Junior college transfer Darryan Ragsdale set a career-high 173 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns to lead Alcorn State to a 33-7 win over SWAC East foe Alabama State at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
Sophomore kicker Haiden McCraney put the Braves ahead early 3-0 by nailing a 47-yard field.
After stopping the Hornets on their next drive, Ragsdale raced to the end zone from 40 yards out to give the Braves a 10-0 cushion lead.
Just before the end of the first quarter, the Braves struck again with a one-yard run by redshirt freshman running back Arron Baker to increase the lead to 17-0.
The Braves defense shut the Hornets offense down in the first half by keeping them out of the end zone.
After the half, the Braves continued to add on to their lead when McCraney made his second field goal of the night from 31 yards out to push the lead to 20-0. Alabama State finally got on the board on a one-yard run by Malcolm Cyrus making the score 20-7.
On the ensuing drive quarterback, John Gibbs, Jr. manuevered his way through the defense and blazed to the end zone for a 53-yard touchdown. The Braves were ahead 26-7 after Gibbs’ score.
Ragsdale finished up the Hornets on a 31-yard rushing touchdown with 4:05 to go in the game.
The Braves offense recorded 608 yards of total offense in the win despite tunring the ball over three times during the game. Gibbs completed 20-of-33 passes for 217 yards and also rushed for 106 yards on 13 carries and scored one touchdown.
Junior defensive back Warren Gatewood sparked the defense with five pass break-ups, two tackles and one tackle for a loss.
Next weekend the Braves hit the road to Louisiana to face Grambling State. Kickoff is slated for Saturday, October 11th at 2:00 p.m.at Eddie Robinson Stadium.
Courtesy: Alcorn State Athletics
