Bulldogs fall to Alcorn State, 41-14

NORMAL – It wasn't the outcome that Alabama A&M fans were hoping but Alcorn State showed why it is the top team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Braves used three interceptions and a pair of bad snaps by the Bulldog punting unit in a 41-14 win Saturday at Louis Crews Stadium.

With the win, Alcorn State (6-1 SWAC, 8-2 overall) captures the SWAC Eastern Division and a trip to the conference championship game Dec. 6 in Houston.

The Bulldogs, who had an outside chance at the title if they won their final three games, fall to 3-4 in the conference and 4-6 overall.

The Braves held a 35-0 lead at the half and increased the margin to 41-0 before the Bulldogs answered with a pair of touchdowns by Devon Johnson.

"You can't get in a 35-0 hole against a team like that and expect to climb out," said Alabama A&M Head Coach James Spady. "There is a reason they're 6-1.

"But, I'm proud of our players. We kept in there and didn't give up."

Alcorn State jumped out early when quarterback John Gibbs Jr. broke loose on a 58-yard run on the fourth play of the game. The Braves made it 14-0 with 9:21 left in the quarter when a bad snap on a Bulldog punt gave Alcorn State the ball on the A&M 16.

The Bulldogs made a couple of defensive stands but another miscue by the punt team gave Alcorn State a first down on the Bulldog 32. On the first place, Gibbs found LaDarrie Davis for a 32-yard touchdown pass and the point-after made it 21-0 with 6:25 left in the half.

The Braves were on the move again at 4:52 of the half after picking off a Chris Leachman pass and returning it to the Bulldogs 5 yard line. Anthony Williams scored from 3 yards out on the second play.

With 32 seconds left in the half, Leachman fumbled as he was being sacked and the Braves recovered at their own 45. After a 24-yard pass moved the ball to the A&M 31, Gibbs kept the ball and ran 31 yards for the touchdown as the clock ran out in the half with the Braves holding a 35-0 lead.

Leachman was injured on the play and didn't return for the second half.

Jaymason Lee, who sat out last week after being injured in the Magic City Classic, returned to the lineup added a little spark to the offense.

Another Alcorn State touchdown made the score 41-0 but Lee connected with Johnson on a 9-yard pass as the quarter ended to cut the margin to 41-14. The score capped an 11-play, 71-yard drive that was the Bulldogs' best offensive showing of the game.

With 5:59 left in the game, Lee found Johnson in the back of the endzone for a 24-yard scoring pass and the final 41-14 score.

The Bulldogs host Prairie View A&M next week on Senior Day.

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