LORMAN — Alcorn State’s rout of Texas Southern was already well under way by the time the second quarter began Saturday.

The start of the period, however, seemed to be the signal the Braves needed to kick things up a notch, just like they always do.

Alcorn scored 26 points to turn a 14-point cushion into a 40-10 blowout by halftime, and went on to win 40-25.

It was the fourth time this season that Alcorn has scored at least 21 points in the second quarter, and they’ve outscored opponents 127-43 in that quarter this season. It’s a big reason the Braves are 6-2 and in firm control of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division.

“We want to score. We tell our punter we don’t want you to punt. That’s our goal, is to get our punter to sit down and not punt all day,” Alcorn quarterback John Gibbs, Jr. said.

Gibbs has been the triggerman for Alcorn’s explosive offense all season, and seems to always find his groove in the second quarter.

Seven of the junior’s nine touchdown passes, and three of his seven rushing TDs, have come in the second quarter.

Against Texas Southern, Gibbs was 7-for-11 passing for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the second quarter. He also ran for a 3-yard touchdown.

“I get into a nice rhythm. The offense starts clicking and we start moving the ball down the field and getting first downs, go into attack mode, and everything goes well,” Gibbs said.

While Alcorn’s offense has been explosive in the second quarter, its defense has been equally dominant.

In seven games, only Southern Miss has scored more than one touchdown against the Braves. They’ve shut out opponents four times.

“I just hope it keeps up. We came into a groove today, really in the first quarter, and continued that on into the second quarter,” Hopson said after Saturday’s win over Texas Southern. “We need to put it together for four quarters. That’s what it takes to be successful.”

Beyond the statistics, defensive back Anthony Williams, Jr. said the second quarter dominance has helped the Braves in terms of momentum.

By being able to push the tempo and increase leads, they’ve been able to demoralize opponents as the score tilts heavily in their favor. Alcorn’s two losses — by six points to Southern Miss and seven to Grambling — have been the only games its played that have been decided by less than 26 points.

Alcorn has also outscored opponents 86-18 in the fourth quarter, as it ties a tidy bow around beaten foes.

“Every time we get in the locker room, coach Hop always tells us the score is 0-0 going into the next quarter. That’s how we have to play. We’re going to execute from every snap, because we have to protect that lead,” Williams Jr. said. “It gives us a lot of confidence, because that’s where we play. We’re going to execute and get above the level, and get a little better.”