Alcorn falls in season opener at home to Grambling State

By Matt Burrowes, Natchez Democrat

Lorman — Plagued by miscues on offense, penalties and the inability to stop the surging Grambling State offense, Alcorn State had little chance of turning things around Saturday night.

The Braves fell behind early, losing their home opener 31-10.

“Grambling came in here to play and they beat us up and down the field,” Alcorn head coach Johnny Thomas. “They pretty much handed us our lunch.”

Photo by Marcus Frazier

Grambling State University's Kenneth Wilborn, Jr. moves in for the kill as Alcorn State University's Vernadus Cooper attempts to move the ball down the field Saturday evening. The tigers were victorious over the Braves with a win of 31-10.

Thomas said Grambling is a very talented team and sound in every aspect of the game.

The Braves couldn’t maintain a drive the first half due to the aggressiveness of Grambling’s defense.

“The game plan was there,” Alcorn starting quarterback Chris Walker said. “We just couldn’t execute it.”

Grambling’s first down touchdown came from a 44-yard pass from Brandon Landers to wide receiver Reginald Jackson.

Jackson outran two Alcorn defenders for the score.

“Brandon has gotten a lot better,” Grambling head coach Rod Broadway said. “He has improved all around, especially in the way he manages the game.”

Photo: Alcorn's Roderick Williams and Grambling's Stephen Polk battle for the ball as they leap into the air.

Landers went on to throw for 303 yards and four touchdowns.

The Tiger offense totaled 479 yards on offense. They rushed for 176 yards.

“This was a nice win for us,” Broadway said. “We started to get sloppy at the end, allowing penalties. But we should have put at least 17 more points on the scoreboard.”

Broadway said the way Alcorn was playing on defense dangerous.

“Their defense told us what we wanted to do,” Broadway said. “They would crowd the line, knowing we have great receivers. We just blew by them.”

Walker took a vicious hit by Grambling defensive back Zaire Wilborn in the second quarter that sidelined him for the rest of the game.

“I hate he got hurt,” Thomas said. “Bringing in (backup quarterback Tony Hobson Jr.) didn’t change much. It wasn’t like we were doing much before Chris got hurt.”

Walker said it looked like it was a deep thigh bruise and he would probably be out for a couple of weeks.

The Braves have a short week before they go up against University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Thursday night on national television aired on ESPN.

“This is going to be a very short week,” Thomas said. “We will start (Sunday) and work all week. We have to forget about this one and prepare for UAPB. They are going to be tough and ready to win.”