Alcorn Braves Knock Off Defending SWAC Champs UAPB, 21-16

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  -- After a tough home win against Mississippi Valley, the Braves managed to pick up another key SWAC victory on the road at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Braves accounted for 385 yards of total offense to defeat the Golden Lions 21-16 tonight at Golden Lion Stadium.

The Braves scored on their first drive on 18-yard pass from John Gibbs, Jr. to Tollette George with 10:03 to play in the 1^st quarter.

On UAPB's ensuing drive, kicker Tyler Strickland nailed a 33-yard field goal to cut the Braves lead to 7-3 with 04:34 to go in the 1^st quarter.

The Braves failed to score twice inside the red zone on an interception thrown by Gibbs and a fumble by senior Arnold Walker. UAPB attempted a 57-yard field goal just before the half but it was blocked by defensive back Anthony Williams, Jr. The Braves went into the locker room at the break with a 7-3 lead.

Less than two minutes after the half, junior running back Joe Price scampered for a 53-yard touchdown to extend the Braves lead to 14-3.

UAPB fired back with a 46-yard touchdown run by Jeremiah Young but failed to convert on the two-point conversion narrowing the Braves lead to 14-9 with 9:50 to play in the 3^rd quarter.

The Braves marched down the field once again and Walker was able to power in for the score on a 5-yard run pushing the Braves lead back to 21-9 with 11:56 to go in the game.

UAPB responded quickly on a 14-yard pass from quarterback Benjamin Anderson to Isaiah Ferguson with 9:07 left to play. The Golden Lions drive took eight plays for 49 yards in 2:56.

The Braves turned the ball over on downs and UAPB took over with 2:07 to play in the game. UAPB's Anderson ran 43 yards but the play was called back on a holding penalty. Three plays later, Anderson connected with LaDarius Eckwood on a 40-yard pass to put the Golden Lions inside the Alcorn 10. Transfer CJ Morgan stripped the ball from running Jeremiah Young to push the Golden Lions back to the 15 yard line. The Braves then forced three consecutive incompletions to hold on for the victory.

Walker finished the game with 82 yards and one touchdown to lead the Braves. Quinton Cantue and Jestin Williams both recorded a career-high 11 tackles in the Braves win.

Up next for the Braves (3-1, 2-0) is a trip to Montgomery to face Alabama State in another SWAC East showdown. Kickoff is staged for 5:30 p.m. at the New ASU Football Stadium.

Box Score

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION