Alcorn wins the Southern Heritage Classic in double overtime

Last updated: September 13, 2026

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (VDN) —

Story from Alcorn Athletics

Alcorn State University delivered a performance for the Southern Heritage Classic record books Saturday night, rallying from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and outlasting the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 53-51, in double overtime in the 37th Southern Heritage Classic at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The 104 combined points marked the highest-scoring game in Southern Heritage Classic history, while the contest became just the fourth overtime game in Classic history and the first since 2006.

Alcorn improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the SWAC. The Braves produced 702 yards of total offense, including 488 through the air and 214 on the ground, and recorded 34 first downs in the victory.

Quarterback Jaylon Tolbert authored a career night, completing 32-of-45 passes for a career-high 488 yards and five touchdowns. His 488 passing yards made him the first Alcorn quarterback to throw for at least 400 yards in a game since LenNorris Footman against McNeese State in 2017. Tolbert also established career highs in both passing yards and touchdown passes while averaging 10.8 yards per attempt and completing passes to 12 different receivers.

Running back Ernest Temple was equally instrumental in the victory, turning in a 200-yard all-purpose performance. Temple rushed 28 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown in the second overtime, while adding five receptions for 56 yards. His 200 all-purpose yards led the Braves and gave Alcorn a consistent presence on the ground throughout the marathon contest.

Alcorn jumped out quickly behind Tolbert’s arm. The Braves marched 86 yards on their opening possession, with Tolbert finding Tyree Kelly for a 28-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. After UAPB answered with a field goal, Tolbert connected with Nolan Chambers for a 23-yard touchdown, putting the Braves ahead 12-3 with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter.

The Golden Lions pulled within 12-10 early in the second quarter before Temple capped an eight-play, 54-yard Alcorn drive with a one-yard touchdown run to extend the advantage to 18-10. UAPB answered late in the half with Garrison Davis’ 39-yard touchdown pass to D’Avery Robinson, cutting Alcorn’s halftime lead to 18-17.

UAPB took its first lead of the night in the third quarter when Davis connected with Jordan Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown, putting the Golden Lions ahead, 24-18.

The deficit grew early in the fourth quarter when Michael Henderson intercepted Tolbert in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, giving UAPB a 31-18 advantage. Alcorn immediately responded, driving 75 yards in six plays before Fredrick Robertson scored on a four-yard run to trim the margin to 31-24.

UAPB appeared to regain control when Za’Marion Webber broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run with 9:40 remaining, pushing the Golden Lions’ advantage to 38-24.

What followed was a furious Alcorn comeback. Just 19 seconds later, Tolbert found Kelly for a 68-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 38-31. After the Alcorn defense forced a three-and-out and UAPB later missed a 41-yard field goal, Tolbert and the Braves went back to work.

Alcorn drove 76 yards in seven plays, with Tolbert finding Damien Jones for a nine-yard touchdown with 3:50 remaining. Demetrion Duvall’s extra point tied the game at 38-38, completing Alcorn’s comeback from 14 points down.

The Braves had an opportunity to win in regulation after getting the football back with 1:52 remaining. Alcorn drove from its own 42-yard line to the UAPB 3, but Duvall’s 21-yard field-goal attempt was blocked as time expired, sending the Southern Heritage Classic into overtime.

UAPB scored first in the opening overtime when Davis found Paul Summers II for a seven-yard touchdown, giving the Golden Lions a 45-38 advantage.

Facing fourth down on its ensuing possession, Alcorn kept the game alive before Tolbert connected with Armon Wright for a three-yard touchdown. Carson Wilt converted the extra point, tying the game at 45 and forcing a second overtime.

Alcorn possessed the ball first in the second overtime. The Braves moved the ball to the UAPB 2-yard line, where Temple powered into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the night. Robertson then found Caleb Anderson for the two-point conversion, giving Alcorn a 53-45 lead.

UAPB answered when Jaylen Jennings scored on an 18-yard run to make it 53-51. With the Golden Lions needing a two-point conversion to extend the game, Davis’ pass attempt to Owen Colpeart failed, setting off the Alcorn celebration and sealing one of the most memorable victories in Southern Heritage Classic history.

Kelly turned in a career night of his own, leading the Alcorn receiving corps with six receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by his 68-yard fourth-quarter score. Wright caught six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, Jones finished with four catches for 59 yards and a score, and Chambers added a 23-yard touchdown reception. Temple’s five catches for 56 yards complemented his 144-yard rushing effort.

Defensively, Timothy Jasper led the Braves with 13 tackles and added an interception. Elijah Ruffin, Jordan Daniel, Kyshawn Kimble and Jayden Davis each recorded five tackles. Alcorn registered three sacks, with Kenneth Andrews, Dillon Crowell and Jakel Houston-Irving each recording one. Ruffin forced a fumble, while Mahamadou Diarra recovered one.

Alcorn’s offense finished with 702 total yards on 90 plays, averaging 7.8 yards per play. The Braves accumulated 34 first downs, rushed for 214 yards and scored eight offensive touchdowns — five passing and three rushing.

The victory gave Alcorn its first SWAC win of the season and improved the Braves to 2-1 overall.

Notes

• Alcorn State defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 53-51 in double overtime, in the 37th Southern Heritage Classic.
• The 104 combined points were the most in Southern Heritage Classic history.
• The game was the fourth overtime contest in Southern Heritage Classic history and the first since 2006.
• Alcorn improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play.
• Jaylon Tolbert established career highs with 488 passing yards and five touchdown passes, completing 32-of-45 attempts.
• Tolbert became the first Alcorn quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards in a game since LenNorris Footman against McNeese State in 2017.
• Tolbert’s five touchdown passes went to four different receivers — Tyree Kelly twice, Nolan Chambers, Damien Jones and Armon Wright.
• Ernest Temple rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries and caught five passes for 56 yards, finishing with 200 all-purpose yards.
• Temple scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run in the second overtime.
• Tyree Kelly caught six passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
• Alcorn rallied from a 38-24 deficit with 9:40 remaining in regulation, scoring 14 unanswered points to force overtime.
• The Braves produced 702 yards of total offense, with 488 passing yards and 214 rushing yards.
• Alcorn recorded 34 first downs, including 19 through the air and 13 on the ground.
• The Braves ran 90 offensive plays and averaged 7.8 yards per play.
• Alcorn’s defense recorded three sacks and forced two UAPB turnovers.
• Timothy Jasper recorded a game-high 13 tackles and an interception.
• Attendance at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium was 21,881.

How It Happened
First Quarter

• Alcorn opened the game with a 10-play, 86-yard drive, capped by Tolbert’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Kelly with 10:51 remaining.
• UAPB responded with Trey Glymph’s 26-yard field goal to cut Alcorn’s lead to 6-3.
• Tolbert directed another touchdown drive on Alcorn’s second possession, completing a 23-yard scoring pass to Chambers.
• The Braves carried a 12-3 lead into the second quarter after Tolbert completed 10-of-13 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the opening period.

Second Quarter

• UAPB cut the lead to 12-10 when Davis connected with Robinson for a 25-yard touchdown with 14:51 remaining.
• Alcorn answered with an eight-play, 54-yard scoring drive, capped by Temple’s one-yard touchdown run with 4:47 left in the half.
• Temple rushed for 60 yards on eight carries in the second quarter alone.
• Robinson caught his second touchdown of the quarter, a 39-yard pass from Davis with 1:54 remaining, pulling UAPB within 18-17.
• Alcorn drove into scoring range in the final two minutes, but a 30-yard field-goal attempt missed as time expired.

Third Quarter

• UAPB took its first lead when Davis connected with Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown with 10:25 remaining.
• Neither team scored again in the period, sending the Golden Lions into the fourth quarter ahead 24-18.
• Alcorn’s defense created a turnover late in the quarter, giving the Braves possession in UAPB territory.

Fourth Quarter

• Henderson’s 100-yard interception return extended UAPB’s lead to 31-18 with 14:44 remaining.
• Robertson capped a six-play, 75-yard Alcorn drive with a four-yard touchdown run to make it 31-24.
• Webber broke free for a 54-yard touchdown with 9:40 remaining, putting UAPB ahead 38-24.
• Just 19 seconds later, Tolbert connected with Kelly for a 68-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 38-31.
• After UAPB missed a 41-yard field goal, Alcorn drove 76 yards in seven plays, with Tolbert connecting with Jones for a nine-yard touchdown at the 3:50 mark to tie the game at 38-38.
• Alcorn drove to the UAPB 3-yard line in the closing seconds, but a 21-yard field-goal attempt was blocked as time expired.

First Overtime

• UAPB scored first on Davis’ seven-yard touchdown pass to Summers II, taking a 45-38 lead.
• Alcorn answered when Tolbert found Wright for a three-yard touchdown.
• Wilt’s extra point tied the game at 45-45 and forced a second overtime.

Second Overtime

• Temple scored on a two-yard touchdown run, giving Alcorn a 51-45 lead.
• Robertson connected with Anderson for the mandatory two-point conversion, pushing the Braves ahead 53-45.
• Jennings answered with an 18-yard touchdown run for UAPB, cutting the margin to 53-51.
• UAPB’s ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed, sealing Alcorn’s 53-51 double-overtime victory.