LORMAN, Miss. – The 2023 season of football at Alcorn State University will kick-off Saturday when the Braves head to Southern Miss for a 6 p.m. game at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Alcorn was picked to finish second in the SWAC West Division in the 2023 Preseason Poll. The Braves landed six student-athletes on the SWAC Preseason All-Conference Teams. The list included
Jarveon Howard (first team running back),
Will Ready (first team offensive line), T.J. Yarborough (first team offensive line),
Malachi Bailey (first team defensive line),
Jason Longcor (first team long snapper) and
Terreance Ellis (second team linebacker). Long Snapper
Jason Longcor earned FCS Preseason All-America Honors.
Jarveon Howard was tabbed to the STATS FCS Third Team and the HBCU Preseason All-America Team.
Last year, the Alcorn defense ranked third in the FCS in sacks per game (3.55) and fifth in tackles for loss per game (8.1). The defense was also 11th in the country in total defense (320.9 ypg). The Braves added three coaches during the offseason including Co-Defensive Coordinator Derek Welch, Cornerbacks Coach DeWayne Taylor Jr., and Defensive Line Coach Derrien Covington.
Southern Miss is coming off a 7-6 (4-4 SBC) season and was picked fourth in the Sun Belt West Division. Southern Miss head coach Will Hall enters his third year with the Golden Eagles. Hall has a 10-15 record at Southern Miss and a 66-35 overall record as a head coach.
USM is expected to start Billy Wiles at quarterback for the 2023 season. Wiles, a transfer from Clemson, will become the fourth-straight different starter at quarterback to open a season for the Golden Eagles.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN+. It can also be heard live on 91.7 FM or wprl.org with Charles Edmond on the call.
PRESEASON NOTES
• Running back
Jarveon Howard was named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. On last season, he led the SWAC with 1,316 yards rushing, as well as 12 rushing touchdowns and an average of 115.9 yards per game on the ground within the "Trident" offensive backfield for Head Coach
Fred McNair.
• The Braves defense returns its top tackler from the previous season in linebacker
Terreance Ellis. Ellis ended last season with 68 tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
• Wide receiver
Monterio Hunt caught 20 passes for a team leading 407 yards averaging 20.4 yards per catch. He also scored two touchdowns for the Braves.
A Win Over Southern Miss Would —
• Give Head Coach
Fred McNair his 42nd overall career win.
• Allow
Fred McNair his first win as a collegiate head coach against Southern Miss.
• Allow Alcorn to open the season 1-0 for the first time since Sept. 2, 2017.
Series Notes —
• Southern Miss leads the all-time series against Alcorn by a margin of 3-0.
• Under Head Coach
Fred McNair, the Braves are 0-1 against the Eagles.
• This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams.
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