LORMAN — Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas is cutting the 2007 season in half.

Gone is the first five games, all losses, in which the Braves were outscored 119-45.

Thomas is focusing on last week’s 22-20 win over Texas Southern as Alcorn gets ready to head to Baton Rouge to play Southern.

The Braves (1-5, 1-4 SWAC) needed a last-second field goal miss by the Tigers to escape Houston with their first win of the season and hope to stay undefeated in their second season Saturday.

“Before the (Texas Southern) game, I told the players to forget about the first half of the season and start a new season at 0-0,” Thomas said. “Right now we’re 1-0 in the new season and need to keep it going.”

Thomas said the win has done wonders for the attitude of the football team.

“If we win one game, there is a likelihood we can win another,” Thomas said. “We won in dramatic fashion, which sometimes is the only way to get your first win. We had to get that first win. The guys are excited.”

While the Braves have finally broken into the win column, they will have to play even better if they are to knock off an angry Southern team in Baton Rouge.

The Jaguars (5-2, 3-2 SWAC) are coming off two consecutive home losses, falling to Alabama A&M (33-28) and Jackson State (32-26). Thomas knows the Jags will be coming out anxious to pick up a home victory.

“It is very hard to win down there, especially now,” Thomas said. “Southern has lost two in a row and are in desperate need of a win.”

One of the big questions for Alcorn all year has been who will play at quarterback.

Tony Hobson and Tim Buckley split time at quarterback last week, with Hobson throwing two touchdown passes, but senior Chris Walker will get the start this week.

Walker has been dealing with a high ankle sprain for the last few weeks, but Thomas said he has recovered nicely.

“He has had a good week of practice,” Thomas said. “He’s moving and throwing the ball well. Tony is also throwing the ball better but we’ve determined that Chris needs to be starting.”