by Don Mooney
photo by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Alcorn State University delivered a performance for the Southern Heritage Classic record books Saturday night, rallying from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and outlasting the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 53-51, in double overtime in the 37th Southern Heritage Classic at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
photo by Don Mooney
The 104 combined points marked the highest-scoring game in Southern Heritage Classic history, while the contest became just the fourth overtime game in Classic history and the first since 2006. Alcorn improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the SWAC. The Braves produced 702 yards of total offense, including 488 through the air and 214 on the ground, and recorded 34 first downs in the victory.
Quarterback Jaylon Tolbert authored a career night, completing 32-of-45 passes for a career-high 488 yards and five touchdowns. His 488 passing yards made him the first Alcorn quarterback to throw for at least 400 yards in a game since LenNorris Footman against McNeese State in 2017. Tolbert also established career highs in both passing yards and touchdown passes while averaging 10.8 yards per attempt and completing passes to 12 different receivers.
photo by Toni Washington
Running back Ernest Temple was equally instrumental in the victory, turning in a 200-yard all-purpose performance. Temple rushed 28 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown in the second overtime, while adding five receptions for 56 yards. His 200 all-purpose yards led the Braves and gave Alcorn a consistent presence on the ground throughout the marathon contest.
photo by Don Mooney
Alcorn jumped out quickly behind Tolbert’s arm. The Braves marched 86 yards on their opening possession, with Tolbert finding Tyree Kelly for a 28-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. After UAPB answered with a field goal, Tolbert connected with Nolan Chambers for a 23-yard touchdown, putting the Braves ahead 12-3 with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter.
The Golden Lions pulled within 12-10 early in the second quarter before Temple capped an eight-play, 54-yard Alcorn drive with a one-yard touchdown run to extend the advantage to 18-10. UAPB answered late in the half with Garrison Davis’ 39-yard touchdown pass to D’Avery Robinson, cutting Alcorn’s halftime lead to 18-17.
photo by Toni Washington
UAPB took its first lead of the night in the third quarter when Davis connected with Jordan Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown, putting the Golden Lions ahead, 24-18. The deficit grew early in the fourth quarter when Michael Henderson intercepted Tolbert in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, giving UAPB a 31-18 advantage. Alcorn immediately responded, driving 75 yards in six plays before Fredrick Robertson scored on a four-yard run to trim the margin to 31-24.
UAPB appeared to regain control when Za’Marion Webber broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run with 9:40 remaining, pushing the Golden Lions’ advantage to 38-24.
photo by Don Mooney
What followed was a furious Alcorn comeback. Just 19 seconds later, Tolbert found Kelly for a 68-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 38-31. After the Alcorn defense forced a three-and-out and UAPB later missed a 41-yard field goal, Tolbert and the Braves went back to work.
Alcorn drove 76 yards in seven plays, with Tolbert finding Damien Jones for a nine-yard touchdown with 3:50 remaining. Demetrion Duvall’s extra point tied the game at 38-38, completing Alcorn’s comeback from 14 points down. The Braves had an opportunity to win in regulation after getting the football back with 1:52 remaining. Alcorn drove from its own 42-yard line to the UAPB 3, but Duvall’s 21-yard field-goal attempt was blocked as time expired, sending the Southern Heritage Classic into overtime. UAPB scored first in the opening overtime when Davis found Paul Summers II for a seven-yard touchdown, giving the Golden Lions a 45-38 advantage.
Facing fourth down on its ensuing possession, Alcorn kept the game alive before Tolbert connected with Armon Wright for a three-yard touchdown. Carson Wilt converted the extra point, tying the game at 45 and forcing a second overtime. Alcorn possessed the ball first in the second overtime. The Braves moved the ball to the UAPB 2-yard line, where Temple powered into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the night. Robertson then found Caleb Anderson for the two-point conversion, giving Alcorn a 53-45 lead. UAPB answered when Jaylen Jennings scored on an 18-yard run to make it 53-51. With the Golden Lions needing a two-point conversion to extend the game, Davis’ pass attempt to Owen Colpeart failed, setting off the Alcorn celebration and sealing one of the most memorable victories in Southern Heritage Classic history.
Kelly turned in a career night of his own, leading the Alcorn receiving corps with six receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by his 68-yard fourth-quarter score. Wright caught six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, Jones finished with four catches for 59 yards and a score, and Chambers added a 23-yard touchdown reception. Temple’s five catches for 56 yards complemented his 144-yard rushing effort.
Defensively, Timothy Jasper led the Braves with 13 tackles and added an interception. Elijah Ruffin, Jordan Daniel, Kyshawn Kimble and Jayden Davis each recorded five tackles. Alcorn registered three sacks, with Kenneth Andrews, Dillon Crowell and Jakel Houston-Irving each recording one. Ruffin forced a fumble, while Mahamadou Diarra recovered one.
Alcorn’s offense finished with 702 total yards on 90 plays, averaging 7.8 yards per play. The Braves accumulated 34 first downs, rushed for 214 yards and scored eight offensive touchdowns — five passing and three rushing.
The victory gave Alcorn its first SWAC win of the season and improved the Braves to 2-1 overall.