Memphis — Alcorn State heads to the 37th annual Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Memphis. The game marks the Braves’ Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener.
The Braves are coming off a 49-3 loss to Southern Miss last weekend in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They previously faced Arkansas-Pine Bluff last season in Memphis, losing 24-20 after a late touchdown by the Golden Lions. Alcorn looks to even the series this weekend.
The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. It will be broadcast on WPRL 91.7 FM and streamed on HBCU GO. Fans can follow updates on Twitter at @AlcornStateFB and @BravesSports, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
Alcorn State currently holds a 1-1 overall record and is 0-0 in conference play. Arkansas-Pine Bluff also stands at 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the SWAC.
Several players have received preseason honors. Cameran Rogers and Eric Thomas Jr. are on the 2026 Deacon Jones Player of the Year Watch List. Thomas finished the 2025 season with 26 tackles in 12 games, while Rogers contributed to an offense that averaged 24.25 points per game in 2025. Defensive back Tayvion Haney was named to the Aeneas Williams Award preseason watch list.
Additionally, Demetrion Duvall, who served as the Braves punter last season, is on the preseason Punter of the Year Watch List. Duvall kicked 49 times for 2,093 yards in 2025, averaging 42.7 yards per punt. Both Thomas Jr. and Duvall also made the BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-America Team.
Alcorn was predicted to finish third in the SWAC West Division in the 2026 preseason poll. Rogers earned a spot on the preseason All-SWAC First Team Offense, while Thomas Jr. and Duvall made the First Team Defense and Special Teams, respectively. Six players received preseason honors in total.
Alcorn leads the all-time series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4-1 over the last five meetings, averaging 31.8 points and allowing 20.0 points per game. This Saturday’s game will be the second time the teams meet in the Southern Heritage Classic.
The game will be called by Charles Edmond and Cedric Tillman on the Braves Radio Network and streamed live on HBCU GO. Head Coach Cedric Thomas, now in his third season, seeks his 13th career win and first at the Southern Heritage Classic. He has a 12-14 overall record with Alcorn and is an Arkansas-Pine Bluff graduate.
The forecast for Saturday’s game shows a high of 88 degrees, with winds at 5 mph and no rain expected. A victory would give Thomas his 13th career win, a 1-0 conference record, and mark Alcorn’s first win at the Southern Heritage Classic.
Next, Alcorn will travel to Florence, Alabama, to face North Alabama on September 19 at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to follow Alcorn State Sports on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
