John Gibbs, Jr. rushed for a game-high 155 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping the Braves punch their ticket to Houston for the SWAC Championship game with a 41-14 victory over Alabama A&M.

Gibbs had touchdown runs of 58 and 31 yards, and threw a 32-yard TD pass to LaDarrien Davis. Anthony Williams III ran for 7- and 3-yard scores and Alcorn State led 35-0 at halftime. Gibbs finished with 155 yards rushing and 77 yards passing.

Gibbs got the Braves’ offense rolling on the first drive, scampering for a 58-yard touchdown to put the Alcorn State ahead 7-0.

Alabama A&M turned the ball over on a bad snap on the ensuing possession, giving the Braves great field position inside the Bulldogs’ 20 yard line.  The Braves offense capitalized off the Bulldogs miscue with a seven yard touchdown by Anthony Williams III.

Midway through the second quarter senior defensive back Hendrick Taylor intercepted a pass and ran for a few to give the Braves great field position once again.  On the ensuing play, Gibbs connected with LaDarrien Davis for a 32-yard touchdown to extend the Braves lead to 21-0 with 6:15 to play before the half.

Williams III found the end zone again at the 4:08 mark of the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown to push the Braves lead to 28-0.

Just before the half, Gibbs rushed from 31 yards out to score his second rushing touchdown of the day.  The Braves went into the locker room with a 35-0 advantage.

Late in the third, Arron Baker increased the Braves lead to 41-0 on a two-yard touchdown.

Alabama A&M scored two touchdowns late in the third and close to the end of the fourth.

Kicker Haiden McCraney punted the ball 10 times for 44.9 yards and placed three inside the 20 yard line.  Desmond Stevenson led all defensive players with 13 tackles and two sacks.

The win was the first time Alcorn State has won the East division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference since the conference switched to this format in 1999.

The Braves will now look to finish the season strong against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and rival Jackson State.

Alcorn State moves to 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the conference with Arkansas-Pine Bluff making their way to Lorman next Saturday.  Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

The Braves will wrap up season play at home against rival Jackson State at 2 p.m. in Jack Spinks Stadium.