackles for a loss (1.9) and top-25 in solo tackles (5.3). Anderson was named Hero of the Week by HERO Sports on Friday, Sept. 30 after a monster performance against Grambling State which included 12 tackles and a career-high four sacks.
 
- Alcorn ranks second in FCS in kick return defense, allowing just 15.52 yards per return.
 
- The Braves rank 18th in FCS in sacks allowed, giving up just 1.13 per contest. On the flip side, the Alcorn defense has recorded 21 sacks - third most in the SWAC - resulting in negative 140 yards.
 
- Johnson and Footman are the only two players in the SWAC to rush for three touchdowns in two different games. Footman did it against Alabama A&M and Southern, while Johnson did it vs. UAPB and PVAMU.
 
- Senior defensive back Daniel Franklin and senior linebacker Michael Hurns are tied for seventh in the SWAC with 7.1 tackles per outing. Franklin wrapped up a career-high 11 tackles at No. 20 Arkansas, while Hurns recorded a career-high 12 tackles against Alabama State in the SWAC opener.
 
- Senior Haiden McCraney boomed a 70-yard punt earlier this year 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. McCraney ranks third in the league with 40.5 yards per punt on average.
 
- Alcorn sits at No. 9 in this week's 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.

TIEBREAK SCENARIOS
IF Alcorn wins and Jackson State losses: Alcorn wins the division.

IF Alcorn wins and Jackson State wins: The teams will play for the division next weekend.
 
IF Alcorn losses: It can clinch the division with a victory over Jackson State next weekend regardless of all other outcomes.

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