Football | 11/30/2018 9:38:00 AM

Alcorn Becomes First-Ever Institution to Host SWAC Championship Saturday against Southern

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LORMAN, Miss. – A once in a lifetime game will take place Saturday when the Alcorn State University football program hosts Southern in the 2018 SWAC Championship at 3:33 p.m. at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.
 
Alcorn (8-3, 6-1 SWAC) will become the first-ever institution to host the SWAC Championship. The Braves locked-up home field advantage after beating Jackson State 24-3 on Nov. 17. Alcorn held the tiebreaker over Southern (7-3, 6-1 SWAC) after winning the head-to-head match-up 20-3 on Sept. 29.
 
In the regular season match-up between the two schools, the Braves spoiled Southern's Homecoming. Alcorn limited the Jaguars to just 139 yards of offense, including 76 passing and 63 rushing yards. Sophomore Qwynnterrio Cole, an All-Conference First-Team selection, registered a pick-six as the Braves improved to 37-27-2 all-time against SU.
 
Junior quarterback Noah Johnson was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year yesterday. He's also a finalist for the Walter Payton Award which goes to the best player in FCS. Johnson has thrown for 1,944 yards and 15 touchdowns, and has rushed for 813 yards and seven touchdowns. He ranks seventh in the country in yards per carry (7.13) and 13th in completion percentage (.634).
 
Fellow junior De'Shawn Waller earned SWAC Newcomer of the Year nods. After starting the season as No. 3 on the running back depth chart, Waller has come on strong with at least 100 yards rushing in five of the last six games. Waller has rushed for 871 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.
 
Alcorn dominated the All-Conference teams. Of the league-leading 12 All-Conference honorees from Alcorn, 10 were named to the First-Team. It's the most First-Team selections for the Braves since 1977. Along with Johnson and Waller on the First-Team were offensive linemen Chris McCrea, Kevin Hall and Mustaffa Ibrahim, defensive linemen Terry Whittington and Sterling Shippy, linebacker Solomon Muhammad and defensive backs Javen Morrison and Cole. Alcorn was represented on the Second-Team by offensive lineman Deonte Brooks and tight end Jaquaveon Boles.
 
To top it off, Alcorn head coach Fred McNair was honored with the coveted SWAC Coach of the Year accolade. McNair, who is in his third season, has the Braves ranked first in the league in nearly every statistical category both on offense and defense. He became the first Coach of the Year at Alcorn since Cardell Jones in 1992.
 
The Alcorn defense ranks first in the FCS in both sacks per game (4.09) and tackles for a loss per game (9.2). The defense is also top-five nationally in rushing and sixth in total yards, allowing just 93.2 rushing yards and 283.4 total yards per contest.
 
The Jaguars are coming in hot and riding a five-game winning-streak. Their last loss was the 20-3 defeat to the Braves on Sept. 29. Though, Southern has been playing with a different quarterback since the first meeting as Ladarius Skelton, a dual-threat with his arm and legs, has come in to throw for nine touchdowns and rush for five.
 
SU ousted Grambling State 38-28 in the Bayou Classic to clinch its spot in the SWAC title game.
 
The Jaguars earned just two All-Conference selections, both offensive lineman. Jodeci Harris earned a spot on the First-Team, while Jaylon Brinson was on the Second-Team.
 
Saturday's game will be nationally televised live on ESPNU. It can also be heard on 91.7 FM or wprl.org with Charles Edmond on the call.
 
NOTES
- The five-time defending SWAC East Division champions are playing for their 16th conference title in school history and third in the last five years. The Braves are the first team to ever play in five consecutive SWAC Championship games.
 
- It's the second time Alcorn and SU square off in the championship. The Braves won the first 38-24 in 2014 and quarterback John Gibbs Jr. was named MVP.
 
- The Braves have held the opposition to three points or less three times this year. The defense has not allowed a touchdown in four games (against Prairie View A&M, the only touchdown came on a special teams play).
 
- The Alcorn offense leads the SWAC total offense (471.3 ypg), rushing (274.3 ypg), first downs per game (23.2) and time of possession (33:11). The 274.3 rushing yards per outing ranks eighth in the nation.
 
- The Braves, who went 4-0 against teams from the SWAC West Division this year, are 14-2 against SWAC East Division opponents over the last four seasons.
 
- Johnson ranks eighth all-time in school history in career touchdown passes (30), 11th in passing yards (3,845) and is approaching the all-time list in rushing yards (1,600).
 
- The Braves are ranked No. 2 in HBCU Top-10 Poll and are receiving 127 votes in the FCS Coaches Poll. Southern is No. 3 in the HBCU Poll.
 
- Alcorn is 4-1 at home this year and 79-53 all-time in Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.
 
- The Braves are 12-0 when leading at halftime over the last two seasons.
 
- Alcorn won 10 SWAC Player of the Week awards for the second straight year. In addition to Whittington, junior Brelion Hollis and Morrison won Defensive Player of the Week. Waller has won Newcomer of the Week three times. Johnson and junior Raidarious Anderson have each won Offensive Player of the Week. Junior Corey McCullough and senior Johnathon Hauer have earned Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
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