Alcorn State University defeated SWAC conference rival Mississippi Valley State University 27-9 in the 13th annual Chicago Football Classic played this past Saturday at Soldier Field.
Alcorn State University defeated SWAC conference rival Mississippi Valley State University 27-9 in the 13th annual Chicago Football Classic played this past Saturday at Soldier Field. Alcorn State led throughout the contest and got the scoring going in the first quarter when wide receiver Edward Johnson returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown at the 8:47 mark. It was the first punt the senior receiver had ever returned in a game for the Braves, but he wasn’t surprised that he was able to take it to the house. “This was my first time returning punts today,” said Johnson, who scored two TD’s and was named the game’s offensive MVP. “I didn’t expect to score a touchdown but I made it happen.” Less than two minutes later it would be the special teams unit that got the Braves on the scoreboard again when they blocked a Delta Devil punt that Jacque Caldwell scooped up in the end zone for the Braves’ second TD, putting them up 14-0. Two scores by special teams would please any football coach, but Alcorn State head coach Earnest Collins Jr., expects steady production from his special teams unit. “People say that special teams are a third of the game – but they really don’t put that much effort into it. We do every day, and we’re going to commit to special teams because it is a very big part of the game,” Collins said. After the two scores by the special teams the Braves’ offensive attack sputtered against the Delta Devil defense, and Collins replaced starting senior quarterback Terrance Barnes with freshman Brandon Bridge. Bridge is a mobile QB and his elusiveness and running ability helped give Alcorn State the lift they were looking for against the Delta Devils. They still weren’t running like a well-oiled machine, but Bridge added another dimension to the offense with his scrambling and running out of the pocket. “I feel I can make plays both passing and running,” said Bridge (10 of 17 passing, 127 yards, 1 TD, eight rushes for 67 yards). “But lately I’ve been making more plays with my feet. I’d say I’m a mobile quarterback.” Bridge only played on three possessions in Alcorn State’s first game of the season against Langston (a 50-27 win), but his coaches and teammates were confident he would play well when called upon. “When Brandon Bridge came in he gave us a spark and we started moving the ball effectively,” said wide receiver Johnson. “We see him perform effectively in practice every day, so we know when he’s in there he can get the job done.” And it would be Bridge connecting with Johnson for a 33-yard completion, then for a one-yard touchdown pass to get the Braves’ offense going late in the second quarter to make it 21-0 at halftime. Mississippi Valley didn’t get on the scoreboard until late in the third quarter, with Carlos Sanchez hitting a 23-yard field goal to make it 21-3. But Alcorn State responded with a touchdown on a short run by senior running back Gabriel Nash (20 rushes for 81 yards 1 TD), putting the Braves up a commanding 27-3 after the PAT failed. Mississippi Valley finally got into the end zone at 13:46 in the fourth quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Chris Watkins, but they missed the PAT, and that would end the scoring for the contest. The loss dropped the Delta Devils to 0-3, while the win improved Alcorn State’s record to 2-0. The season is young, but coach Collins was happy to get the win. “It always feels good to get a victory no matter what day it is.” Collins said. “It was the first conference game and it felt good to get the victory. It’s a great feeling to be 2-0.” The final margin of victory 27-9 would make it appear that Alcorn State lambasted Mississippi Valley, but there was very little difference between both teams’ production. They were nearly equal in terms of time of possession, first downs, and passing yards. The difference was in special teams play, which heavily favored the Braves who scored twice. “We expect our special teams to make one big play to put our offense in scoring position, or for them to score themselves,” Bridge said. Offensive MVP – Edward Johnson Defensive MVP – Malcolm Taylor Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender (Defender/Worsom Robinson)
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