North Alabama Tops Alcorn State 38-20 in Inaugural Game at New Stadium

North Alabama scored 14 points in the first quarter and pulled away in the second half to beat Alcorn State 38-20 Saturday night at Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.

The game was the first between the programs and the inaugural football contest at North Alabama’s new on-campus stadium. The Lions improved to 2-2, while the Braves also moved to 2-2 overall, according to sources.

North Alabama took an early lead, with quarterback Destin Wade throwing two first-quarter touchdown passes — one to Seth Reed for 31 yards and another to KJ Fields for 19 yards. Wade added a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Xavier Johnson also broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, giving the Lions a 21-7 lead.

Alcorn State responded in the second quarter behind its ground game. Fredrick Robertson scored on a 22-yard run, and Jaylon Tolbert connected with Tyree Kelly for an 18-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 21-14 at halftime.

The Braves continued to chip away after halftime, with Kenyon Bowyer converting field goals from 25 and 32 yards to make it a 31-20 game. North Alabama sealed the victory with Wade’s 13-yard touchdown run in the final minutes, finalizing the score at 38-20.

Alcorn’s Tolbert and Kelly each scored their fourth touchdown of the season. Robertson’s 22-yard run was the Braves’ biggest play on the ground. Bowyer was perfect on field goals, connecting from 25 and 32 yards. The Lions’ quarterback Wade accounted for four touchdowns — three passing and one rushing — and led the team to a decisive late-game drive.

The game marked the first meeting between the two programs and the first contest at North Alabama’s new stadium. Alcorn State will return home next week to face Texas Southern in its second Southwestern Athletic Conference game.

Source: Original Article