Already 0-2 in SWAC, Braves would fall into a deep hole with a loss against Alabama State.
Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas doesn't mince words when he talks about the importance of Saturday's game at Alabama State.
"This will be the defining moment of our season," Thomas said. "If we win this game in Montgomery, we'll come back home with a chance to get into the race. But if we lose three conference games to start the season, it's going to be very hard to recover."
"(Alabama State) is simply making the big plays to win ballgames," Thomas said. "They're not blowing anyone out. They're just executing and doing what they have to do to win."Alcorn State (0-3 overall, 0-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has had all kinds of trouble on offense this season, scoring just 4.3 points per game. The latest loss was a 22-0 shutout against UAB, a Division I-A team in Conference USA.
Thomas said the team's problems have to do with a lack of execution and the team isn't panicking because of a few bad games.
"We've got a plan in place that can get the job done," Thomas said. "Now we just have to make the big play at the crucial juncture of drives."
The Braves received some bad news this week when they learned offensive tackle Todd Johnson (6 feet 2, 320 pounds) is out for the season after breaking his ankle against UAB. Thomas said Jammal Young (6-3, 325) will take Johnson's place on the line.
Alcorn quarterback Tony Hobson is still likely on the shelf with two bruised fingers on his throwing hand. Thomas said Hobson returned to practice, but senior Chris Walker had taken most of the snaps and would start against Alabama State.
"Chris has had some good moments for us," Thomas said. "Now we've got to have him make better decisions in the red zone."
The Braves will face an Alabama State (3-0, 2-0 SWAC) team that's had plenty of success under first-year coach Reggie Barlow.
The Hornets have the SWAC's leading rusher in Jay Peck, who's averaged more than 115 yards per game.
Catch This
Alabama A&M at Grambling
Grambling faces its toughest conference task under new coach Rod Broadway when it hosts Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion. Led by senior quarterback Kelcy Luke, Alabama A&M is scoring 45 points per game and has won all of its games by at least three touchdowns. Grambling roughed up Alcorn State in its opening game before losing to Division I-A Pittsburgh two weeks ago.
Saturday, 6 p.m.
SOUTHERN U. STAR BENCHED
Southern U. wide receiver Gerard Landry was ejected for fighting in the fourth quarter during last week's 12-2 victory over Prairie View A&M and will have to sit out the first half of this Saturday's game against Tennessee State per NCAA rules.
Landry has caught 12 passes this season for a team-high 172 yards and three touchdowns.
Southern coach Pete Richardson said Landry shouldn't have let his emotions get away from him, especially "because he means so much to our football program."
After two straight losing seasons, Southern has started this year with a three-game winning streak.
The Jaguars have the second-best scoring offense in the SWAC. Quarterback Bryant Lee has thrown for 565 yards and five touchdowns while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. Running back Darren Coates has rushed for 226 yards and averaged 7.3 yards per carry.
EXTRA POINTS
After losing to Jackson State 28-7 last week in a driving rainstorm, life doesn't get any easier for Texas Southern. The Maroon Tigers (0-3 overall, 0-3 SWAC) take on UTEP, a Division I-A team in Conference USA. ...
Despite Alcorn State's dismal offense, senior Nate Hughes is leading the SWAC with 188.7 all-purpose yards per game. He has 245 yards receiving, 255 on kick returns and 67 on punt returns. ...
The SWAC's preseason defensive player of the year, Jarmaul George, has lived up to the hype. The safety's two interceptions trail only Jackson State's Malcolm Palmer and Domonique Johnson for the most in the conference. ...
SWAC STANDINGS
East Division
SWAC All
Alabama State 2-0 3-0
Alabama A&M 1-0 3-0
Jackson State 1-0 1-2
Mississippi Valley 1-2 1-2
Alcorn State 0-2 0-3
West Division
SWAC All
Southern U. 2-0 3-0
Grambling 1-0 1-1
Prairie View 1-1 2-1
Ark.-Pine Bluff 1-2 1-2
Tx. Southern 0-3 0-3
Last Week
Jackson State 28, Tx. Southern 7
Alabama St. 12, UAPB 10
Alabama A&M 45, MVSU 14
UAB 22, Alcorn State 0
Southern 12, Prairie View 2
Saturday
UAPB at S. Illinois, 1:30 p.m.
Jackson St. at MVSU, 4 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Grambling, 6 p.m.
Tennessee St. at Southern, 6 p.m.
Alcorn St. at Alabama St., 7 p.m.
Tx. Southern at UTEP, 7 p.m.
