A three-game losing streak has Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins in a foul mood.

Thursday night, the Braves can address his concerns when they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Jack Spinks Stadium at 6:30.

Alcorn State (3-3, 2-2 in the SWAC) got off to a 3-0 start, which included conference wins over Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M. Then came a paycheck game at Mississippi State, where the Braves accquitted themselves well for three quarters before falling 49-16. The loss in Starkville to the Bulldogs, ranked 24th in the AP poll, was followed by SWAC losses to Texas Southern (30-20) and Grambling State (38-28).

Collins said the Braves have lost their way during the slide.

“We need to get back to good football,” Collins said. “We haven’t played good team football in the last couple of weeks.”

Collins felt he learned some things about his club at Mississippi State.

“We don’t quit,” Collins answered. “It was the same thing at Grambling. We got down and came back.”

The Braves were down 28-7 to Grambing but climbed back in the game late.

Pine Bluff (3-3, 2-2) has identical overall and SWAC records. That’s not all either, Collins said.

“They have a balanced team offense,” Collins said. “They are pretty salty up front. The quarterback (Josh) Boudreaux is good and (Raymond) Webber has been catching the ball all over the SWAC.”

Boudreaux is one of the SWAC’s leaders in passing efficiency at 137.9. He has completed 112 of 185 passes for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns. Webber is one of the league’s top receivers with 56 catches for 719 yards and seven scores.

Providing balance in the run game are four different backs as the Lions are averaging 132.3 yards per game.

Collins said the Pine Bluff defense is stout as well. UAPB has allowed just 16 points in the first quarter this season.

The Braves will counter with an offense led by Toronto native Brandon Bridge. Bridge had a 78-yard touchdown run against Mississippi State in the first half to shock one of the Southeastern Conference’s better defenses.

This season, Bridge has completed 83 of 157 passes for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns. He has run for another 289 yards and four scores.

The top receivers for the Braves are Ryan Singleton (27 catches for 301 yards, three TDs) and Edward Johnson (19 for 281, three TDs).

The Braves’ defense is paced by He Tonye-Tonye with 48 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Linebacker Josh Cragin has 44 stops and two interceptions. Tackle Malcolm Taylor has seven tackles for loss.

“We need to get back playing like we were at the start of the year,” Collins said. “And then we need to keep it rolling.”