Alcorn forms football coach search committee

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State University administration has released the names of those who will serve on the search committee that will be in charge of finding the Braves’ next football coach.

Those who will be helping to select that person include Alcornite and former head baseball coach and assistant football coach Willie ‘Rat’ McGowan of McComb, who was recently inducted into the SWAC Hall Of Fame.

The committee will also include Dr. John Igwebuike, who is associate dean of business at ASU and a faculty representative as president of the A Club; alum Nathaniel Hughes of Columbus a track star when he was a student; Jackson native Marcus Ward, associate vice president of development and alumni affairs at the university; Harry Brown of Vicksburg, who played...

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Alcorn State releases 2010 football schedule

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State University released the Braves’ tentative 2010 football schedule on Tuesday, and head coach Earnest Collins can breath a little easier not only when he sees the teams the Braves are playing, but who they aren’t. Unlike last season, when Alcorn opened its season on the road against Bowl Subdivision teams Southern Miss and Central Michigan — and lost those two games by a combined 100-0 — the Braves will open up the 2010 season at Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 18.

That could change, however, as Collins said the school is trying to find an opponent to come to Lorman and play Alcorn on Sept. 4. Alcorn currently has four games scheduled at Jack Spinks Stadium. If the Braves are able to find an opponent to play them on Sept. 4, that would give them five home games only one year after they played just three games in Lorman. “We’re excited we have more home games this year,” Collins said. “We’d prefer to get a team to come in here on Sept. 4 and then leave the 11th open.”

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Alcorn State Braves 2010 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

9/18 Mississippi Valley* Itta Bena, MS TBA

9/25 Alabama State* Alcorn State, MS 2:00PM

10/2 Mississippi State Starkville, MS TBA

10/9 Texas Southern* (Homecoming) Alcorn State, MS 2:00PM

10/16 Grambling State* Grambling, LA TBA

10/ 21Arkansas Pine Bluff* Alcorn State, MS TBA

10/30 Southern University* Alcorn State, MS 2:00PM

11/6 Alabama A&M* Huntsville, AL TBA

11/13 Prairie View A&M* Prairie View, TX TBA

11/20 Jackson State* (Capital City Classic) Jackson, MS 1:00PM

12/11 SWAC Championship Birmingham, AL 1:00PM CT

Alcorn State releases 2009 Football Schedule

by ASU Sports Information

Alcorn State, MS--- The Alcorn State University Department of Athletics announces its 2009 tentative football schedule. The schedule has a new twist to it with the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss as an opponent. This will be the first meeting between the two schools in football.

The Braves will have a three game road swing after opening up at the “Rock” in Hub City. Alcorn State will travel to the Midwest to face Central Michigan on September 19th before beginning conference play in Baton Rouge, Louisiana against Southern University. Pine Bluff, Arkansas will be the final stop on Alcorn State’s travel schedule for a while when they line up against the Golden Lions on October 3rd.

The Braves will not see the field at Jack Spinks Stadium until October 10th when they face the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley. Homecoming will feature divison rival Alabama A&M. Alcorn State will go back on the road to play Southwestern Athletic opponents Texas Southern Tigers and Alabama State Hornets. The final home game of the season will be against Prairie View A&M University. The Braves will face arch-rival Jackson State University on November 21st in the Capital City Classic.

Click here to view the ASU Braves 2009 Football Schedule.

Alcorn State Names Interim Head Coach

By Alcorn State Media Relations

President George E. Ross has announced that Earnest Collins, Jr. is the Interim Head Football Coach. Coach Collins assumed his duties on January 29, 2009.

"We are pleased to have Coach Collins serve in this capacity. He is an exceptional leader, he’s student-athlete centered, and possess the knowledge base to lead our football program in a positive direction. The respect and support this young man has garnered from the ASU community is tremendous," says President Ross.

As Interim Head Football Coach, Collins will operate with all the responsibilities and authority of the head coach. "I want to thank Dr. Ross for the opportunity to become the Interim Head Football Coach. I believed when I came here that we were going to take this program to new heights, and that is still our plan."

Coach Collins brings over 13 years of coaching and teaching experience in athletics. He entered his first season as Defensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach at Alcorn State University last year. Prior to joining the Braves’ staff, Coach Collins spent a year coaching the Secondary for the University of Central Florida, where the Knights ranked 3rd in the C-USA defensive statistics.

Coach Collins began his collegiate coaching career at Northwest Missouri State University as a Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coach from 1996-1999. During those three seasons with the Bearcats, they won two NCAA Division II National Champions 1998, 1999. After leaving Northwest Missouri, he returned to his alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado as the Coordinator-Secondary/Special Teams, Strength and Conditioning during 1999-2003. While there, he helped to shape a defense that was ranked nationally from 2000-2003.

When Coach Collins departed from the Bears, he became a part of the Jayhawks coaching staff. From 2003-06, he served in the capacity of the Special Teams and Cornerbacks Coach. During his tenure there, he organized the "Character First" and "Mentors" programs. Also, the Jayhawks’ defense was ranked 3rd in the Big12 and 20th in the nation.

Coach Collins began his collegiate playing career at the University of Northern Colorado 1991-94, as a defensive back and punt returner. He earned All-North Central Conference honors following his senior year. He currently holds the Northern Colorado records for career (967) and season (497) punt return yards.

Coach Collins received his B.A. in Kinesiology (Physical Education) from University of Northern Colorado. In 2000, he received his M.S. in Athletic Administration from Northwest Missouri State University.

He is a member of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee. Collins’ professional memberships include the Black Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Association.

He is married to Tabatha, and they have two daughters, Tayler and Marci.

Alcorn State fires assistant football coaches

Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest T. Jones, 2-10 record, first season has retained two lawyers.

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State University has fired seven of its nine assistant football coaches, and the head coach said the move was made without his knowledge. Alcorn State head coach Ernest T. Jones said he was watching television at his home on Thanksgiving Day when he saw a report on the news that his coaches had been fired. Jones said he was never notified the firings would occur. “I got a message from (Athletic Director Darren) Hamilton that said, ‘Happy Thanksgiving, I’m on vacation and we’ll chat Friday.’ We never chatted Friday,” Jones said.

Jones said he did not plan to fire anyone and has received no explanation from Hamilton or the university. Alcorn State Sports Information Director LaToya Shields confirmed Monday night that assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Earnest Collins Jr., offensive coordinator Dino Dawson, running backs coach Terrance Robinson, special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Zach Shay, secondary coach Jack Phillips, defensive line coach Keith Majors and strength and conditioning coach Lorenzo Guess would not have their contracts renewed. Only offensive line coach Adam Shorter and wide receivers coach Michael Armour were retained by the university, Sheilds said.

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Former Lehigh Senior High School (Alcorn State) football player Adams dies in car accident

Ladarrius Adams remembered

The Lehigh Senior High School weight room has been quiet the last two days. “Pure silence,” Lehigh running back Otis Jiles said. “You could only hear the AC running. I’ve never seen it like that before.” That’s the impact Ladarrius Adams’ death has had on the school’s football team as well as his family.

Adams, 17, was killed Thursday morning in a car accident near Fayette, Miss. An incoming freshman at Alcorn State University, Adams had arrived early to go to class and take part in summer workouts. Teammates D’Angelo Buckner and Isaac Williams were also injured.

“I lost my husband (Robert) two years ago, but this is nothing like that,” said Lorraine Curry, Adams’ mother. “Your child comes from you and I just can’t tell you the pain my family is going through; but we stick together and keep the faith and believe that we will make it. But right now, it’s devastating to get that kind of phone call.”

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Car Crash Kills Alcorn State Athlete; Two Other Alcorn Student Athletes Injured

FAYETTE, Miss. -- Alcorn State University officials said that a car crash has claimed the life of freshman football player Ladarrius Adams. The wreck, which occurred on Highway 61 south near Fayette early Friday morning, also injured D'Angelo Buckner and Isaac Williams. The university said that Buckner and Williams are also incoming freshmen and members of the football team.

Adams was a native of Fort Meyers, Florida and was recruited as a running back to Alcorn State. Buckner and Williams are natives of Clinton, Mississippi and were recruited as corner back and offensive lineman, respectively.

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Alcorn Braves planning to aim high

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Anyone paying attention to the Alcorn State football program can tell there's a stark difference between the lively new coach Ernest Jones and his stoic predecessor Johnny Thomas. But as the saying goes, "Talk is cheap." Jones can say all the right things, but if players don't buy what he's selling none of it will matter for a team picked to finish dead last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division.

But when Emmanuel Arceneaux drops the phrase, "It's a new day," in a casual conversation at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Day in Birmingham, you get the feeling he's been paying attention to the new face of Alcorn football. "It did need to change," said Arceneaux, the team's top returning receiver. "The mindset is the pride and tradition that he's trying to bring back to Alcorn. No disrespect to the former coaches, but they came in and gave a boost of energy. Everything is just fired up."

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Alcorn State football to play Southern Miss in 2009

Photo: Alcorn State University's new head football coach Earnest Jones is bringing excitement to the Braves program by playing Mississippi's Division I football programs.

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State Braves are on the verge of making some football history.

The Braves released their 2009 football schedule on Wednesday, which includes a trip to M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg to play Southern Miss. It will be the first time in the 88-year history of the football program that the Braves will play one of the three Division 1A schools in Mississippi.

Alcorn State football coach Ernest Jones said the game is a way to give the Alcorn State program some good recognition and step the program up a notch.

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The Golden Eagles will host Alcorn State on Sept. 12, 2009, in the first meeting between the two schools located about 150 miles apart.

USM will pay Alcorn between $150,000-$160,000. The Braves also will get the proceeds from the first 5,000 tickets they sell and the proceeds from a second allotment of tickets to ASU, if needed, would be split.

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Alcorn State releases 2008 Football Schedule

Alcorn State, MS —The Alcorn State University Athletic Department has released its 2008 Football Schedule. The Braves will host five games on the Academic Resort, starting with the August 30th, season opener against Southeastern Louisiana. Alcorn State will play all Southwestern Athletic schools in the upcoming season although the SWAC does not mandate this action.

The Braves will open with FCS opponent Southeastern Louisiana University of the Southland Conference and will play a FBS game at Troy University.

2008 Alcorn State University Football Schedule

Date Opponent Site Time

August 30 Southeastern Louisiana Alcorn State, MS 1 PM
September 6 *Grambling State University Grambling, LA 6 PM
September 13 Troy University Troy, AL 6 PM
September 20 *University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Alcorn State, MS 6 PM
September 27 *Southern University Alcorn State, MS 1 PM
October 4 OPEN
October 11 *Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS TBA
October 18 *Alabama A&M University Huntsville, AL TBA
October 25 *Texas Southern University Alcorn State, MS 2 PM
(Homecoming)
November 1 *Alabama State University Alcorn State, MS 1 PM
November 8 OPEN
November 15 *Prairie View A&M Prairie View, TX TBA
November 22 *Jackson State University Jackson, MS TBA
(Capital City Classic)
December 13 SWAC Championship Birmingham, AL TBA

Bold print indicates home contests

* Denotes SWAC Conference Games

Coach Ernest T. Jones-Head Coach (1st Year)
Dr. George Ross-President
Mr. Wiley F. Jones-Interim Athletic Director
Ms. LaToya M. Shields-Sports Information Director

Wins not coming for Alcorn Braves

Photo: #16 Chis Walker, Sr. QB, 5-10/200, Jean Ribault HS, Jacksonville, FL

By Jeff Edwards, The Natchez Democrat

LORMAN — Johnny Thomas never expected this. Four games into the season, the Alcorn State head coach thought his team would be .500 at the very least. The goal was to post a winning record in each third of the 12-game season and finish with a solid season.

However, turnovers and key injuries have limited the Alcorn offense and the Braves had limped to a disastrous 0-4 start.

“We’ve just had too many mistakes on the offense and in our special teams,” Thomas said. “Our defense has played pretty well, but we’ve put them in situations difficult to defend too many times this year.”

Through the first four games, the Braves are averaging just 9 points per game and have let turnovers dominate their games. Thomas points to Alcorn’s game against Alabama State two weeks ago as typical of how the season has gone.

“We finally broke out on offense with over 400 yards but turnovers and special teams hurt us,” Thomas said of the 28-25 loss. “A classic drive of ours this season was in the third quarter of that game. We drove the ball deep in their territory but fumbled. After that, it was all downhill.”

While turnovers may be the deciding factor in the Braves’ 0-4 start, injuries to the quarterback position have also hampered the Alcorn offense.

Photo: #6 Tony Hobson Jr., Jr. QB, 6-3/219, Jim Hill HS, Jackson, MS

Starting quarterback Chris Walker injured his quadriceps and was replaced by backup Tony Hobson. However, Hobson injured his hand in the week of practice leading up to Alcorn’s game against Arkansas Pine Bluff and Walker was reinserted into the starting lineup.

“If we could just stay healthy in that position, it would help our offense greatly,” Thomas said. “I never expected the rash of injuries that we’ve had.”

The Braves will try to snap out of their losing skid when they take on Prairie View A&M Saturday afternoon in Lorman. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.

The Panthers opened the season with two straight victories before losing their last two. They lost 12-2 to Southern two weeks ago and dropped a hard-fought 17-14 decision to Grambling in Dallas last weekend. They come into Saturday’s game with a 2-2 overall record and a 1-2 record in the SWAC and are led by a defense that has allowed just 12.5 points per game.

“Prairie View is a good team that is well coached,” Thomas said. “They know how to win because they have won twice this season. They have a very good defense and their offense is putting up points. It’s going to be a hard chore for us to pick up a win.”

After taking last weekend off, Thomas said his players are still in good spirits as they fight for that elusive first victory.

“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Thomas said. “Everyone is still positive and upbeat. The season is not over. They know what is at stake and no one has given up.”

But Thomas knows if his Braves want to pick up their first win of the 2007 campaign this weekend, they have to play a clean football game.

“The key to victory is not turning the ball over,” he said. “If we don’t turn the ball over, we can win. Turnovers make such a huge difference in who wins and loses.”

And if the Braves can do that, they may just be able to put their awful start behind them and begin the second third of their season with some momentum.

“The goal of the season was to get off to a good start,” Thomas said. “I never expected to be 0-4. I didn’t anticipate the rash of injuries and the turnovers. If we can eliminate them and get to playing solid football, we can still have a good season.”

Alcorn Braves still win-less on season; PVAMU next week

By The Natchez Democrat

MONTGOMERY — Alcorn State University inched close to a victory Saturday night, but this isn’t horseshoes.

It’s college football, and the Braves are still win-less on the season after their 28-25 loss to Alabama State University.

Alabama State (4-0) has made a name for themselves in the close games so far this season.

“Every team has its character, so I guess this is ours,” coach Reggie Barlow said. “We must like it close, but we are finding a way to win so its alright with me.”

Barlow praised Alcorn for a good showing and a comeback attempt.

“I was happy that we got off to a good start, but it shows Alcorn’s character that they were able to come back,” he said.

Alcorn fell to 0-4 with the loss. Braves coach Johnny Thomas called this week a pivotal one for his team. Alcorn State has lost to Alabama State the last three seasons.

The Braves lost to UAB last week 22-0, in a defensive struggle. Alcorn was to have played Morehouse in Las Vegas this Saturday, but that game fell through. Their next game is Oct 6th at home with Prairie View A&M Panthers.

Alcorn State University Sounds of Dyn-O-mite Marching Band and Golden Girls Dancers.

UAB vs. Alcorn State University

STEVE IRVINE, The Birmingham News

Callaway on familiar turf with new team

UAB head football coach Neil Callaway could take a stroll down memory lane today when he arrives at Legion Field.

His Legion Field memories began as a player at the University of Alabama and stretched over coaching stops at Alabama and Auburn. He acknowledged earlier this week that he has plenty of good and bad Legion Field memories but added that today is no time to dive into those memories.

In other words, for Callaway, it's all about business today when the Blazers (0-2) play host to Alcorn State (0-2) in a non-conference game scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m.

"It's our first home ball game, it's our home field, it's our house,"

Callaway said. "We need to represent ourselves well there. It's a lot of tradition there, which is great, but all I'm worried about right now is UAB."

Look at today's game on paper and it appears that Callaway has an excellent chance to get his first win as a head coach in his team's first home game. However, listen to Callaway's scouting report and Alcorn State doesn't sound like a team that has been outscored 52-13 by Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

"They are very multiple offensive and defensive schemes," Callaway said.

"It's going to create some problems for you with all the stuff that they do on both sides of the ball," Callaway said. "They have eight starters on both sides of the ball. I'm very impressed even though they have not won a ball game, I was very impressed on how they play on both sides of the ball and how well they are coached and how well they do the things they do."

Alcorn State hasn't necessarily looked like an experienced team thus far.

Part of that comes from an unsettled feeling at quarterback because of injuries. Senior Chris Walker started against Grambling before leaving with a thigh bruise. Junior Tony Hobson Jr. was the scheduled starter against Arkansas-Pine Bluff but he hurt his hand in practice last week. Sophomore Tim Buckley got the start at quarterback in the second game but was replaced quickly by Walker.

Put all that together and it's tough to find some offensive consistency.

UAB's difficulty in finding offensive consistency in the season-opening loss to Michigan State came largely because an offensive line that was breaking in three new starters and had little experienced depth. The offensive line played much better in the loss to Florida State last week.

Now the Blazers need to find more offensive playmakers to go with quarterback Sam Hunt and wide receiver Joseph Webb. Hunt has thrown for 440 yards and two touchdowns and his 31-yard run last week is the only double-digit rush the Blazers have thus far. Webb, who is still slated to play quarterback at some point, has a team-high 12 catches for 187 yards and the only two receiving touchdowns.

Running back Rashaud Slaughter is averaging just 3.3 yards per touch - rushing and receiving - and no other running back has more than four carries. Fullback/H-back David Sigler is averaging 15 yards per catch but has only four catches.

Valley first SWAC foe for league defending champ Alabama A&M

ITTA BENA, Miss. -- Alabama A&M hosts Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference clash on Saturday and is hoping for a happier ending than last year.

MVSU (1-1, 1-1 SWAC) won that game 23-20 on a 48-yard field goal with only seconds left.

"A&M is always good, but this year they're scoring a lot more points," MVSU head coach Willie Totten said.

A&M (2-0, 0-0) is averaging 529 yards of total offense compared to MVSU's 173.

A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke passed for 301 yards and four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta last week.

The Delta Devils lost 23-6 last Saturday to Southern and Totten wants his players to put that game behind them before the kickoff in Normal, Ala.

"We knew Southern would be a tough opponent, and we'll face an even tougher opponent in Alabama A&M," Totten said.

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said the Bulldogs can't be satisfied being 2-0.

"I don't want our guys to think we're great because we're not," Jones said. "We've played two good football games, and now we're ready to get into conference play. We have to continue to get better. If we don't, everything we've done will be for naught."

In other games Saturday involving Mississippi's smaller colleges, Alcorn State goes to Alabama-Birmingham; Delta State hosts Henderson State; Mississippi College hosts Texas Lutheran; Belhaven hosts Texas College; and Millsaps plays Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

Alcorn (0-2, 0-2 SWAC) has scored just 13 points in losses to Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Alcorn goes up against the Division I-A opponent in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday. UAB (0-2) has not won since a 35-29 win over Memphis last Oct. 7. This season, UAB has lost to Florida State and Michigan State.

"We're up beat and we know what we have to do," said Alcorn head coach Johnny Thomas. "Our main thing is that we've got to be more consistent on offense and improve. Our defense has to continue to be aggressive."

UAB head coach Neil Callaway said Alcorn has a cadre of veteran players and that experience is important to any team.

"They do a lot of multiple things on both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, we have to recognize what's going on. The same goes for offense because they bring a lot of types and forms blitzes and they will create problems if we're not sharp," Callaway said.