LORMAN — When Alcorn State’s offense got the football back with 2:09 remaining in the game and trailing by six points, Braves coach Ernest Jones thought of one person — Steve McNair.

As a wide receiver catching passes from McNair at Alcorn in the mid-90’s, he witnessed numerous quick drives and comebacks authored by the Alcorn great.

Unfortunately, the McNair magic wasn’t able to come through tonight, and Alcorn’s final drive ended just short of the end zone in a 34-28 loss to Southeastern Louisiana that spoiled Jones’ ASU coaching debut.

Alcorn’s chance at victory was spoiled when quarterback Tim Buckley overshot his open tight end Channin Pugh in the back of the end zone on fourth down with 8 seconds left.

“I was marching up and down the sidelines saying we still had a chance,” Jones said. “I played with a miracle maker. Steve McNair made miracles happen in games like that. Our expectation was to drive the ball down, score and win the ball game.”

The final play put a sour final note on a great game for Buckley, who threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 82 yards and another touchdown in his first career start.

Buckley had set up Alcorn’s final chance at victory with a 30-yard scramble that turned into a 45-yard gain after a late hit with just over a minute left.

“I was pretty ready for the game,” Buckley said. “My mindset was to stay calm and focused, and that’s what I did.”

Buckley got the scoring started early in the first quarter with a 23-yard touchdown run, but Southeastern Louisiana tied the score on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Brian Babin to Chris Wilson.

ASU jumped back on top when Buckley tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Davaris Pilcher, but the Lions tied the score again on a Babin 14-yard toss to Sim Yarbrough.

Southeast took its first lead of the game late in the second quarter on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Babin to Wilson but Alcorn tied the game right before the half when Buckley found Emmanuel Arcenaux for a 56-yard score with just 44 seconds left in the half.

Babin was then injured on the final play of the half when he was hit by Idly Etienne. He was later diagnosed with a concussion.

Alcorn was unable to take advantage though and in just 14 seconds, would see a tie game turn into a 14-point deficit.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Southeastern Louisiana backup quarterback Mike Neville found a streaking Andre Cryer down the middle for a 48-yard bomb.

Jeff Turner’s extra point was no good, which kept the score at 27-21.

However, on Alcorn’s first play from scrimmage of its next possession, Pilcher fumbled the ball and Tommy Connors picked it up and rambled 14 yards for the score to give the Lions a 34-21 edge.

“We had too many turnovers and gave up too many big plays,” Jones said. “You can’t win a football game turning the ball over and giving up big plays like we did.”

ASU would fight back late in the fourth quarter.

They tightened up the score when Buckley found Antonio DeJarnette for an 8-yard strike with 4:13 left.

The Alcorn defense forced a Southeastern Louisiana punt, which gave the Braves the ball back at their own 36-yard line with 2:09 remaining.

Unfortunately, the final drive came up just short. However, Jones said he was still excited with the way his team played and was looking forward to preparing for Grambling next week.

“I’m still as excited as I was before the game to rebirth this program,” Jones said. “I can’t wait to start watching film on Grambling and can’t wait to get back in this stadium in front of this crowd.”