SWAC Championship
Who: Alcorn State vs. Grambling State
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: ESPNU
Time: 3 p.m.
Last meeting: Grambling State, 43-18 on Sept. 24 2016.
ALCORN STATE BRAVES
Season record: 5-5
Best win: After clinching the SWAC Eastern Division title for the third straight season with a 61-7 win over Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 12, the Braves rushed for 293 yards on the strength of 129 on the ground by running back De Lance Turner in a 35-16 win over Jackson State on Nov. 19 to finish the season 5-5.
Worst loss: Alcorn State blew a 16-point lead and eventually lost 45-43 in overtime to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 15.
Key players
Running back : DeLance Turner. He has rushed for 618 yards and 4 touchdowns on 118 carries this season.
Quarterback Noah Johnson: In nine games this season, the freshman has thrown for 1,116 yards and accounted for 21 total touchdowns.
Linebacker Darien Anderson: The junior leads the Braves defense with 80 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 12 sacks this season.
Stat to note: Alcorn State kickers are a SWAC worst 3-of-8 on field goals this season.
GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS
Season record: 9-1
Best win: Quarterback DeVante Kincade threw for 283 yards with one passing touchdown to go along with one rushing touchdown in the Tigers’ 52-30 win over Southern in the annual Bayou Classic.
Worst loss: The Tigers jumped out to a 21-3 lead over FBS Arizona before the Wildcats scored the next 28 points to win 31-21 on Sept. 10.
Key players
Running back Martez Carter: Carter had a breakout game in the Bayou Classic rushing for 118 yards and two TDs against Southern last Saturday.
Quarterback DeVante Kincade: The Ole Miss transfer was recently named MVP of the Bayou Classic. For the season, Kincade has thrown for 2,633 yards and a league-high 28 TDs.
Wide receiver Chad Williams: The lanky receiver is tops among all Grambling receivers with 80 catches, 1,191 and 10 touchdowns.
Stat to note: The Grambling defense has allowed a conference low seven rushing touchdowns on 343 attempts.
The Pick:
Grambling State 45, Alcorn State 27
