Alcorn State eyes back-to-back SWAC championships

LORMAN, Mississippi — Alcorn State jumped to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference heap in a hurry.

The Braves won their first SWAC championship in two decades last year by beating Southern 38-24 in the title game. With veteran quarterback John Gibbs Jr. returning, fourth-year coach Jay Hopson says his team has a chance to win another title.

Gibbs, the league's co-offensive player of the year last season, threw for 2,842 yards, 21 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 2014 while also running for 1,006 yards and 11 touchdowns. He'll have several of his top running backs and receivers returning.

The defense will have several new faces after losing multiple key contributors. The defensive line will be anchored by Darien Moody, who had 10½ tackles for a loss, including 7½ sacks. Warren Gatewood is back in the secondary after a team-high 16 pass breakups last season.

CONTINUE READING