Alcorn defeated Prairie View in overtime on Friday

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Story from Alcorn Athletics
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Jarveon Howard scored three plays into the first overtime period to help Alcorn complete a 23-16 come-from-behind win at Prairie View A&M in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Friday night football at Panther Stadium.

With Alcorn (4-5, 3-3 SWAC) trailing 16-9 midway through the fourth quarter, a five-play drive consisting of runs from Jarveon Howard and Javonta Leatherwood, respectively, saw the latter push his way into the end zone from five yards out for the Braves first touchdown of the evening.

Placekicker and punter Noah Kiani’s point-after attempt was good, and the game was tied at 16-all.

In the overtime period, Prairie View A&M (5-4, 4-2 SWAC) won the toss, electing to go on defense first.

On Alcorn’s first play from scrimmage in the extra period, receiver Manny Jones reversed field on a jet sweep, eluding the Panthers defense and scampered 22 yards down to the three yard line. Consecutive rushing attempts from Howard, eventually saw the Columbia, Mississippi native power into the end zone for a two-yard score. It was followed by Kiani’s PAT to put the visitors up, 23-16.

On Prairie View’s first play from scrimmage in its overtime possession, quarterback Trazon Connley hit his receiver Collier Ricks in the hands across the middle for what appeared to be the gam-tying score. However, Ricks mishandled the pass.

From there, the Alcorn defense – which got to Connley four times on the night in the form of quarterback sacks, collected another one from Malachi Bailey, followed by an interception to seal the road win for the Braves, as Tavarian McCullum picked off the pass in the end zone.

The Braves opened the game’s scoring in the first quarter when Kiani connected on one of his three field goals in the game. The first came from 21 yards out to put Alcorn up, 3-0 with 3:42 showing on the first quarter clock.

On Alcorn’s first possession of the second quarter, Kiani added a season-long 46-yard field goal to double the visitors’ advantage. His previous long was 42 yards at home to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

With Tre Lawrence earning his first career start under center for the Braves, the Mandarin High alum from Jacksonville, Florida would see his pass completion to Monterio Hunt in the end zone overturned following a lengthy video review. That allowed Kiani to add his third field goal of the first half to put the Braves up 9-0 at halftime.

Prairie View would score on each of its first three possessions to begin the second half, the first coming on the end of a Connley 24-yard connection with Colbey Washington down the middle for the touchdown.

That got the Panthers to within 9-7.

The hosts took their first lead of the night following Connley eluding tacklers to find his way to pay dirt with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point attempt was wide left, allowing PVAMU a 13-9 lead at that point.

Luis Reyes added a field goal from 28 yards out to put his team up, 16-9 early in the fourth quarter.

Howard led all rushers on the night with a game-high 125 yards, allowing him to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing on the campaign, respectfully. Leatherwood added 41 yards and Niko Duffey chipped in with 24 in the “Trident” attack for the Braves. In his first game starting at quarterback, Lawrence ended the night 7-of-22 passing for 82 yards.

The defense was sparked by the play of Claudin Cherelus with a season-best 14 tackles, while teammate Terreance Ellis added a season-best 10 stops (eight assisted).

For Prairie View, it was quarterback Connley ending the game with 14 yards on 13-of-26 passing and a touchdown. Running back Jaden Stewart amassed a team-best 94 yards on the ground for the Panthers.

Alcorn returns to SWAC play Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Braves hot Bethune-Cookman to Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium at 2 p.m.