FLORENCE, Ala. — Alcorn State University battled back from an early two-touchdown deficit and pulled within four points in the second half, but the University of North Alabama used a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away for a 38-20 victory Saturday night at Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.

The loss dropped the Braves to 2-2 overall. North Alabama improved to 2-2. Saturday's contest marked the first meeting between the two programs and served as the first football game played at North Alabama's new on-campus Bank Independent Stadium.

North Alabama jumped out to a 14-0 advantage in the opening quarter behind a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Destin Wade. The Lions struck on their opening possession when Wade connected with Seth Reed for a 31-yard touchdown. North Alabama added another score when Wade found KJ Fields for a 19-yard touchdown, putting Alcorn in an early two-score hole.

The Braves responded in the second quarter behind their ground game. Fredrick Robertson broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run with 5:21 remaining in the half, completing a six-play, 82-yard drive and cutting North Alabama's advantage to 14-7.

North Alabama answered almost immediately. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Xavier Johnson raced 75 yards for a touchdown, restoring the Lions' 14-point lead at 21-7.

Alcorn quarterback Jaylon Tolbert then directed another scoring drive, moving the Braves 70 yards in six plays. Tolbert capped the possession with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Tyree Kelly with 3:04 remaining in the half. Kenyon Bowyer converted the extra point, sending Alcorn into halftime trailing, 21-14.

The Braves continued to chip away at the deficit after halftime. Alcorn took the opening possession of the third quarter and marched 67 yards on nine plays before Bowyer connected on a 25-yard field goal with 11:11 remaining, pulling the Braves within 21-17.

North Alabama responded late in the quarter, putting together a nine-play, 74-yard drive that ended with Isaac Vachon's 31-yard field goal. The kick gave the Lions a 24-17 advantage heading into the final period.

The Lions created separation early in the fourth quarter when Wade connected with TJ Holmes for a 72-yard touchdown, extending North Alabama's advantage to 31-17 with 12:28 remaining.

Alcorn answered once again, driving into North Alabama territory before Bowyer converted his second field goal of the night, this time from 32 yards, to make it 31-20 with 9:19 remaining.

North Alabama then put together a lengthy drive that effectively sealed the game. The Lions covered 75 yards on 11 plays while taking 7:25 off the clock, with Wade scoring on a 13-yard run with 1:54 remaining to account for the final 38-20 margin.

For Alcorn, Tolbert and Kelly connected for their fourth touchdown of the season, with Kelly finding the end zone on the 18-yard second-quarter reception. Robertson provided the Braves' biggest play on the ground with his 22-yard touchdown run, while Bowyer was perfect on both of his field-goal attempts, connecting from 25 and 32 yards.

Alcorn showed resilience after falling behind 14-0, scoring 17 of the game's next 24 points and pulling within 21-17 early in the third quarter. North Alabama, however, responded by scoring 17 of the game's final 20 points to secure the victory.

The Braves now return to Southwestern Athletic Conference play, where they remain unbeaten at 1-0 following last week's 53-51 double-overtime victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the Southern Heritage Classic.

Notes

• Alcorn State fell to 2-2 overall.
• Saturday marked the first meeting in program history between Alcorn State and North Alabama.
• The game was the first football contest played at North Alabama's new Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium, the program's first on-campus football home.
• Alcorn trailed 14-0 in the first quarter before battling back to within four points, 21-17, early in the third quarter.
• Fredrick Robertson scored Alcorn's first touchdown on a 22-yard run in the second quarter.
• Jaylon Tolbert connected with Tyree Kelly for an 18-yard touchdown with 3:04 remaining in the first half.
• Kenyon Bowyer converted field goals of 25 and 32 yards and made both of his extra-point attempts.
• Alcorn scored on three consecutive possessions spanning the second and third quarters, turning a 14-0 deficit into a 21-17 game.
• North Alabama quarterback Destin Wade accounted for four touchdowns — three passing and one rushing.
• The Lions scored touchdowns of 75 and 72 yards, with Xavier Johnson producing the 75-yard run and Wade connecting with TJ Holmes for the 72-yard score.
• North Alabama closed the game with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:25.
• Alcorn will return home next week for its second SWAC contest of the season.

How It Happened
First Quarter

• North Alabama struck first when Wade connected with Reed for a 31-yard touchdown, giving the Lions a 7-0 advantage.
• The Lions added another touchdown when Wade found Fields for a 19-yard scoring pass, extending the lead to 14-0.
• Alcorn was held scoreless in the opening period as North Alabama carried a 14-0 advantage into the second quarter.

Second Quarter

• Alcorn broke through with 5:21 remaining when Robertson scored on a 22-yard touchdown run, completing a six-play, 82-yard drive and cutting the deficit to 14-7.
• North Alabama needed just one play to answer, with Johnson breaking loose for a 75-yard touchdown run to make it 21-7.
• The Braves responded with a six-play, 70-yard drive.
• Tolbert found Kelly for an 18-yard touchdown with 3:04 remaining, and Bowyer's extra point cut the North Alabama lead to 21-14.
• The Braves entered halftime trailing 21-14.

Third Quarter

• Alcorn took the second-half kickoff and immediately put together a nine-play, 67-yard drive.
• Bowyer finished the possession with a 25-yard field goal, pulling the Braves within 21-17 with 11:11 remaining.
• North Alabama answered later in the quarter with a nine-play, 74-yard drive that ended with Vachon's 31-yard field goal.
• The Lions carried a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter

• North Alabama extended its advantage when Wade connected with Holmes for a 72-yard touchdown with 12:28 remaining, making it 31-17.
• Alcorn answered with a nine-play drive before Bowyer converted a 32-yard field goal with 9:19 remaining, cutting the deficit to 31-20.
• North Alabama controlled the clock on its ensuing possession, putting together an 11-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 7:25.
• Wade finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run with 1:54 remaining, producing the final 38-20 margin.

Up Next
Alcorn State returns to Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Braves host SWAC foe Texas Southern University in Lorman.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.