LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn quarterback
Aaron Allen passed for a career-high 379 yards on Saturday afternoon, but it was Texas Southern grinding out a 34-27 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Western Division victory over the Braves on an Alcorn Homecoming weekend at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium.
Texas Southern (3-4, 3-2 SWAC) used a valiant effort from one of the league's best signal-callers in sophomore Andrew Body, to pull off the Tigers second upset win in the SWAC West this season – having shutout Southern University on the strength of a 24-0 decision just last month.
Body engineered a five-play, 44-yard drive midway through the opening quarter, culminating in an 18-yard connection through the air with wide receiver AJ Bennett, allowing the visitors the early 7-0 lead with 7:22 showing on the clock.
Alcorn (3-4, 2-2 SWAC) responded two drives later with a quick two-play drive that saw Allen link up with receiver
Monterio Hunt for 65 yards and a score, cutting the deficit at 7-6 with 3:03 left in the first quarter.
The Braves took their first lead of the contest early in the second quarter as Allen connected with Juan Anthony Jr. for a 62-yard score through the air, allowing the Purple and Gold a 13-6 advantage.
With Alcorn driving again just before the half, Raheme Fuller stepped in front of an Allen pass, returning it 48 yards for the touchdown. Curtis Falkenburg provided the PAT to put the Tigers on top at the break, 14-13. The interception was one of three thrown by Allen on the day.
The Braves would regain the lead on their first drive of the third quarter, using
Jarveon Howard for a 34-yard rushing score up the middle to put the Purple and Gold in front, 20-14 just three minutes into the second half. However, Texas Southern responded on the ensuing possession, as Falkenburg connected on one of his two field goals in the game – this one from 37 yards out to cut the score at 20-17.
Less than two minutes later, the Tigers would grab the lead for good, as Chaunzavia Lewis took a
Noah Kiani punt at his own 27-yard line, and returned it 73 yards for the touchdown, putting the Tigers in front 24-20 with 7:19 left in the third stanza. Following a short punt from Kiani, LaDarius Owens rushed in for the score from 10 yards out to advance the Texas Southern lead, 31-20.
Alcorn looked to drive once again, but Texas Southern's Cedrick Williams picked off an Allen pass at the one yard line, returning it 58 yards and stalling the possible scori9ng drive for the Braves.
Falkenburg added a field goal from 29 yards out to push the lead at 34-20 with just over two minutes remaining in the contest.
The Braves added another touchdown from Howard on a 16-uard run with 16 seconds left ot produce the final 34-27 score line.
Body led the Tigers in rushing with 79 yards on 22 attempts, adding 97 yards through the air and a score on 12-o-f20 passing. Jacob Williams led the Tigers defense with 10 tackles, including a pair behind the line of scrimmage. In all, the Tigers defense got to Allen four times for sacks.
Alcorn was led by Allen with 379 yards on 27-of-41 passing and three touchdowns. However, the former Louisiana Tech quarterback was picked off three times by the visitors. Howard added 135 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Braves, while Anthony had 121 yards and a score in the receiving column.
Claudin Cherelus led the Braves on defense with nine tackles, including a pair of quarterback sacks on Body.
Keyron Kinsler Jr. added seven tackles and an interception.
Alcorn will now turn its attention to next weekend, as the Braves prepare to travel to SWAC West foe Grambling State in Grambling Louisiana on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m.
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