The Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves earned a 43-40 overtime victory over the Texas Southern University (TSU) Tigers on Saturday, September 26, at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
Alcorn started strong and held a 13-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Jaylon Tolbert connected with Fredrick Robertson for a 27-yard touchdown and later found Elijah Griffin for a 14-yard touchdown.
The Braves continued to add to their lead in the second quarter as Robertson scored two rushing touchdowns from two-yards out. Texas Southern added a touchdown and field goal of its own, but the Braves went into halftime with a 27-12 lead.
ASU added another touchdown in the third quarter after Jaylen McRoy forced and recovered a Texas Southern fumble. Carl McDonald Jr. finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give Alcorn a 34-12 lead. Texas Southern scored later in the quarter to cut Alcorn’s lead to 34-19.
TSU fought back in the fourth quarter and scored 15 points to tie the game at 34. Alcorn responded with a 35-yard field goal from Kenyon Bowyer with 27 seconds left to take a 37-34 lead. Texas Southern made a 25-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime tied at 37.
Texas Southern opened overtime with a 48-yard field goal to take a 40-37 lead. Alcorn answered on its possession when Robertson scored on a one-yard run to give the Braves the 43-40 victory.
Tolbert had a strong performance for Alcorn, completing 26 of 41 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 79-yards on 12 carries.
Robertson led Alcorn on the ground with 105 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries. He also caught five passes for 70-yards and one touchdown, finishing the game with four touchdowns. Armon Wright added five catches for 61-yards, while Griffin finished with three catches for 45-yards and one touchdown.
The Braves finished the game with 520-yards of total offense. Alcorn recorded 332 passing yards and 188 rushing yards while finishing with 27 first downs. The Braves also scored on all six of their trips to the red zone.
On defense, Mahamadou Diarra led Alcorn with nine solo tackles and one sack. Dillon Crowell followed with eight tackles. McRoy’s forced fumble and recovery helped the Braves turn a defensive stop into a touchdown.
With the win, Alcorn improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Braves continue Southwestern Athletic Conference play on Saturday, October 3rd versus the Grambling State University Tigers at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
(Photo Credit: alcornsports.com)
