Alcorn defensive back DeShaun Lewis (22) blocks Jackson State’s Earnest Bozeman on a kick return during Saturday’s Capital City Classic. Alcorn’s Lonnie Teagle (21) is returning the kick. (Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[11/21/04]JACKSON The only thing uglier than the weather Saturday was the way Alcorn and Jackson State played in the Capital City Classic.

The annual grudge match between the archrivals was littered with dropped passes, fumbles, blocked kicks and general offensive ineptitude. The team combined for six turnovers and 419 yards of total offense.

It all added up to a 16-14 Alcorn win that was so sloppy, the offensive player of the game didn’t even play the last three quarters and the defensive honoree was a punter.

“I think it was a big win. It wasn’t the most exciting game, with the score, but it was a big win for us,” said Alcorn receiver Nate Hughes, who caught four passes for 55 yards, all in the first half. “We had 17 seniors this year, and they went through an 0-11 season at one point. For them to go out with four straight winning seasons, I feel like it was a good win for us.”

The tone of the game was set on the opening kickoff.

Jackson State’s Cletis Gordon tried to field the bouncing squib kick with one hand at the 20-yard line and fumbled. Alcorn’s Arthur Nichols recovered, leading to a 30-yard David McConnell field goal and a 3-0 Braves’ lead.

Alcorn (7-4, 4-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) held JSU (4-7, 3-4) on the ensuing possession, but the Tigers pinned Alcorn at its own 4-yard line with a punt. On the next play, Alcorn quarterback Donald Carrie rolled out in the end zone and threw to a wide-open Gordon at the 14.

Gordon, of course, plays for Jackson State.

The interception set up a 6-yard TD pass from Brian Green to Chris Jones two plays later, giving JSU a 7-3 lead.

The interception on his first pass attempt was one of the few mistakes Carrie made. He completed 10 of his next 13 passes for 102 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown to Jacob Davis on the second play of the second quarter that put Alcorn ahead 10-7.

Unfortunately for the Braves, it was Carrie’s last completion of the day. On their next series, he was sacked by JSU’s Kentrael Goudy and suffered a dislocated shoulder. The injury ended his day and career at Alcorn, but he was still selected the game’s offensive MVP.

“I didn’t want it to end by me not playing the whole game, but I wanted it to end with us having a victory, and I’m glad that’s what we came out with,” said Carrie, who finished his career second on Alcorn’s career passing yardage list.

Carrie earned the award because no one else deserved it. Oliver Bozeman replaced him and threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Clark late in the first half to put the Braves ahead 16-7 the extra point, like the field goal on Alcorn’s previous possession, was blocked but led the Braves to just two first downs in nearly three quarters of work.

Both times Alcorn got a first down, however, Bozeman fumbled on the next play. He recovered one, but lost the other. The touchdown was set up by an Alcorn interception.

“Carrie started throwing pretty good, and that did help us when he went out,” said JSU linebacker Joseph Scott, who had a game-high 13 tackles. “We were more on the run side instead of looking out for the pass.”

Jackson State put together one of the few true drives by either team to close the gap in the fourth quarter. David Kinnebrew’s 5-yard TD run with 9:24 to play capped a nine-play, 44-yard march and cut it to 16-14.

Jackson State’s defense held Alcorn in check and got the ball back twice for its offense, but the Tigers were unable to move it. Both drives ended without a first down.

JSU’s last possession started at its own 8-yard line with 2:47 left. Tigers’ coach James Bell called three running plays and a pass, which fell incomplete, and Alcorn was able to run out the clock.