Alcorn State got off to a good start Sunday, then got stopped in its tracks by forces it couldn’t control.

The Braves’ season opener against Bethune-Cookman in the SWAC/MEAC Challenge in Daytona Beach, Fla., was halted by lightning, and then called after a three-hour delay Sunday afternoon. The game was ruled a no contest and will not be resumed or rescheduled.

Alcorn was leading 13-7 with 7:34 left in the second quarter when the game was stopped.

Alcorn quarterback Lenorris Footman had completed eight of his nine passing attempts for 95 yards and a pair of touchdown passes to Jaborian McKenzie and De’Lance Turner. The two TD passes came in a span of 26 seconds. Footman found McKenzie for a game-tying touchdown, and then after Bethune-Cookman fumbled on the next play from scrimmage he hit Turner on a deep pass on the left side to make it 13-7 with 8:50 left in the second quarter.

Marquis Warford ran for 36 yards on six carries. Since the game was ruled a no contest, however, none of the stats will count toward the season totals.

Alcorn will return home to host Alabama State on Saturday in its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Jack Spinks Stadium.