Alcorn State Faces Southern Miss on the Road in Season Opener
Hattiesburg, Miss. — The Alcorn State football team is set to face Southern Mississippi on Saturday, September 5, at 4 p.m. at Jack Spinks – Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Renasant Stadium. The Braves are coming off a 56-7 win over Miles College last week, with quarterback Jalern Tolbert throwing for 265 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for another score, according to team sources.
Alcorn, which holds a 1-0 record overall and is seeking its second consecutive win to start the season for the first time since 2010, will look to improve its series record against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles hold a 4-0 advantage in the series, with the most recent meeting a 40-14 victory for Southern Miss on September 2, 2023.
The game will be broadcast on WPRL 91.7 FM with Charles Edmond calling the play-by-play, and streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can follow updates on Twitter at @AlcornStateFB and @BravesSports, and on Facebook and Instagram at /AlcornStateSports and @AlcornSports.
Alcorn coach Cedric Thomas, now in his third year, aims for his 13th career win with the team. The team faces high expectations, with several players earning 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, and Rogers contributed to an offense that averaged 24.25 points per game last season.
Defensive back Tayvion Haney is on the Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, and punter Demetrion Duvall is on the 2026 Preseason Punter of the Year Watch List. Duvall ended 2025 as SWAC’s second-leading punter, averaging 42.7 yards per kick. Both Thomas Jr. and Duvall are preseason all-America selections on the BOXTOROW HBCU team.
Alcorn was predicted to finish third in the SWAC West Division, according to league coaches and sports information directors. Rogers and Thomas earned preseason first-team honors, and Duvall was named to the first-team for special teams. Several players received second-team preseason honors, including offensive lineman Abe Diallo and defenders Kenneth Andrews and Tayvion Haney.
In terms of history, Alcorn and Southern Miss have met four times, with the Golden Eagles dominating the series 4-0. The teams last played in 2023, with Southern Miss winning 40-14.
The game will be available on the Braves Radio Network and ESPN+. Weather conditions are expected to be warm, with a high of 90 and minimal wind. There is a 15% chance of rain. A victory would mark Coach Cedric Thomas’s 13th career win and end a four-game losing streak against the Golden Eagles.
Next, Alcorn will travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to participate in the 37th Southern Heritage Classic against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6 p.m. on September 12. Fans are encouraged to follow team updates on social media for the latest news.
Source: Original Article
