Alcorn's rout of UAPB leaves Coleman bewildered

Alcorn State’s Anthony Williams Jr. looks for an opening as UAPB’s Sidney Austin closes in during Saturday’s game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Braves jumped out to a 35-7 lead and cruised to their fourth consecutive victory.
Alcorn State’s Anthony Williams Jr. looks for an opening as UAPB’s Sidney Austin closes in during Saturday’s game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Braves jumped out to a 35-7 lead and cruised to their fourth consecutive victory.

UAPB's performance in Saturday's 61-14 loss to Alcorn State didn't look any better on the sideline than it did to the Golden Lions boosters in the announced crowd of 13,355 at War Memorial Stadium.

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Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs Jr. pushes through the UAPB defense during Saturday’s game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Gibbs ran for 3 touchdowns and passed for 2 as the Braves beat the Golden Lions 61-14.

"We didn't play well in any phase of the game, not on defense, or offense, or special teams," UAPB Coach Monte Coleman said. "I'd hope I can have an opportunity to look at the films before I point any fingers, but I can't really blame anyone in particular, and I never would. We just played poorly as a team."

Alcorn State (4-1, 3-0 SWAC) dominated every facet, outgaining UAPB 543-249 in total offense, including a 418-165 edge on the ground.

Senior running back Joe Price carried 7 times for 141 yards and 1 touchdown, senior running back Darryan Ragsdale rushed 10 times for 132 yards and 1 touchdown, and senior quarterback Joes Gibbs ran for 3 touchdowns and passed for 2 as the Braves scored on 3, 1-play drives and never looked back.

UAPB had 249 yards but failed to score on three first-half possessions inside the Alcorn State 20.

"We have to learn to complete drives," UAPB sophomore quarterback Marcus Terrell said.

Junior Marquis Worford returned the game-opening kickoff 95 yards to the UAPB 1. Gibbs' sneak gave Alcorn State a 7-0 with 14:43 left in the first quarter.

UAPB (1-3, 0-2) tied the score with its first possession on Terrell's 10-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Kyle Coleman, but Alcorn State countered on its next play from scrimmage.

A UAPB kickoff out of bounds gave Alcorn State possession at its 35, and Ragsdale broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run.

"We scored to match them, and then on their very next play, the guys goes whatever, 65 yards," Coleman said. "That's frustrating for everyone."

"As a coach, you always hope for big plays," Alcorn State Coach Jay Hopson said. "We were happy to get a few tonight."

Alcorn State's first extended drive came after a three-and-out possession for UAPB.

Alcorn State covered 62 yards on nine plays, the last 4-yard touchdown keeper by Gibbs.

The Braves returned to one-play scoring with senior Joe Price's 50-yard touchdown run, and Alcorn State's lead was 28-7 with 5:43 left in the first quarter.

Senior receiver Jarvis Turner's second-quarter 30-yard touchdown catch from Gibbs gave Alcorn State a 35-7 lead at halftime.

"I have all the respect in the world for Coach Coleman and Coach [Anthony] Jones and the job they've done," Hopson said. "They're great coaches, but their team is young, and we have a lot of seniors."

Jones is UAPB's offensive coordinator.

An interception of Terrell by junior defensive back Eric Foster stopped UAPB's opening drive of the second half and led to Gibbs' third touchdown, a 3-yard keeper early in the third quarter.

"I really can't name one particular player that impressed me," Terrell said. "They have a lot of very good defensive players."

Alcorn State's lead was at 48-7 after Gibbs hit senior wide receiver Jordan Payne with an 11-yard pass to the end zone with 7:30 left in the third quarter.

"Gibbs played very well for us," Hopson said.

UAPB responded with a 27-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Dante McDonald to cut Alcorn States lead to 48-14.

McDonald carried 8 times for 53 yards to compile his first offensive statistics of the season. Terrell completed 8 of 15 passes for 74 yards.

Sports on 10/04/2015

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