LORMAN, Miss. –
Jarveon Howard rushed for a season-high 295 yards and four touchdowns, as Alcorn defeated Arkansas at Pine Bluff by a score of 38-21, in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener for both teams at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium on Saturday night.
UAPB (2-2, 0-1 SWAC) led 21-10, following quarterback Skyler Perry's one-yard rush around the left side, added former Braves placekicker
Cristofer Thompson's extra-point, with 9:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Alcorn (2-2, 1-0 SWAC) then embarked upon 28 unanswered points, heavily influenced by the play of Syracuse transfer running back
Jarveon Howard.
An eight-play, 75-yard drive that took just over three minutes off the clock was capped off by Howard's 11-yard run to the right of the line for the score. In the drive, Howard was used five times in the eight plays, including breaking off a 24-yarder earlier in the drive.
Noah Kiani's extra-point brought the Braves to within 21-17 midway through the third quarter.
After the Braves defense forced a Golden Lions punt on its next possession, the Purple and Gold marched down the field on the strength of the "Trident" rushing attack for Head Coach
Fred McNair. This time, the attack was led by the duo of
Javonta Leatherwood and Howard. The drive ended with Howard's 24-yard run up the gut to give the Braves their second lead of the evening – and their first since 7-0 in the opening quarter.
In another punishing drive in the fourth quarter, Alcorn's Howard ran the ball three times in a drive, culminating with a 78-yard run up the middle that pushed the Braves advantage to 31-21 with 4:47 remaining in the contest.
UAPB signal-caller Skyler Perry was picked off on the Golden Lions ensuing drive, as Malcom Magee dropped back for the interception across the middle.
Three plays later, Leatherwood found pay dirt for the first time this season, as he scampered in from seven yards out, putting the Braves up, 38-21.
That was the end of a 28-0 run in favor of the Purple and Gold.
Alcorn got on the board first in the opening quarter, as Howard scored the first of his four rushing scores on a 45-yard burst in what was the Braves first play from scrimmage. UAPB tried to recover an onside kick and catch the Braves off-guard from the opening kick, but Thompson touched the ball just inches before it crossed the mandatory 10-yard mark in his recovery attempt.
Golden Lions' leading rusher, Kayvon Britten, punched in one of his two scores on the ground in the game, knotting the score at 7-7 with 7:08 left in the opening stanza.
UAPB took its first lead of the night with Britten bursting in along the left side of the line for the 14-7 advantage in the second quarter.
UAPB led 14-0 at the break after Alcorn's Kiani connected on a 42-yard field goal seconds before the half.
Howard led all rushers with 295 yards on 24 attempts, adding his four scorers. Leatherwood had 35 yards and a rushing touchdown as well. Quarterback
Aaron Allen finished 16-of-21 for 85 yards behind center.
For the Golden Lions, they were led by Britten with 19 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Perry was 14-for-31 passing with an interception to boot. Receiver Chrysten Cochran finished the game with six receptions for 67 yards for Head Coach Doc Gamble's offensive attack.
Alcorn enjoys an open week next Saturday, before then traveling to Mississippi Valley State on October 8, for another key SWAC showdown.
Follow Alcorn State Football on Twitter (
@AlcornStateFB) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Alcorn State Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (
@BravesSports), Instagram (
@AlcornSports) and YouTube (
Alcorn State Sports)
.
– #BeatUAPB –
