University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s John Hawkins hauled in a 2-point conversion pass from quarterback Brandon Duncan to beat Alcorn State in triple overtime Thursday, 45-43.
Alcorn State scored on its possession in the overtime period, but quarterback Noah Johnson was stopped short of the end zone attempting the 2-point try, allowing UAPB a chance to win with a score and a successful conversion.
Alcorn State (1-1, 1-0) scored 28-unanswered points bridged between the second and third quarters against UAPB (1-2, 1-1), only to see its lead evaporate in the final five minutes of the game.
ASU starting quarterback Lenorris Footman did not suit up Thursday because of an ankle injury he suffered during last week’s game against Alabama State. Alcorn was also missing starting running back Marquis Warford.
“You don’t blame a game on players being out,” Alcorn State coach Fred McNair said. “We don’t want to put guys in jeopardy of reinjuring, and I thought this was a good opportunity to give them some rest.”
Leading 16-14 at the half, the Braves wasted no time in the third period, scoring on the second play from scrimmage on a Jaborian McKenzie 52-yard touchdown toss, who burned down the field to give the Braves a 23-14 lead.
UAPB put pressure on the Braves when quarterback Brandon Duncan connected with John Hawkins for a touchdown and completed a successful 2-point conversion to trim the deficit to 30-20 with 5:55 left in the game.
Without a timeout, UAPB mustered a game-tying drive on seven plays for 64 yards, and capped it off with a successful 2-point conversion pass to Cody Swain.
Alcorn State took the first offensive possession in overtime, and quarterback Johnson fumbled on the second play and turned the ball over to the Golden Lions. It was Alcorn State’s sixth fumble of the game.
“Anytime you have turnovers you can point to that as missed execution,” McNair said. “We’ve been putting the ball on the ground too much.”
The Braves were granted a chance at redemption when Daniel Franklin forced Golden Lions running back Dante McDonald to fumble, and Alcorn’s LaShaun Ealey pounced on the loose ball.
UAPB running back Terry Montgomery gave UAPB the lead on the ensuing drive to put pressure on the Braves once again.
But Alcorn responded once again. A pass interference penalty set Alcorn up in prime scoring position, and Johnson scampered into the end zone from 2 yards out tie the game.
In Johnson’s first career start, the redshirt freshman was 30-for-41 passing for 355 yards.
“It’s experience,” Johnson said. “You can learn from the crowd … but really I’m just ready to be there when my number is called.”

UAPB then responded after Willie Young hauled in a 25-yard dart from Duncan over the middle for the tying score.
Duncan completed 29-of-52 passes for 505 yards passing.
ASU’s De’Lance Turner tallied 90 yards rushing on 18 carries, and Arron Baker racked up 45 yards on eight carries.
McKenzie had 119 yards receiving for Alcorn, while Young tallied 232 yards on 13 receptions for UAPB.
Three different Alcorn State defensive backs were credited with pass breakups in the game, but the Braves saw several of Duncan’s passes bounce in and out of their hands. Defensive back D’Andre Smith broke up two passes for the Braves, and said Duncan exploited mental mistakes in the Alcorn State secondary.
“We just aren’t executing when we attack the ball,” Smith said.
ASU had 537 yards offensively, while UAPB piled up 559.
Alcorn travels to conference rival Grambling State next Saturday.