1 of 8

Alcorn State Braves' defensive linemen Jacorian Wren celebrates after the Braves' defense made a stop in the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game against Southern University Jaguars. The Braves won 39-24 over the Jaguars. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

Corey McCullough kicks a 23-yard field goal for the Alcorn State Braves during the fourth quarter against the Southern University Jaguars in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game on Saturday. McCullough was 50% on field goals in the game. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

Juwan Taylor celebrates after obtaining an interception for the Alcorn State Braves during the 2019 Cricket Wireless Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game against Southern University Jaguars. Taylor was named the Defensive SWAC MVP of the game. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

Southern University Jaguars defensive linemen Robert Square III attempts to bring down Alcorn States Braves quarterback Felix Harper during the fourth quarter of the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game on Saturday. Harper completed 12 passes in the game. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

Southern University Jaguars quarterback Ladarius Skelton runs with the ball while Alcorn State Braves' defensive back Qwynnterrio Cole attempts to bring Skelton down during the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game on Saturday. Cole obtained four solo tackles in the game. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

Alcorn State Braves quarterback Felix Harper surveys the field and tries to throw to an open receiver during the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game against the Southern University Jaguars on Saturday. The Braves won 39-24 and won its 17th SWAC championship in program history. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Alcorn State Braves' Joseph Milburn talks to Franklin Smith, right, after the defense came off the field. The Braves defeated the Southern University Jaguars 39-24 to earn the Braves' 17th Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in program history. (Patrick Murphy, The Natchez Democrat)

LeCharles Pringle runs with the ball for the Alcorn State Braves in the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game against Southern University Jaguars. Pringle was named the SWAC Offensive MVP of the game. (File Photo, The Natchez Democrat)

LORMAN — The Alcorn State Braves won their rematch against the Southern University Jaguars Saturday evening to win back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships.

Alcorn won 39-24.

The win secured Alcorn’s second straight trip and third overall to meet the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in the Celebration Bowl. The opponent on Dec. 21 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is two-time defending Celebration Bowl champion North Carolina A&T.

The Braves defense in the second half propelled Alcorn to victory. With 3:40 left in the game, it looked like Southern’s chance of scoring another touchdown to take the lead was in the bag. Jarod Sims ran up the left side of the defense but Qwynnterrio Cole stopped Sims in his tracks and forced the Jaguars’ to turn the ball over on downs. Braves Head Coach Fred McNair said it was a huge momentum shift for the Braves.

“I thought Qwynnterrio did a great job coming in and filling it in to make that stop,” McNair said. “Great call by Coach [Cedric] Thornton, the guys that were in position to make the play, made the play.”
The Braves answered with a six-yard touchdown run by De’Shawn Waller, giving the Braves a 32-24 lead.

Then on the Jaguars’ next possession, Southern University’s Ladarius Skelton threw his third interception of the game to the Braves Taurence Wilson. Wilson ran for a 53-yard interception for a touchdown, sealing Alcorn State’s ticket to the Celebration Bowl. McNair said one of the keys for the championship game was stopping Skelton.

“We did a great job of containing him with his legs and made him throw some balls,” McNair said. “He threw some up to us so that was a key to it.”

The game began with four combined turnovers in the first half. On the bright side for both teams, Jaguars’ Jarod Sims ran for a 32-yard touchdown run. Then with 1:56 in the first quarter, Braves’ Javen Morrison returned a kickoff for an 89-yard touchdown. At the end of the first half, the Braves led 16-14 over the Jaguars.

The second half was a different story. Both teams scored 33 points in the second half while in the first half the teams combined for 30 points.

Cesar Barajas kicked a 41-yard field goal for Southern University. Then, the Braves answered back in the fourth quarter with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Felix Harper to LeCharles Pringle to retake the lead at 22-17.  Then, Skelton ran for an 8-yard touchdown for the Jaguars fourth lead of the game. But then it was all Braves and they cruised to winning their 17th conference championship in program history.

Pringle was named the SWAC Championship Offensive Most Valuable Player. His receiving total for the game was a career-high at 145 yards. Pringle said the touchdown pass was all coaching and McNair made the right play at the right time.

Juwan Taylor was named the SWAC Defensive MVP. Taylor tied his career-high of 11 tackles and picked up an interception and a forced fumble. On Saturday, Taylor played in his first SWAC championship game. He said he feels blessed moving onto his first bowl game.

“I can’t even explain it right now,” Taylor said. “I want to thank Coach McNair for giving me the opportunity to further my education and play football for this great school.”

The Braves will travel to Atlanta for the Celebration Bowl at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21 to face North Carolina A&T at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

More Sports

FRIDAY NIGHT SCOREBOARD: Week 15 games

Ferriday season over, five players suspended after game-ending brawl in playoff

Jefferson County looking to disrupt Magee QB’s accuracy in South State semifinals

Delta Charter’s season ends with loss to Westminster Christian