LORMAN &045; Alcorn defensive coordinator LaTraia Jones can finally rest a little easier.

The coach who’s also in charge of linebackers grew about as restless as a little kid when it came to finding the right combination at linebacker. The Braves had to find somebody to fill the position of Omega Logan in the middle, and candidates came just as fast as they left.

Not any more.

Instead of dipping into that freshman pool of linebackers, Jones went a different route. He moved strongside linebacker Leo Nobles to the middle, put sophomore Terrence Barnes at strongside with standout Dwan Wilson still at weakside and watched it click.

That was two games ago, and that’s the lineup for Saturday against Southern and every game thereafter until something happens.

&uot;I finally found my man,&uot; Jones said. &uot;He was right under my nose. We signed all these young guys to come in, but they’re still a year away. I told Leo, ‘I’ll have to put you in the

middle.’ He’s been doing a good job for us.

&uot;It was one of those deals where I had told Dwan that I wanted him to go in. At that point, Dwan didn’t feel comfortable playing inside. We asked Leo, and he’s been working with him and showing the little things of playing (middle) linebacker.&uot;

Leave it to the guy who has kept a whatever-it-takes attitude since he arrived at Alcorn prior to last season after playing junior college ball in California. Nobles solidified his spot at strongside late last year after playing defensive end in high school and junior college, and

he maintained that spot heading into this season.

That all changed two weeks ago against Prairie View.

&uot;It’s different,&uot; said Nobles, who is second on the team in total tackles with 55 behind Wilson’s 58. &uot;I’ll do whatever I can to make the team be successful. Coach was like, ‘Leo, you go there. Terrence, you go there.’ I was in there asking Dwan for advice on things. Spur of the moment.&uot;

Nobles brings a bit more experience and maturity to a position that’s awfully vital in the Braves’ 4-3 front setup. Logan showed for the past two seasons how solid a defense can be with a steady anchor at middle linebacker, particularly against defending the run.

The Braves had started three players at the position in the first four games &045; junior Tavari Hughes, freshman Antonio Cooper and freshman Lester Mosely &045; while rotating others in the position over the course of a game.

&uot;Our defense is built around the (middle) back,&uot; Jones said. &uot;(Nobles) has stepped up. It’s a little different being in the middle versus being out on the edge. There is so much more you’re looking at versus on the edge.&uot;

The Braves’ defense up front had been somewhat of a sore spot in those first four games, but the unit has played better in the last two in wins over Prairie View and Texas Southern. The Braves have moved up to seventh in the conference in rushing yards allowed after holding the Tigers to minus-2 yards on the ground and Prairie View to 162.

Even though the Tigers came into last week’s game as the worst offensive team in the SWAC, the outcome was a welcome sight for an Alcorn team that was allowing on average more than 200 yards on the ground a game.

&uot;When we played at Prairie View with Barnes in, we had good chemistry,&uot; Wilson said. &uot;We practiced hard, and it carried over to (the game). I think we feel comfortable with this defense.&uot;

Nobles finished the Texas Southern game with 10 tackles, his highest since registering 14 in the season opener against Grambling. Wilson was ahead of him with 12 tackles, and the two rank in the top five in the conference in total tackles.

&uot;It’s easier than (strong) to me,&uot; Nobles said. &uot;I like it. It’s all right. Dwan and Terrence are out there, and that helps out and makes it easier. We talk it up a lot. When you have somebody on both sides doing their job, it makes doing your job a lot easier.&uot;

Then there’s Barnes, the 6-2, 230-pound Bassfield native who arrived at Alcorn after one season at Pearl River Community College. He finished with three tackles against TSU but helped in other categories &045; half of a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and a sack &045; while playing alongside two experienced players.

&uot;They’re seniors, and it’s a good learning experience for me,&uot; Barnes said. &uot;(I’ve learned) how to be a team player. Everything fell into place. It’s great. I’m just happy to be playing.&uot;

Barnes is part of that group of young linebackers Jones and the coaching staff brought in as part of that talented recruiting class. Others are watching and learning.

&uot;Terrence has been doing a great job for us,&uot; Jones said. &uot;It’s not so much about gameday &045; it’s how you work in practice. Coach (Johnny) Thomas works with scout team, and he had been telling me he would be able to play for us. Our freshmen are watching and learning. I’m looking for the next three years we should be pretty good, and we’ll continue to add players.&uot;