Alcorn State 24, Langston 7

September 17, 2005

ALCORN STATE, Miss. ­ Tony Hobson threw his first collegiate touchdown, and Vernardus Cooper scored two rushing touchdowns to lead Alcorn State to its first victory of the season.

The 24-7 victory over Langston was tense through the first three quarters, but Alcorn scored two touchdowns in the final 7:58 to secure the victory.

“We’ve very happy to win the football game,” Alcorn coach Johnny Thomas said. “Obviously, any time you win a football game, it’s a plus.

“Winning just does something for the human spirit.” Alcorn relied on a rugged rushing game for the second straight week, as young quarterbacks Oliver Bozeman and Hobson struggled to get the ball downfield.

Jeremy McCoy led the way with 93 yards on 11 carries, and Cooper added 77 yards on 12 carries.

Cooper scored on runs of 8 and 13 yards.

“We have a lot of great backs, and the running game takes a lot of pressure off me,” Hobson said.

Bozeman started at quarterback for Alcorn ­ completing four of his first five passes and leading the Braves to a first-quarter touchdown ­ but Hobson entered the game in the second quarter.

Alcorn struggled throughout the first half, as Langston controlled the clock for much of the second quarter. The game was tied at 7 at halftime.

Hobson then gave Alcorn its first big play early in the third quarter.

Hobson completed a 59-yard pass to wide receiver Charlie Spiller, setting up a 29-yard field goal by Jeremy Shea with 9:50 to play in the third quarter.

“We didn’t play well in the first half, but we came back in the second half and made some sustained drives,” Thomas said.

The Alcorn defense then stiffened, thanks in part to three sacks by Martin Jackson, to give the offense time to mature.

Cooper capped a three-play, 48-yard drive with a 13-yard run with 7:58 to play. That gave Alcorn a 17-7 lead.

The Braves then put the game out of reach with 2:28 to play when Hobson rolled right and found Tabari Lott open in the flat. Lott caught the pass, broke a tackle at the 10 and dove into the end zone for a touchdown.

Shea’s extra point made it 24-7 with 2:28 to play.

The touchdown provided vindication for Hobson, who was slowed by a bruised back through August.

“He’s doing and outstanding job with limited reps,” Thomas said. “He’s getting a crash course in our offensive scheme. We’re going to have some growing pains with him, as well as with Bozeman.” Hobson finished 4-of-11 for 110 yards and two interceptions. Bozeman was 6-of-8 for 58 yards.

Alcorn took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Cooper capped a 16-play, 80-yard drive with an 8-yard TD run. Langston countered with a late touchdown, as Jeff Martin caught a 10-yard touchdown from Kendrick Dozier with just 34 seconds to play before halftime.

Alcorn’s running game prevented the upset, though as McCoy and Cooper averaged more than 6 yards per carry.

“The line did a great job tonight,” Cooper said.

“Without them, the running backs couldn’t do their job.” Alcorn now turns its attention next week’s game against defending SWAC champion Alabama State. Alcorn must travel to Montgomery, Ala., for the game.

“You’ve got to beat the champ to be the champ,” Thomas said. “That’s going to be a very difficult task, but we’ve got to find a way to do it.”