Lorman, Miss.-Senior Arnold Walker scored a single game career-high, three rushing touchdowns, as the Alcorn State thumped Edward Waters 63-12 in Saturday’s season opener at Spinks-Casem stadium.
It was all about the run game in the Braves victory totaling 280 yards and 6 total touchdowns. Led by Walker’s 75 yards and three scores, the Braves were able to pound the ball the entire game.
The Braves scored first on the only passing touchdown of the game when sophomore, John Gibbs, Jr. connected with senior wide receiver Tavoris Doss for a 28-yard touchdown giving the Braves a 7-0 lead.
But Edward Waters drove right back down the field on the Braves and kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.
The very next possession, Gibbs hit Zerick Rollins, Jr. on a 30-yard pass to put the Braves in scoring position. A few plays later Walker marched in for his first touchdown of the day extending Braves lead to 14-3.
A little over a minute later, Carrington Aloese recovered a fumble forced by Deion Roberson inside the Tigers 30 yard line giving the Braves a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Walker walked into the end zone for the second time in the game to give the Braves a 21-3 with 2:54 to play before the end of the first quarter. The Tigers came away with a 27-yard field goal before the first quarter ended making the score 21-6.
Gibbs found senior Felando Warr for an 18-yard pass across the middle of the field en route to Gibbs scoring on a 34-yard scamper increasing the Braves lead to 28-6.
Within the next 45 seconds the Braves were right back on offense after sophomore free safety intercepted a pass with 10:19 to play in the second quarter. Sophomore LaDarrien Davis snagged a 19-yard pass thrown by Gibbs to put the Braves in good position to put more points on the board. Anthony Williams III breezed through traffic to find himself in the end zone to boost the Braves lead to 35-6.
It was all about the defense from there for the Braves. Linebacker Jestin Williams intercepted a pass in traffic and took the ball down inside the Tigers territory. Walker once again would find his way to the end zone two plays later to make the score 42-6.
The defense wasn’t done just yet. Junior Kenry Tolbert picked up a fumble and scored with .40 seconds to go into the half with a 40-point lead, 49-6.
Edward Waters struck first in the second half on a 31-yard field goal by Jerry Martin but Braves continued to hammer the ball when Anthony Williams III scored on a 17-yard run giving the Braves a 56-9.
Freshman quarterback Khadarel Hodge got into the action finding his way to his first career touchdown on three plays with 9:39 to play in the game.
The Braves defense forced 4 turnovers (2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) against the Tigers. John Gibbs completed 75 percent of his passes going 15-20 for 184 yards and one touchdown. Freshman kicker Haiden McCraney set a freshman record for most made PATs in a game posting a perfect eight for eight.
Next up for the Braves is a trip to Starkville, Miss. to face the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
Courtesy: Alcorn State Sports Information
