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MONTGOMERY, Ala. | After a four-hour lightning delay, Alabama State committed a season-high five turnovers that Alcorn State was able to punch in for a pair of touchdowns en route to a 35-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East Division victory Saturday night.
The game was originally scheduled for 2 pm, however, storms moved through the central Alabama region pushing kick back to 6 pm in Montgomery.
Alcorn State (4-2, 3-0 SWAC) scored on their first possession of the game following a Hornet turnover, using an eight-yard pass from Felix Harper to LeCharles Pringle with 12:30 to play in the opening quarter. After the ensuing extra point, the Braves led 3-0.
The Braves used another turnover to punch in their second touchdown of the game, following a fumble, when Harper ran it in from 18 yards out for a 14-0 lead with 4:47 left to play in the opening quarter.
Alcorn State added another pair of scores to take a 28-0 lead, before Alabama State (2-3, 1-1 SWAC) was able to get on the board. The Hornets used a seven-play, 78-yard drive that used 3:48 on the clock and culminated with a 29-yard pass from KHA’Darris Davis to Michael Jefferson to trim the lead to 28-7 in the third.
The Hornets had another chance deep in Alcorn State territory in the third, however, Alcorn State was able to turn the Hornets away on a fourth down inside the 10. They added another score with 9:54 to play on a 22-yard from Harper for the final margin.
Davis finished the night 12-of-26 for 161 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions; while Jefferson hauled in five catches for 62 yards. Moses Marshall finished with four receptions, while Ezra Gray led the rushing attack with 49 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, Colton Adams led Alabama State with nine tackles, including three solo, in his first contest back from a preseason injury. Irshaad Davis added eight tackles and Christian Clark six in the loss.
Alabama State returns to action next weekend on the road in conference action against Jackson State. Kick is set for 2 pm at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Post-Game Notes
The game was delayed four hours Saturday after the two teams went into the locker room. Kick was originally scheduled for 2 pm but was pushed back to 6 pm.
Two of the last four meetings have been decided by three points or less in the series, with Alabama State winning last year 28-25. Alcorn State won 21-18 in 2016 – with both games played in Lorman.
The two teams met for the first time in 1934, playing back-to-back years before not playing again until 1939. Following that contest, the two teams took a break until 1977 and have played each year since. The Braves lead the all-time series 24-21.
Alabama State is 1-2 after a bye week under head coach Donald Hill-Eley following the 2018 season. The Hornets won against Alcorn State last season following a bye week, and dropped a game against Alabama A&M.
Adams played his first game of the season, following a preseason injury, leading the team in tackles in his collegiate debut with nine. Two-time STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week honorable mention selection Irshaad Davis finished the night with eight tackles.
Nicholas Terry and Christian Clark each recorded their first career sack in the loss, while Adams finished with a pair of tackles for loss. Clark and Terry each finished with three tackles for loss.
Davis threw his 19th career touchdown to Michael Jefferson – his ninth career. The sophomore receiver hauled in five catches to give him 23 on the season to lead the team.\
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