Alcorn State 38, Southern 16

October 22, 2005

BATON ROUGE, La. ­ Start with Alcorn State receiver Charlie Spiller. Add the Southern Jaguars. Stir.

The result is a perfect recipe for big-play success.

Spiller caught his first touchdown of the season when he outjumped Southern’s Glenn Bell and trotted the final 30 yards into the end zone for a 68-yard touchdown in the second quarter of Saturday’s 38-16 victory over the Jaguars, and he added a 57-yard TD reception in the third quarter.

The Southern Comfort enjoyed by Spiller helped Alcorn State extend its winning streak to three in a row with the win at A.W. Munford Stadium, as Spiller caught two TDs for the third straight season against Southern.

“My folks went here, and every time I play Southern, I have to show out,” Spiller said. “Every time I play them, my goal is to get two touchdowns, and I’ve been able to do that three years in a row.” Alcorn took advantage of two Southern fumbles by turning both into touchdowns in a span of 13 seconds in the second quarter, and Spiller’s first touchdown gave the Braves (4-3 overall, 3-2 in SWAC) a 24-10 halftime lead.

Southern never recovered, as the Alcorn defense constantly harassed Southern quarterback J.C. Lewis times and prevented the Jaguars from hitting big plays. The Jaguars also managed only 65 rushing yards on 28 carries.

The victory puts Alcorn over .500 for the first time this season and also vaults the Braves back into the conference title conversation. Not bad, considering this team was 1-3 and going nowhere a month ago.

“We’re very happy to get out of here with a win,” Alcorn coach Johnny Thomas said. “It feels pretty good to beat Southern here.” Alcorn quarterback Tony Hobson continued his rapid development, as he passed for a career-high 311 yards and threw three touchdowns for the first time his career. He ran for a touchdown in the first half, and he hooked up with Tabari Lott for 8-yard TD pass with 6:26 remaining.

The touchdown pass to Lott also pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

Jeremy McCoy continued to anchor the Alcorn running game, as he rolled up 118 yards on 18 carries and scored on a 17-yard touchdown run.

“This was very big for us going into the open week,” McCoy said. “It’s a big confidence boost. … “Coach told us to just keep getting better every week,” McCoy said. “That’s what he kept telling us. We’ve been getting better every week, too.” Alcorn also spoiled Senior Day festivities for Southern (2-4, 2-3), beating the Jaguars for the third time in the last four seasons.

Alcorn got off to a fast start, as Hobson completed consecutive passes of 26 yards to Marese Rose and 25 yards to Emmanuel Arceneaux to move the ball deep into Southern territory on the game’s opening drive.

Jeremy Shea capped the eight-play, 67-yard drive with a 30-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead with 12:10 to play in the first quarter.

Southern answered with Breck Ackley’s 41-yard field goal with 56.2 seconds to go in the first quarter.

Ackley’s kick ended a seven-play, 29-yard drive.

Alcorn regained the momentum by forcing back-to-back turnovers.

First, Quentin Phillips knocked the ball away from Southern’s Steel Adams, and Joe Keys fell on the ball at the Southern 46.

On the next play, Hobson hooked up with tight end Tabari Lott, who absorbed a big hit from Southern’s Joemaine Spears and rumbled 43 yards to the Jaguars’ 3.

Hobson scored three plays later, shedding the tackle of LaDerrick Brazil for the 3-yard touchdown run and a 10-3 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Alcorn’s Carl Harris knocked the ball loose when he hit kick returner Albert Turner. Davaris Pilcher fell on the ball at the Southern 17, and Jeremy McCoy raced around left end for the touchdown on the next play.

Shea’s extra point made it 17-3 with 12:21 to go in the first half.

Southern replied with its first touchdown drive of the day, moving 49 yards in nine plays. Adams scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

Spiller’s 68-yard touchdown catch with 3:35 to play before halftime gave Alcorn a 24-10 lead., and he put the game out of reach when he ran under Hobson’s 57-yard bomb with 1:14 to go in the third quarter.

Alcorn now has its only off week of the season, taking a break before entertaining Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 5 at Jack Spinks Stadium.

“There’s not a better feeling for a coach or a player when you go into an open week on a win streak,” Thomas said. “I promise you that. It’s lot better than a losing streak.