Alcorn Falls at Tulane, 52-0

NEW ORLEANS – Alcorn State was unable to find the scoring column on Saturday night, as the Braves fell to FBS opponent Tulane by a final score of 52-0 in nonconference football action at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana.
 
Tulane (2-0) racked up 558 yards of total offense, and claimed its first shutout win since 1997. For the Braves, it was their first time being shutout since suffering a 41-0 defeat at Georgia Tech on Sept. 1, 2018.
 
Alcorn (0-2) faced a stubborn Tulane defense on the night, as the Braves could only record 109 yards of total offense overall. After a solid performance in his first start for the Purple and Gold a week ago at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium against No. 10 Stephen F. Austin, redshirt senior quarterback Aaron Allen finished the night just 3-of-10 passing for 15 yards and one interception.
 
The Braves began the game hot, as redshirt senior linebacker Claudin Cherelus broke though the line on the Green Wave's first series, hitting starting quarterback Michael Pratt on the back side, forcing a fumble that was recovered in the air by Alcorn defensive lineman Tyler Smith.
 
However, the Braves would miss a field goal on their opening drive following the turnover.
 
Tulane would go on to score on its next drive, using a 26-yard field goal from Kriston Esnard to go up, 3-0.
 
The Green Wave added to the lead on its next possession when Shaadie Clayton rushed in from six yards out to cap off a three-play, 27-yard drive that extended the Tulane lead at 10-0 in the first quarter.
 
Pratt connected with Tyrick James for a 25-yard scoring play through the air with 2:46 remaining in the opening half to advance the Green Wave lead at 31-0 as the teams headed to the locker room at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, graduate quarterback Markevion Quinn stepped under center for the Braves on the team's third drive of the second half. He would finish the night 2-for-4 passing for 34 yards over the last quarter-and-a-half.
 
With 1:51 remaining the third quarter, Alcorn defensive back Wallace Melton recovered a Tulane fumble in the back of the end zone as the Green Wave looked to score yet again on the night. It was the second turnover of the game forced by the Braves defense, and the third fumble recovered by the Purple and Gold on the season.
 
Javonta Leatherwood led the offensive attack of the Braves with 30 yards on the ground, followed by Niko Duffey with 19 yards, respectfully.
 
The Alcorn defense was highlighted by Terreance Ellis with a game-high nine tackles (eight solo). Trevor James added six stops and a tackle for loss. And it was Tavarian McCullum chipping in with five tackles of his own.
 
Tulane was led on offense by Pratt's 17-of-21 performance passing for 38 yards and three touchdowns. The big play was a 72-yard scoring pass to Shae Wyatt in the third quarter that extended the Tulane lead, 38-0.
 
Wyatt finished the game with six receptions for 130 yards – 110 of those coming after the catch.
 
The Green Wave defense used six tackles from Larry Brooks to lead that side of the ball, as well as three stops from a host of Tulane players, including Patrick Jenkins. Vicksburg, Mississippi native Nick Anderson had two tackles for Tulane.
 
The Braves return to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) action next weekend when they travel to McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana. That game represents the second of four (4) games the Purple and Gold will play in the "Bayou State" this season.
 
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