Late pick-six lifts Alcorn to 17-14 win over Bethune-Cookman

Courtesy of Alcorn State Athletics

14

Bethune-Cookman 2-8 , 2-5

17

 Alcorn 5-5 , 4-3

LORMAN, Miss. – Andrew Smith’s 50-yard interception return for touchdown late in the fourth quarter allowed Alcorn to defeat visiting Bethune-Cookman, 17-14 on Saturday evening in Southwestern Athletic Conference Football action at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium.

Alcorn (5-5, 4-3 SWAC) trailed 14-10 late in the fourth quarter after the Braves were forced into four turnovers overall in the game.

With Bethune-Cookman (2-8, 2-5 SWAC) taking over at the Alcorn 49-yard line and the clock showing just under six minutes remaining in regulation, Wildcats quarterback Jalon Jones threw a pass towards the BCU sideline that was picked off by Alcorn defensive back Andrew Smith and returned 50 yards for the game-winning score.

For Smith, a junior from Mansfield, Texas, the interception was the first of its kind for the Mansfield Legacy High product this season.

Bethune-Cookman would take its first lead of the game in the early stages of the fourth quarter.

A 12-play, 68-yard drive that took over five minutes off the clock saw the Wildcats’ Jones connect with Preseason All-SWAC selection Kemari Averett from 10 yards out for the score, putting the Wildcats up, 14-10 following the extra point from Dylan Moghaddam.

After a scoreless first quarter, the homestanding Braves got on the board first with 8:12 remaining in the opening half.

Alcorn employed a two-quarterback system with a “Wildcat” formation for much of the game with quarterback Tre Lawrence and receiver Tevarrius Adams sharing time behind center. The Braves would march 47 yards in 10 plays, using Walter Payton Award Watch List running back Jarveon Howard’s 12-yard burst up the middle for the game’s opening score.

The PAT from Noah Kiani was true to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

The Braves drove 45 yards in 13 plays on their ensuing possession, as Kiani connected on a 27-yard field goal to extend the Alcorn lead at 10-0 at the half.

The third quarter saw the visitors get themselves back into the game by stretching the Alcorn defense with the passing game taking form for the Wildcats.

Quarterback Jones finished the game 22-of-34 passing for 228 yards and a touchdown in the loss for BCU.

After Braves quarterback Lawrence was strip-sacked by the Wildcats’ Eddie Walls III and the ball returned 32 yards by Walls into Braves territory at the Alcorn eight-yard line, it took the Wildcats just three plays to capitalize.

Jones would call his number around the right side for the touchdown, cutting into the lead, 10-7 with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter.

For the Braves, the come-from-behind win is the second of its kind in as many weeks, with the Purple and Gold securing an overtime win away to Prairie View A&M last Friday evening in Texas.

Bethune-Cookman was limited to just 37 yards rushing in the game, while the Braves countered with 156 on the ground.

Que’Shaun Byrd led the Wildcats rushing attack with 15 yards, while Jones added 12 – including his third quarter score. TreSean Smith had a game-high 12 tackles while teammate Uriah Ratliff had 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

For Alcorn, Howard paced the offense with 129 yards rushing and a touchdown. Lawrence was 5-for-13 passing in the game for 35 yards. Terreance Ellis registered a team-high 10 tackles for the defensive unit, while Keyron Kinsler Jr. and Claudin Cherelus provided six tackles apiece. Kinsler also had a forced fumble and a pass breakup on the day.

Alcorn returns home to Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium next weekend when playing host to in-state opponent Jackson State on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. for the annual “Soul Bowl”.

Next Game:
Jackson State
11/19/2022 | 2 p.m.
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Team Statistics

2ND QUARTER
08:12 – ALC – Howard,Jarveon 12 yd run (Kiani,Noah kick), 10 plays, 47 yards, TOP 03:52	0	7
01:51 – ALC – Kiani,Noah 27 yd field goal 13 plays, 45 yards, TOP 04:37	0	10
3RD QUARTER
07:37 – BCU – Jones,Jalon 9 yd run (Moghaddam,Dylan kick), 3 plays, 8 yards, TOP 00:52	7	10
4TH QUARTER
13:32 – BCU – Averett,Kemari 10 yd pass from Jones,Jalon (Moghaddam,Dylan kick) 12 plays, 68 yards, TOP 05:19	14	10
04:39 – ALC – Smith,Andrew 50 yd interception (Kiani,Noah kick)	14	17