Southern Jaguars Claim Homecoming Victory Over Alcorn State in Pivotal SWAC Showdown
The Southern University Jaguars secured a thrilling 24-14 victory over Alcorn State during their homecoming game, propelling them to the top of the SWAC West standings. A late fumble recovery and a decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the win in front of an energized home crowd.
BATON ROUGE, La. — In front of an electric homecoming crowd at A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Southern University Jaguars secured a crucial 24-14 victory over the Alcorn State Braves on Saturday, asserting their dominance in the race for the SWAC West title.
The highly anticipated matchup brought together two storied rivals, both vying for the top spot in the division. Southern, riding high off their thrilling overtime win against Texas Southern the previous week, entered the game determined to give their homecoming crowd something to celebrate—and they delivered.
The Jaguars struck first, but Alcorn State responded quickly, leaving the game deadlocked at 14-14 by halftime. The third quarter saw both defenses dig in, with neither team managing to break the tie, setting the stage for a dramatic final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Southern’s determination paid off as their kicker drilled a clutch field goal, putting the Jaguars ahead 17-14. The tension in the stadium mounted as Alcorn State tried to mount a comeback, but a costly fumble by the Braves late in the quarter proved to be the turning point. The Jaguars pounced on the mistake, recovering the ball and capitalizing on the momentum shift.
Just moments after the recovery, Southern sealed the deal with a powerful touchdown run, extending their lead to 24-14 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The Jaguars’ defense, which had been stellar all game, stood tall in the final minutes, snuffing out any hopes of an Alcorn State comeback.
“This win means everything to us,” said head coach Eric Dooley. “Our players fought hard for this, and it’s always special to come out on top in front of our homecoming crowd. We’re going to savor this win, but we know the season isn’t over yet.”
The victory not only marked Southern’s first back-to-back wins of the season but also solidified their position as serious contenders for the SWAC West title. The Jaguars now shift their focus to next week’s road game against the Florida A&M Rattlers, a matchup that could further define their season.
Kickoff for the October 26th clash in Tallahassee is set for 6 p.m., where Southern will aim to continue their winning streak and keep their championship hopes alive.
