LORMAN, Miss. – It's set to be a battle of the quarterbacks this weekend, as Alcorn's
Aaron Allen and Texas Southern's Andrew Body go head-to-head on an Alcorn Homecoming weekend in Lorman, Mississippi, when the Braves welcome the Tigers to Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) clash on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m.
Alcorn vs. Texas Southern
Oct. 22, 2022 | 2 p.m. CT
Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium | Lorman, Miss.
WPRL 91.7 FM (Radio) | Sirius XM (Radio) | ESPN+
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Alcorn 3-3 (2-1 SWAC)
Roster |
Coaches |
Schedule & Results |
Stats |
Game Notes
Texas Southern 2-4 (2-2 SWAC)
Roster |
Coaches |
Schedule & Results |
Stats |
Game Notes
Game Day Hashtags
#TXSOvsALC | #BeatTXSO | #ForgingAhead | #TogetherWeRise
Story Lines –
• Redshirt senior wide receiver
CJ Bolar enters the weekend having caught at least one pass in 14 consecutive games dating back to the 2021 season.
• The Alcorn defense had one quarterback sack last week of Southern's Besean McCray, allowing the Braves to now have at least one sack in each of the last four games, respectively.
• Defensive back
Andrew Smith logged his first career start on defense last week at Southern (La.).
• Transfer quarterback
Aaron Allen enters the weekend needing just 27 yards passing to eclipse 1,000 through the air this season. He has registered at least 200 yards passing in each of his last two starts against Mississippi Valley State and Southern (La.), respectfully. That includes a 300-yard evening at MVSU.
• Wide receiver
Malik Rodgers returns to the "air game" last week at Southern (La.), as he hauled in his first touchdown reception since the opening weekend against 10th-ranked Stephen F. Austin at home.
• Head Coach
Fred McNair enters the weekend with a perfect 4-0 record lifetime as a coach against Texas Southern.
Series Notes –
• Alcorn leads the all-time series against Texas Southern by a 36-18-4 mark...
• Under Head Coach
Fred McNair, the Braves are 4-0 against the Tigers...
• Alcorn has won the previous eight meetings against the Tigers, including a 44-27 decision last year in Houston...
• The Tigers had won four consecutive against the Braves from 2008 through 2011, including a pair of one-possession decisions...
The Broadcasts –
The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and the WatchESPN app on all mobile devices for streaming, while also being carried live via the Braves Radio Network in the form of WPRL 91.7 FM as Charles Edmond (play-by-play) operates alongside Cedric Bush (color) and Cedric Tillman (sidelines).
The Coach –
Head Coach
Fred McNair is now in his sixth year at the helm of the Alcorn Football program. McNair touts an overall record of 39-27 at the helm of the Braves program. The Alcornite of 1992 enters the weekend owning a winning record of 4-0 lifetime as a head coach against Texas Southern, respectfully.
The Weather –
Projected temperatures on game day: Lorman – 83/60 (4% chance of rain). Houston, Texas. – 85/68.
#HighFive –
1. Aaron Allen has passed for 511 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the last two games combined for the Braves.
2. The Alcorn "Trident" offensive backfield has all three running backs over the 100-yard rushing mark for the season, led by
Jarveon Howard with 714 altogether.
3. Last season, Texas Southern signal-caller Andrew Body had a stellar game against the Braves with 325 yards passing and a touchdown in his duel with
Felix Harper of Alcorn.
4. Four different players have recorded an interception for the Braves this season, including
Claudin Cherelus last week at Southern (La.).
5. Placekicker
Noah Kiani is third in the SWAC for made field goals this season, having connected on 8-of-11 thus far on the campaign, including a 42-yard field goal.
A Win over Texas Southern Would –
• Give Head Coach
Fred McNair his 40th overall career win...
• Be the ninth consecutive for the Braves against the Tigers...
• Allow the Braves to vie for a chance at the Western Division title with a 3-1 record in the SWAC...
• Improve
Fred McNair to 5-0 all-time against Texas Southern as a head coach...
#TogetherWeRise –
• The hashtag and motto for Alcorn State University Football in 2022 is #TogetherWeRise…
• Head Coach
Fred McNair and the team always say "As Braves...Together We Rise" before concluding every meeting and/or practice throughout the 2022 playing season…
The Trident Backfield —
• The "Trident" offensive backfield with running backs
Jarveon Howard,
Niko Duffey and
Javonta Leatherwood has produced 1,014 yards between the three ball-carriers this season.
• Howard enters the weekend tied for seventh in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for rushing touchdowns (8), while also ranked fourth for rushing yards (634).
• Meanwhile, Duffey has 212 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, adding a touchdown as well. And Leatherwood has 156 yards with a touchdown, averaging 5.2 yards per carry for the year.
Alcorn State Unveils New Gameday Features for Home Games —
• Alcorn State University made it a priority to enhance the fan experience inside what is widely-regarded as "one of the toughest FCS venues in the country" when opposing teams visit Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium.
• Notable Enhancements for the 2022 Season are as follows:
^^ Numerous point-of-sale terminals for easier access in and around the stadium
^^ Expedited transaction process with pre-sales for individual and season ticks with QR code access
^^ More vendors and an upgraded food variety for all fans
^^ Expanded grab-and-go drink wells/stations throughout the stadium
^^ Improved and upgraded parking scanners to accelerate entry to all campus parking lots
^^ Enhancement of the stadium sound system
Scoop 'N Score for Tyler Smith —
• Towards the end of the game against Mississippi Valley State, Alcorn defensive lineman
Tyler Smith scooped up a Delta Devils fumble and charged 35 yards with it for his first collegiate touchdown. For Smith, after an emotional last three weeks with the loss of his mom and sister, he was presented with the game ball – the actual ball that he scored the touchdown with and was surrounded by the team immediately after scoring.
#OctoberFest —
• The month of October will be a tough test for the Braves in 2022.
• Alcorn has trips to in-state foe Mississippi Valley State, as well as key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) western division matchups away to Southern and Grambling State, respectively.
• At home in October, the Purple and Gold welcome Texas Southern for Homecoming (Oct. 22).
Road Warriors —
• Alcorn State played most of its games on the road in 2021, and the 2022 season is once again heavily linked with games away from the friendly confines of Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium.
• Away games for the Braves this year have included trips to FBS opponent Tulane and perennial FCS power McNeese State. Other key away dates include stops at Mississippi Valley State, Southern, Grambling State and Prairie View A&M, respectively.
Marino Casem to be Honored at Xavier (La.) —
• Former Alcorn State Football head coach Marino Casem will be inducted posthumously into the 2022 Xavier
(La.) University Athletic Hall of Fame as one of 20 honorees released to the public by the university. The official induction ceremony is set to take place during a banquet on November 3, on the campus of Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• A 1956 graduate of Xavier (La.) University and dubbed "The Godfather" by Roscoe Nance of the Clarion-Ledger, Casem served as a student-athlete for the Gold Rush in the sport of football.
• The Memphis, Tennessee native served as head coach for the Braves football team at Alcorn State from 1964 through 1985, while also serving as the university's athletic director from 1966 until 1986. During his Alcorn tenure, "The Godfather" compiled a record of 132-65-8 – still serving as the most wins all-time in school history in football. Along the way, he helped the Braves capture seven Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles and four Historically Black College/University (HBCU) National Championships. In 1984, Casem helped lead the Braves to a 9-1 overall record (7-0 SWAC), earning a trip to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs – formerly known as the Division I-AA playoffs.
Next Up –
• Alcorn travels to "The Hole" and venerable Eddie G. Robinson Stadium to take on Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana on Saturday, Oct. 29, in a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Western Division contest for both teams, as the Braves hope to have a chance for a Western Division title still on the horizon following the game against Texas Southern, respectfully.
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– #BeatTXSO –
