Alcorn State officials refuted a report Wednesday by an on campus television station that quarterback Brandon Bridge has been cut by head coach Melvin Spears and he was leaving campus.
However, the representatives from student run campus television station say they are sticking by their story that the sophomore quarterback is no longer part of the Braves roster.
What’s even more puzzling is Bridge, on his Twitter account, said he wasn’t a Brave.
No longer apart of the alcorn state braves. #LOOKINGFORANEWHOME
Earlier in the day an Alcorn State athletics spokesperson called the report “not valid” and maintained that Bridge was still part of the team.
Spears has not made any comments on the matter, school officials said.
To say it has been a tough season for Bridge would be an understatement. After throwing for 2,086 yards, 19 passing touchdowns and eight rushing scores, his production has dropped in all areas.
So far in 2011, Bridge’s quarterback rating has dropped from 78.1 to 70.6. Not only that, but he’s only throwing for 126 yards per game and rushing for only 11.6 yards per game, down from the 40.6 yards he averaged in 2010. Bridge has thrown five touchdowns, four interceptions and 632 yards this season.
Bridge has been playing sparingly the last few weeks, which could explain his possible removal from the Alcorn State roster.
Bridge didn’t play a single down in the Braves 56-16 win over Concordia (Ala.) last week.
On Oct. 1 against Alabama State, Bridge failed to throw a pass, but rushed four times for a meager two yards. Backup quarterback Darius Smith saw significant playing time that day, completing 9-of-21 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Following that game, Spears justified the decision to give Smith an extended look by intimating Smith was more of a consistent performer.
“Sometimes you have to balance things when things aren’t going the way you think they should be going,” Spears said during the weekly SWAC coaches’ teleconference.” We are looking for consistency across the board. We felt like (Smith) was the best guy at the time.”
“Darius has a really good arm, he’s a little bit more poised, not looking to run so fast,” the coach said.
Smith, who has played in six games, has thrown seven touchdowns, five interceptions and 535 yards.
