LORMAN — After three consecutive losses, the Alcorn State Braves are hungry to get a win.

And getting that win on national television would be even sweeter.

The Braves will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night in a game that will be televised on ESPNU.

This will be the second year in a row Alcorn State’s game against Pine Bluff will be televised on a Thursday night.

However, last year’s game was canceled due to a severe lightning storm that stopped the game at halftime.

Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins said his players are looking forward to the national exposure.

“They are very excited,” Collins said. “When you’re not on television on a regular basis, and then once or twice, you step up to the challenge.”

After starting out the season 3-0, the Braves have stumbled to three straight losses, including SWAC losses to Texas Southern and Grambling State.

Collins knows his team can’t afford to drop a third consecutive conference game if they want to compete for the SWAC East title.

“The guys understand that this is a game that we have to go out and get,” Collins said. “We have to get off this losing skein and turn our situation back around.”

After giving up 38 points to Grambling, Collins knows his defense will have to step up to top Pine Bluff’s high-powered offense, which includes wide receiver Raymond Webber, who is averaging 119 yards per game receiving, and quarterback John Boudreaux, who is second in the SWAC in pass efficiency.

“We have to find a way to slow (them) down,” Collins said. “Their quarterback is good, big and accurate.”

Alcorn State will try to counter Pine Bluff’s offense with their own, led by true freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge.

Bridge is averaging almost 200 yards per game passing and threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns in last Saturday’s loss to Grambling.

Tight end Ryan Singleton also enjoyed a career day against the Tigers, as he caught 10 passes for 120 yards and touchdowns.

While it looks as if tonight’s clash might be a high-scoring game, Collins is hoping that is only half correct.

“If I had my druthers, I’d like a high scoring game on our end and a low scoring one on theirs,” Collins said.