Taylor Denman

The Natchez Democrat

LORMAN — In one of the most stunning upsets in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in recent years, Arkansas-Pine Bluff came into Lorman on Thursday night and knocked off a banged-up Alcorn State squad 45-43 in triple overtime.

Alcorn had won the last two SWAC championships and three consecutive meetings in the series. It had outscored UAPB 117-20 the past two years as the Golden Lions went 8-25 since 2013 and were coming off a two-win season in 2015.

Alcorn (1-1, 1-1 SWAC), however, was without starting quarterback Lenorris Footman and starting running back Marquis Warford. Head coach Fred McNair gave both players the night off as they tried to heal injuries suffered in last week’s win over Alabama State.

“You don’t blame a game on players being out,” McNair said. “We don’t want to put guys in jeopardy of reinjuring, and I thought this was a good opportunity to give them some rest.”

Alcorn scored 28 straight points to overcome an early deficit and take what seemed to be a commanding lead. Backup quarterback Noah Johnson scored on a 6-yard run with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter to put the Braves ahead 30-14.

Johnson also threw three touchdown passes during Alcorn’s surge and finished 30-of-41 passing for 355 yards, with the three TDs and no interceptions. He also ran for 62 yards and three touchdowns.

UAPB put pressure on the Braves when quarterback Brandon Duncan connected with John Hawkins for a touchdown and completed a successful 2-point conversion pass to trim the deficit to 30-22 with 5:55 left in the game.

The Golden Lions forced a punt to get the ball back and, without a timeout, went 64 yards in seven plays for the tying score. Duncan completed 4 of 6 passes for 58 yards on the drive, and Dante McDonald capped it off with an 11-yard touchdown run. Duncan then hit Cody Swain on a 2-point conversion pass to tie it at 30 with 58 seconds left.

Duncan finished the game 29-of-52 passing for 505 yards and four touchdowns. He was sacked seven times, but did not throw an interception.”

“UAPB’s quarterback was capitalizing on our mistakes. We had a couple of mental busts and miscommunications. We did not execute on our calls or attacking the ball,” Alcorn defensive back D’Andre Smith said.

Alcorn State took the first offensive possession in overtime, and Johnson fumbled on the second play. It was Alcorn State’s sixth fumble of the game, and the second that it lost. The Braves were able to extend the game by forcing a turnover on UAPB’s possession.

“Anytime you have turnovers you can point to that as missed execution,” McNair said. “We’ve been putting the ball on the ground too much.”

Each team scored on its second overtime possession, and in the third overtime period Johnson scored on a 4-yard run to give Alcorn a 43-37 lead. He was stopped on the 2-point try, however, to open the door for UAPB.

Duncan threw a 25-yard touchdown pass on the Lions’ first play, and then found Hawkins in the end zone for the 2-point conversion and the 45-43 win.

Alcorn’s De’Lance Turner tallied 90 rushing yards on 18 carries, and Arron Baker had 45 yards on eight carries.

Jaborian McKenzie had 119 yards receiving and a touchdown for Alcorn, while UAPB’s Willie Young caught 13 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

Three Alcorn State defensive backs were credited with pass breakups in the game, but the Braves saw several of Duncan’s passes bounce in and out of their hands.

“We didn’t play as well as I expected the first half. Second half I thought we were in control. We led at a point in the fourth quarter, but we gave up some late touchdowns,” McNair said. “We were unable to execute and do what we had to do. We just fell short on that one. We thought we were going to muscle it in in overtime but we were unable to do that. The team that executes best wins.”

Alcorn will return to action Saturday, Sept. 24, when it goes on the road to play Grambling.