SWAC: 2015 Alcorn State Braves Football Preview

Courtesy SWAC.org Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo 2015 Football Preview: Alcorn State Courtesy Marq Mitcham Fri, July 31, 2015 Fresh off its first Southwestern Athletic Conference title since 1993, the Alcorn State Braves have a tough act to follow. With several key components in place from last year's 10-3 (7-2 SWAC) team which defeated Southern 38-24 in the conference championship game, fourth-year head coach Jay Hopson's Braves are expected to be in the thick of the race once again. Senior quarterback John Gibbs Jr., the 2014 SWAC co-Offensive Player of the Year, is back to direct an offense which ranked second nationally among FCS teams in scoring (44 points per game), fifth in rushing (285.2 yards per game), eighth in total offense (493.1 ypg) and 19th in third down conversions (.447). Gibbs threw for 2,842 yards and 21 scores with only seven interceptions in 324 passing attempts. Also a threat with his feet, he averaged 7.5 yards per carry while rushing for 1,006 yards and 11 scores. Among the running backs, sophomore Arron Baker (113 carries, 725 yards, 13 touchdowns) and senior Darryan Ragsdale (87-691-7 TDs) head a crowded backfield. Senior Joe Price, who missed the entire 2014 season with an injury, and juniorDe'Lance Turner are also pushing for playing time. With Gibbs utilizing his entire receiving corps during the championship season, the Braves return eight receivers with 14 or more catches. Junior tight end Jordan Payne (25 receptions, 463 yards, 5 TDs) averaged 18.5 yards per catch en route to earning first-team All-SWAC accolades. Among the holdover wide receivers are sophomore Chalres Hughes (25-413-2) and junior Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie (19-196-2). First-team All-SWAC performer Isaac Sampson (6-5, 367, jr.) is back to anchor an offensive line which allowed only seven sacks last season. On the defensive side, the Braves must replenish a unit which lost four of its top five tacklers after ranking No. 8 nationally in scoring defense (19.5 ppg) and rushing defense (108.7 ypg) and tied for eighth with 18 interceptions. Senior linebacker Damon Watkins ranked second on the team in tackles with 79 while accounting for 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of interceptions. First-team All-SWAC honoree senior Darien Moody (34 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks) gives the Braves a dominant force up front. The secondary should again be an asset with seniors Quinton Cantue (50 tackles, 1 interception), Anthony Williams III (48 tackles, 3 INTs) and first-team All-SWAC Warren Gatewood (34 tackles, 3 INTs, SWAC-best 16 pass breakups) in the mix. Williams led the conference in punt returns with 26 for a 16.6-yard average, including an 82-yard touchdown. Haiden McCraneywill handle all of the kicking after converting 8-of-12 field goals and averaging 43.8 yards on 43 punts as a freshman. ALCORN SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT TIME Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech 7:30 p.m. cst Sept. 12 at Alabama State* 4:00 p.m. cst Sept. 19 Mississippi Valley* 2:00 p.m. cst Sept. 26 Concordia College 2:00 p.m. cst Oct. 3 UAPB* (at Little Rock) 4:00 p.m. cst Oct. 17 Grambling State* (HC) 2:00 p.m. cst Oct. 31 at Southern* 4 p.m. cst Nov. 7 Prairie View A&M* 2:00 p.m. cst Nov. 14 at Texas Southern* TBA Nov. 21 Alabama A&M* 2:00 p.m. cst Nov. 28 at Jackson State* 2:00 p.m. cst Bold: Home Games *Conference Game