Former Alcorn State coach Whitney selected for NABC Hall of Fame

For 31 years, Coach Davey Whitney paced the hardwood at Alcorn State and Texas Southern winning with a career record of 550-337. The legendary coach led ASU to the first win by an HBCU in the NCAA Tournament. Whitney also defeated Mississippi State in the 1979 NIT Tournament and won 12 SWAC Championships.

Former Alcorn State coach Whitney selected for NABC Hall of Fame

Davey Whitney transformed Alcorn State University basketball into a consistent winner and charmed contemporaries, sportswriters and just about everyone else along the way. Then again, it might have taken awhile with his players. Whitney, 80, was a demanding coach. He suffered no fools. He had a sense of humor, sure, but only after the work had been done. On Tuesday, Whitney learned he had been elected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Whitney has lived in Biloxi for several years and tends to his ailing wife, Bernice. He also lends a hand as a marshal at Sunkist Country Club, although he insists his handicap is nothing to write home about. On the basketball court, however, the diminutive Whitney always stood tall. "You never really expect anything like that, a call from someone's Hall of Fame," Whitney said. "I never got into the game for that. I got into the game because I wanted to help kids, and I wanted to win." And win he did.
Whitney inducted into college hoops hall of fame

Longtime Alcorn State basketball coach Davey Whitney will be enshrined into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Whitney, 80, posted a 550-337 record in 31 years as head coach, including two stops at Alcorn State. He guided the Braves to the 1979 National Invitation Tournament, where his team defeated Mississippi State, and in 1980 he led Alcorn to the NCAA Tournament and a victory over South Alabama to become the first historically black university to win a tournament game. His Alcorn teams won 495 games and 12 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships. The ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 21 in Kansas City, Mo.

Fitting tribute: Alcorn's 'Wiz' worthy of shrine
Excerpt: Modest Rewards

So it was that Whitney's highest-ever salary was $67,000, and that right at the end of his career. For most of his career, he made less than half that and lived in campus housing. He recruited smalltown Mississippi kids who could run and jump - and he taught them to play basketball. He taught them to win. He just won and won and won. His teams won 550 games, while losing only 337. His Alcorn teams won 495 games and 12 SWAC titles. He could, as Jake Gaither, the late Florida A&M football coach famously said, "Take his'n and beat your'n, or take your'n and beat his'n."

His 1978-79 Alcorn State team defeated Mississippi State at Starkville in the NIT and then almost beat Bobby Knight's Indiana Hoosiers in their next game. Knight was so impressed he later appointed Whitney to his U.S. Olympic team staff. Whitney's 1979-80 team became the first historically black college to win an NCAA Tournament game.

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Reprint: From the United States Congressional Record: TRIBUTE TO COACH DAVEY WHITNEY, ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY -- (U.S. Senate - July 19, 1999)
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Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today I honor a Mississippian who made numerous contributions to Alcorn State University, to countless young student athletes and to the community. Coach Davey L. Whitney, Head Coach of the Men's Basketball team at Alcorn State University, has served as a leader at this educational institution, a professor of championship athletics and a mentor for many of his players.

Nearly 30 years ago, Coach Whitney first arrived on the Lorman, Mississippi, campus. From the beginning, Davey's tenure at Alcorn was destined for greatness. Within ten years, the Alcorn State Men's Basketball team went from little notoriety to groundbreaking achievement. His list of accomplishments is exemplary. His determination is heroic.

He was the first coach to lead an historically black college team to wins in both NCAA and NIT tournaments. His teams also won nine Southwestern Athletic Conference titles. In 1979, Alcorn accomplished something that no previous historically black college had done--winning a National Invitational Tournament game--when they defeated Mississippi State University.

Coach Whitney has been a mentor to many young men. Many of his players have become successful businessmen. Several of his players even had successful professional athletic careers in the National Basketball Association. Larry Smith, who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors, is now an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets. He is reproducing Coach Whitney's approach of discipline coupled with a warm personal devotion for the players.

Coach Whitney's career has not been one without trials. In 1989 he was fired after losing three successive seasons. Still Coach Whitney stayed involved in basketball by coaching in the Continental Basketball Association and the United States Basketball League.

Coach Whitney also remained close to Alcorn State for the next eight years, while the Braves struggled and in 1997 Alcorn asked him to return. After much thought, Coach Whitney returned to the Alcorn State University Family as head coach. Within two years, he took the struggling Braves to the 1999 Southwestern Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship where they not only won, they triumphed. This tournament championship earned the Braves a berth in the NCAA Tournament. This marked the first time since the 1986 season that the Braves have won the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season title. This was also the first time since 1984 that the Braves have won the tournament title and appeared in the NCAA tournament.

Coach Whitney's 442 wins in 28 years--with 10 regular season titles, four consecutive titles between 1978-82, twelve post season tourneys and five NAIA district titles--earned him nine Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors. It is a fitting tribute to Coach Whitney's accomplishments that he coaches in the complex named after him. Various groups have recognized Coach Whitney for his renowned success. USA Today's Reporter Jack Carey wrote, ``At Alcorn State Coach Davey Whitney is proving not only that you can go home again, but you also can be darned successful once you get there.'' Whitney is surely a man worthy of recognition.

Coach Whitney is not only a successful coach but an accomplished family man. He and his wife of more than 40 years have reared a fine family of four daughters and one son, all of whom attended Alcorn State University. He is a member of the National Association of Coaches, the Mississippi Association of Coaches, the National Black Association of Coaches, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., just to name a few.

Mr. President, it is a great honor to pay tribute to Coach Davey L. Whitney for his athletic accomplishments and his dedication to the students of Alcorn State University. His efforts are both uplifting and encouraging. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Davey Whitney many more years of success.

Bill would name Alcorn State baseball facilities for former coaches McGowan and Foster

The legendary Willie E."Rat" McGowan, Sr. (#25 in photo) will be honored with the naming of the Alcorn State University baseball stadium.

JACKSON, MS — Alcorn State University could honor its sports history by naming its baseball stadium and the field inside the stadium after two former coaches. A bill that passed the Mississippi House 116-0 on Tuesday would name the park as the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan Sr. Baseball Stadium. McGowan retired in 2009 after coaching Alcorn State baseball for 40 years. The field inside the stadium would be named for the late William "Bill" Foster, the school's first baseball coach.

Foster was a left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s and '30s and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The legendary "Rat" McGowan finished his Alcorn career with 720 wins and was inducted in the Alcorn State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, for baseball and football. The bill moves to the Senate for more work.

Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles: William Foster
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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Public Property; Universities and Colleges

By: Representatives Holloway, Middleton, Clarke, Wooten, Arinder, DuVall, Espy, Gibbs, Harrison, Huddleston (30th), Johnson, Jones (82nd), Thomas, Scott, Clark

House Bill 730
(As Passed the House)
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL PARK ON THE CAMPUS OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY IN LORMAN, MISSISSIPPI, SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN, SR., BASEBALL STADIUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BASEBALL FIELD WITHIN THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN STADIUM SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIAM "BILL" FOSTER BASEBALL FIELD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The Alcorn State University Baseball Park on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. McGowan.

SECTION 2. The baseball field within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, as designated in Section 1 of this act, located on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place on the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. Foster.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.

Alcorn State Goes Offensive With 23 New Signees

The Alcorn State University football program has announced the signing of 23 new Braves for the 2010 recruiting class. Coach Earnest Collins Jr., and his staff focused on the offensive side of the ball by signing seven offensive linemen, three quarterbacks and three wide receivers. The offensive linemen average 6-3/305 in size. The gem of the group is all-state selectee, Derrick Henderson, (6-4/310) Brookhaven High School (Mississippi).

On paper, quarterback Jeremy Collins appears to be a potential star with over 4,000 career passing yards and 20 touchdowns. In his junior year at Greenwood High School (M.S.), the All-Region quarterback had only six interceptions the entire season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Braves signed Ricky Joseph from Miami Northwestern H.S. (Florida), who comes from a great program with a winning tradition. ESPN has this to say about the 6-2/275 defensive tackle: "Joseph comes from a program that produces many good prospects so you know he is used to competing against good competition. He has solid size for the defensive tackle position and displays the frame to be able to add more good bulk."

Joining Joseph from South Florida is Fort Lauderdale Stranahan H.S. safety/DB Derwin Brown, a 6-1/180 athlete that can play running back or wide receiver. Brown played on both sides of the ball for the 9-3 Stranahan Dragons.

At this time of the year, every coach will tell you that they have fulfilled their needs with the incoming recruiting class. And Coach Earnest Collins, Jr. is no difference in that regard. The "undefeated" and new Alcorn University Braves are:

Derrick Henderson- OL 6’4” 310 Brookhaven High School (MS)
Brandon Bridge- QB 6’5” 195 St. Marcellinus Secondary School (ONT)
Jacody Rose- OL 6’3” 309 O.P. Walker High School (LA)
Rodney Whitmore- WR 6’1” 175 Mansfield High School (TX)
LaRon Trigg- LS 6’2” 205 Hinds Community College (MS)
Michael Young- QB 6’2” 207 McLaurin High School (MS)
Chris Perkins- WR 6’6” 205 Hazlehurst High School (MS)
Ricky Joseph- DL 6’2” 275 Miami Northwestern High School (FL)
Jamison Knox- DB 5’9” 185 East High School (TN)
Maurice Redick- OL 6’3” 298 East High School (TN)
Fred Avery- DL 6’1” 278 Mobile Christian School (AL)
Jeremy Collins- QB 6’2” 210 Greenwood High School (MS)
Joshua Dupre- OL 6’4” 285 Captain Shreveport High School (LA)
Thomas Lacy- OL 6’2” 305 Robert Lee High School (TX)
Orlando Stringer- LB 6’0” 195 Carver High School (AL)
Derwin Brown- DB 6’1” 180 Stranahan High School (FL)
Terrence Barnes- DT 6’0” 295 Mize Attendance Center (MS)
Josh Dotson- ATH 5’10”175 Port Gibson High School (MS)
Stephen Fields- DB 5’11”175 Cedar Hill High School (TX)
Brian Malone- OL 6’5” 310 Hinds Community College (MS)
Avis Shelton- OL 6’3” 320 E. Mississippi Community College (MS)
Kenny Roby- LB 6’1” 220 E. Mississippi Community College (MS)
Ramon Brown- DB 6’2” 195 College of Dupage (IL)

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Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Collins, Jr. finished his first season with a 3-6, 3-4 SWAC record.

Alcorn fills needs with signing class

LORMAN, MS — Having a full year to get to know players makes a huge difference in recruiting, especially compared to only a few months. Now that Alcorn State head football coach Earnest Collins has been on the job for about a year, his hard work convincing athletes to sign with the Braves is much more evident. This past Wednesday, the Braves landed signatures from 23 high school and junior college athletes who will be joining the Braves in the fall.

“We had some needs we needed to fill, and the biggest one was on the offensive line,” Collins said. “We signed six total on Wednesday, so that was a big need we got filled.” In addition, Collins said he needed more athletes in the secondary, and competition at quarterback.

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JSU's Braddy in limbo about 11th game

Jackson State will not be able to schedule an 11th game unless the date of the Capital City Classic is changed, athletic director Bob Braddy insists. Braddy would like to see the game against Alcorn State moved to Thanksgiving day or, at least, during that week. The switch would open Nov. 21 for another nonconference game.

"We get inquiries (about playing) all the time," Braddy said. "Certainly, we'd love to have a money game. ... We've got Southeastern Louisiana, UAB and other schools in Alabama. "We can't do anything until we have the capability of having that open date." JSU currently has open dates on Sept. 26 and Oct. 31. Braddy said they could fill the Oct. 31 slot, but would need to move the Alcorn game to avoid playing eight consecutive weeks in a row.

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Alcorn State signs 17 players

LORMAN, MS — There will be 17 new faces on the Alcorn State football team next year. The university signed 17 high school athletes Wednesday on National Signing Day, and interim head coach Earnest Collins is excited for the future. “This is a great group of kids,” Collins said in a statement released Wednesday. “They wanted to come to Alcorn and play.” Among those signed are receivers Sam Randall, of Wingfield High in Jackson, and Tavoris Doss, of Sheffield High in Memphis, Tenn.

“Those two guys in particular fit the need that we have for getting some speed on the team,” Collins said. “They both can run, and they’re pretty shifty. They’ll come in right away and make a big impact on the return teams. They can do something special when they get out in space.” Four other Mississippians, defensive lineman Joel Clems, of Hattiesburg High, Armand Stevenson, a defensive back from Murrah High in Jackson, linebacker William Seliby, of Harrison Central in Saucier, and linebacker Robert Gainwell of Yazoo City High also signed Wednesday.

Collins said Seliby and Gainwell, along with Darryl Ward of Homestead (Fla.) High, will make a big impact on a Braves team that lost three guys off its linebacker corps this year. Also on defense, the Braves signed defensive lineman Patrick Christian, of Whitehaven High in Memphis, Elijah Young, of Bowling Green (Ky.) High and Kevaughn Williams, of W.H. Adamson High in Dallas.

To view the 2009 Signee List, click here.

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ASU Braves 2009 Football Signees

NAME POS HT. WT. HOMETOWN / LAST SCHOOL
Patrick Christian DL 6'4 210 Memphis, TN / Whitehaven H.S.
Joel Clems DL 6'1 280 Hattiesburg, MS / Hattiesburg H.S.
Tavoris Doss WR 5'9 175 Memphis, TN / Sheffield H.S.
Robert Gainwell LB 6'2 220 Yazoo City, MS / Yazoo City H.S.
Terrance Green TE 6'4 210 St. James, LA / St. James H.S.
Matthew Haynes OL 6'2 255 Indianapolis, IN / Warren Central H.S.
Larry Moore WR 5'9 185 New Orleans, LA / Edna Karr H.S.
Mark Nyainda DB 6'1 185 Grand Prairie, TX / Mansfield Timberview H.S.
Donte Parker ATH 5'11 175 Arlington, TX / Mansfield Timberview H.S.
Samuel Randall WR 5'9 165 Jackson, MS / Wingfield H.S.
William Seliby LB/RB 6'2 215 Saucier, MS / Harrison Central H.S.
Armand Stevenson DB 6'0 180 Jackson, MS / Murrah H.S.
Bobby Tatum OL 6'3 250 Forney, TX / Forney H.S.
Arnold Walker RB 6'0 195 Atlanta, GA / McNair H.S.
Darryl Ward LB 6'0 200 Homestead, FL / Homestead H.S.
Kevaughn Williams DL 6'1 280 Dallas, TX / W.H. Adamson H.S.
Elijah Young DL 6'3 285 Bowling Green, KY / Bowling Green H.S.

Alcorn fires coach again

Coach Ernest T. Jones ends Alcorn State coaching career with 2-10 record.

Ernest T. Jones was fired as Alcorn State’s football coach Tuesday, a year after being hired and three months after an eruption of firings, rehiring and a lawsuit.

In a statement released Tuesday, Alcorn officials said Jones “has been terminated on the grounds of malfeasance and contumacious conduct. The decision was reached following ASU’s fulfillment of due process procedures as indicated under the terms of Jones’ employment contract.” Contumacious is defined as a legal term meaning “obstinately disobedient or insubordinate.” “The decision was what we believed to be the best decision for the campus and our student-athletes. We feel we made the best decision for everyone involved,” Alcorn president Dr. George E. Ross said this morning.

Jones said Tuesday night he would speak with his attorney and make a statement “in a few days.” A university grievance committee rejected Jones’ appeal of his dismissal, bringing another chapter in the coach’s brief tenure at his alma mater to a close. Jones was first reported to have been fired Dec. 11, exactly one year after he was hired and a few days after all of his assistant coaches were fired and then reinstated. In later weeks, Jones sued Alcorn for breach of contract and was reinstated pending an appeal. In the lawsuit, Jones is seeking $3.5 million in damages. He agreed to a three-year, $140,000 per year contract in December 2007, although his lawsuit states he did not sign the contract until last summer and it contained different terms than he had agreed to.

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Dang Soap Opera!! Why leave a true Division I coaching position at Big East Conference Cincinnati to put yourself and family through this HBCU foolishness? Another example why talented Division I football professionals do not seek to place their career in jeopardy by answering the call from MEAC and SWAC football programs. Shame on Alcorn!! The only winner here is Jones' lawyers...They got paid!

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Purples’ Young verbals to SWAC’s Alcorn State

Young chose Alcorn State over Middle Tennessee, Marshall, Western Kentucky, Kentucky and Louisville.

Bowling Green H.S. (Kentucky) senior Elijah Young wanted to find a home away from home when deciding on a college choice. At Alcorn State in Mississippi, Young seems to have found just that. After making an official visit last weekend, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive tackle made his official verbal to the Braves this week. “Really what sold me was how personable they were when I was down there,” Young said today. “The coaches were very accepting of me and I really liked how they talked to me more like a person than other schools that I went to. “It was just really easy to get along with everybody and it just felt like a home away from home.”

A dominant force on the defensive front, Young finished last season with 54 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery before finishing the year on the Kentucky Associated Press’ first team all-state squad. For his career, Young posted 116 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception. The Purples finished the '08 season with a 9-2 record.

Young chose Alcorn State, a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivison’s Southwestern Athletic Conference, over Middle Tennessee, Marshall, Western Kentucky, Kentucky and Louisville. In addition to enjoying spending time with fellow players and coaches, another selling point for Young was the chance to play early.

View Video: Elijah Young Rankings, Grade, News, Stats - College Football ...

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Westlake’s Babb picks up offer from North Carolina A&T

Atlanta, GA - Westlake running back Devon Babb picked up his second offer last week, from North Carolina A&T in Greensboro that competes in the Division I-AA Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Babb has an offer from Alcorn State and plans to visit both schools. He said he is leaning toward Alcorn because his quarterback, Louis Kindle, has committed to the Braves, who compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

President says Jones is still Alcorn's coach

Alcorn State football coach Ernest T. Jones was fired on Thursday. Or he wasn’t. Or no one knows. One day after Jones’ attorney said he received a letter from the university informing him of the coach’s dismissal, Alcorn State President George Ross said this morning that Jones has not been fired. “Coach Jones is not fired. There are lawsuits filed, so I’m limited in what I can say. But Coach Jones has not been fired,” Ross said. “Ernest Jones is the head coach at Alcorn State University.”

Jones, on a recruiting trip, said that was welcome news, although he hadn’t heard from his attorneys or Alcorn officials today. “I’m on the road recruiting. All I hear is what I know from the newspapers, the TV and what you guys tell me,” Jones said. “I’m going to do my job until somebody tells me to park the truck and turn my keys in.” On Thursday, Jones’ attorney, Wayne Ferrell, told The Associated Press the firing was detailed in a letter from the university. Jones learned of his apparent dismissal from reporters and his attorney early Thursday afternoon. He had no contact about the matter from Alcorn officials, he said.

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JSU gets scare, but holds off feisty Alcorn

Ernest Jones, the first-year Alcorn coach, promised a program-defining victory over Jackson State. He missed on the noun, but he just might have been correct on the adjective. Alcorn didn't get the victory, but the Braves might have defined their program before an announced crowd of 33,005 on an absolutely pristine day for football at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Trailing 26-0 with five minutes to go in the third quarter, Alcorn scared the stripes off the JSU Tigers, losing 26-21 and throwing into the end zone for the potential winning score in the last minute.

"Thank God," JSU coach Rick Comegy said with a heavy sigh afterward. "That was way too close at the end." Give Alcorn credit. The Braves came into the game at 2-9 and having lost four straight. JSU came in, as SWAC East champions, having won five straight and headed to play an undetermined opponent for the league championship in three weeks.

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Attendance: 33,005 - Capital City Classic @ Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, MS

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Practice pays off for NMSU Aggies in win over Alcorn

LAS CRUCES, NM — The players said it. Coach Hal Mumme said it too. The New Mexico State Aggies went through possibly their most grueling practices of the year during the past week in preparation for Saturday's affair versus Alcorn State. The workouts came on the heals of the team's disappointing performance last weekend against the University of New Mexico — a 35-24 NMSU loss. The hard work paid off, as the Aggies pummeled the Braves 45-10 at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

"We got after it," Mumme said. "We weren't happy after last week's Lobo game. It wasn't the best week of practice but It was an intense week of practice and I think everybody was like me — pretty much mad at the world." During the week, the team worked specifically on running the football and solid play along both the offensive and defensive lines. NMSU responded, pounding Alcorn for 220 yards on the ground and recording six sacks on the defensive side of the ball while holding the Braves to minus 13 yards rushing.

Game Notes
Box Score

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ATTENDANCE: 11,374 (37.5%) at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM (Capacity: 30, 343).

Alcorn to collect bounty for long trip to NM State

Hurricane Gustav struck the Louisiana coastline Sept. 1 and canceled a football game between New Mexico State and Nicholls State. The storm caused billions of dollars of damage in the United States alone, but happened to put $250,000 in the coffers of the Alcorn State athletic department. Looking to add a 12th game, Alcorn athletic director Darren Hamilton noticed there was no way for the two programs to move the game because of schedule conflicts.

With a few phone calls, another team opting not to play NMS and a previous contact with athletic director McKinley Boston, Hamilton was able to negotiate the $250,000 pay game. "When you foster those relationships, opportunity presents itself," Hamilton said. Scheduling pay games isn't all about the cash, Hamilton noted, though it does play its part. Playing the allowed 12-game schedule helps in recruiting.

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On fan wrote the Clarion Ledger on this story.... At what price will ASU not take a *** whipping!! Funny, but a reasonable question to ask...

Week 5 - Battle of the SWAC Bands

Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band

Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm and Black Foxes @ Angel City Classic

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band & Dancing Dolls

Alcorn State University Sounds of Dynomite Marching Band & Golden Girls

Alcorn can’t close it out--SU Jaguars win!

Braves defense unable to hold Southern in end

LORMAN, Miss. — Alcorn State’s calling card came up short Saturday in its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Jack Spinks Stadium as Southern scored the go-ahead touchdown to topple the Braves 15-12 just before time expired. “There is no explanation for it (the defensive breakdowns),” said Alcorn senior linebacker Lee Robinson. “We just didn’t close the game out.”

Alcorn, clinging to a 3-0 lead headed into the second half surrendered two touchdowns as SU pieced together quick-strike scoring drives of 2:37 and 1:48. SU (2-2, 1-0 SWAC) got its first score as quarterback Bryant Lee hit Clevan White on a 16-yard strike putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3 with 4:09 left in the third. The drive was good for 10 plays and 86 yards. Then in the fourth quarter, after Lee was knocked out of the game following a Idly Etienne hit on the far sideline, reserve quarterback C.J. Byrd fumbled the snap on fourth and goal with 5:05 remaining and Alcorn took possession.

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Attendance: 22,500 (100%) for ASU Homecoming Game at Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, MS (Capacity: 22,500).

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Next Week: The Braves (1-4) travel to 1-A Western Athletic Conference, New Mexico State Aggies (1-2) in Las Cruces for a beat down and a quick paycheck.

The Southern Jaguars will be on the road to face Jackson State University, Jackson, MS for a 6 p.m. game.

Alcorn outduels UAPB 13-3 to give Jones 1st victory

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State quarterback Tim Buckley threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Arceneaux in the second quarter Thursday night, and the Braves hammered out a 13-3 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The win, which didn't count in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings, was the first for new Braves coach Ernest Jones and moved Alcorn to 1-3 on the season.

Alcorn's Taylor Richardson kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter and another from the same distance in the fourth to give the Braves some breathing room on a night they were outgained 216-205 in total yardage.UAPB (0-4) scored in the first quarter on Carlos Reyes' 25-yard field goal. Buckley completed 9 of 18 passes for 118 yards with no interceptions. Arceneaux caught six balls for 79 yards.

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Attendance: 2,500 (11%) at Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, MS (Capacity: 22,500).

Alcorn Braves face UA-Pine Bluff on ESPNU

LORMAN, MS — Ernest Jones is ready to get his first win as an Alcorn State head coach. So what better way to get it than under the lights at Jack Spinks Stadium with a television audience watching? That’s exactly the scenario Jones hopes plays out when the Braves (0-3) take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-3) in a primetime matchup at 6:30 p.m.(CST). The game will take place on ESPNU, which is available to subscribers of Dish Network and DirecTV.

“It’s great to have an ESPN football game right here at our own stadium in front of our alumni and fans,” Jones said. “It will be a great atmosphere with both teams looking for their first win. I’m looking for my first win as a coach and to get it on ESPN live for all our recruits is going to be awesome.” After a promising first game that saw them drop a close 34-28 decision to Southeastern Louisiana, the Braves have fallen on hard times the past two games — a 29-0 loss to Grambling (which did not count in the SWAC standings) followed by a 65-0 thrashing against Troy.

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Troy sets offensive records in 65-0 blowout of Alcorn Braves

TROY, AL -- Troy invited a previous national championship team back to campus Saturday and then went to work on the school's record book. The Trojans totaled a record 736 yards of total offense and tied quite a few others in Saturday's 65-0 win over Alcorn State.

The school's 1968 NAIA championship team saw its record for points in a half tied and two of its players watched a record they shared tied in Troy's home opener. "The No. 1 stat and No. 1 record is that one with three little prongs on it -- a W," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. "All the others don't make much difference." Sherrod Martin tied a school record with three interceptions, tying the record first set by Tyrone Ferguson and first tied by Ronnie Shelley in 1968. All of Martin's were in the second quarter.

GAME PHOTO GALLERY: Troy beats Alcorn State
GAME SUMMARY

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Attendance: 22,105 (74%) at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium, Troy, AL (Capacity: 30,000)

Grambling defense in championship form against Alcorn

PHOTO GALLERY:
Alcorn St. v. Grambling, 9/6
Grambling halftime show, 9/6
Grambling/Alcorn You Cam

GRAMBLING, LA -- Grambling State's Saturday night game against Alcorn State figured to be more telling than the Tigers' season opener against Nevada. The Grambling offense managed just five net rushing yards in last week's 49-13 loss, while the defense allowed 426 rushing yards. But surely those numbers were a product of the matchup -- Grambling was tussling with an FBS opponent.

Against ASU the talent level would be equal. The Tigers would be playing in the friendly confines of Robinson Stadium. Order would be restored. Right? Well, sort of. Grambling's defense put forth a great performance from start to finish, holding Alcorn State scoreless in the 29-0 victory. The Tigers created five turnovers, held the Braves to 176 yards of total offense -- including just 41 yards on the ground -- and created countless easy scoring opportunities.

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Attendance: 10,077 (51%) @ Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA (Capacity: 19,800).

Alcorn State at Grambling State

Alcorn State (0-1) at Grambling State (0-1)
WHEN: 6 p.m., Robinson Stadium (19,600)
TV: ESPN Classic (There will be a delayed taping of this matchup on ESPN Classic at 9 pm).
Radio:KPCH 99.3 FM (No Webcast)
SERIES: Grambling leads, 37-18-3
LAST MEETING: 2007, Grambling 31, Alcorn State 10
COACHES: Grambling, Rod Broadway (second season, 8-5, 41-16 overall); Alcorn, Ernest T. Jones (first season, 0-1)

Grambling took its lumps last week in its season opener falling 49-13 to Nevada. The young Tigers gave up 426 rushing yards and scored one offensive touchdown. The Alcorn State game puts Grambling on a more level playing field. Alcorn State fell to Southeastern Louisiana last week, 36-28, and returns 12 starters from last year’s 2-8 campaign. Both teams will be looking for a 1-0 start in SWAC play.

KEYS TO VICTORY: Grambling had great trouble running the ball against Nevada, finishing the game with just five net rushing yards. The Grambling offensive line needs a much better performance against Alcorn State. Sophomore quarterback Greg Dillon is still learning the ropes, and if Grambling can’t run the ball it puts too much pressure on Dillon.

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NEW DERISO BLOG: High expectations for Grambling's home opener
Grambling's young talent still has growing up to do
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SE Louisiana Lions stave off Alcorn Braves to spoil Jones' debut

LORMAN, MS - Ernest Jones saw his share of amazing comebacks in his playing days at Alcorn State during the Steve McNair era. In his head coaching debut at his alma mater, Jones came oh-so-close to seeing another one. Tim Buckley's fourth-down pass with six seconds left was just out of the grasp of Channin Pugh and Alcorn dropped a 34-28 heart breaker to Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night in the season opener at Jack Spinks Stadium.

"I marched up and down the field during that drive and told my guys that we have a chance," said Jones, who replaced Johnny Thomas. "I played with a miracle-maker. Steve McNair made miracles happen and games like that we were in all the time. The expectations were that we were going to drive down the field and win the football game." And the Braves almost did that.

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Attendance: 3,000, Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, MS (Capacity: 22,500)