HOUSTON (AP) — Alcorn State’s overtime loss to Grambling in October was a heartbreaker. The Braves, though, knew they could get chance at the Tigers.

They got in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game Saturday, and made the most of it.

The Braves reaped sweet revenge, beating Grambling 49-21, to claim their second consecutive SWAC title.

“These are great moments when you’re able to win championships,” said Alcorn coach Jay Hopson, a Vicksburg native. “I’m just proud and blessed to be a part of this journey and to be around these young men. It’s truly been the greatest blessing of my life. Just humbled and appreciate everyone that’s associated with our program. Great win today.”

The Braves (9-3) become the first team since 2002 to repeat as SWAC champs, joining Grambling as the only program to accomplish the feat. It’s Alcorn State’s 11th title.

Alcorn State will represent the SWAC in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl on Dec. 19, taking on North Carolina A&T out of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference.

Alcorn leaned on its rushing attack as Darryan Ragsdale ran for a championship game record 191 yards on 16 carries.

The Braves finished with 410 rushing yards rushing as Ragsdale, Lenorris Footman and Marquis Warford all finished with more than 100.

Footman had 19 carries for 123 yards and a score, while Warford had eight carries for 123 yards and a score.

“We have a good team,” Ragsdale said. “I knew coming into this game we were all on the same page and we knew everyone had one mindset. We just accomplished that.”

Alcorn State had 613 yards of offense, breaking the previous record of 583 yards set by Grambling in 2005.

The loss marked just the second time Grambling (9-3) has fallen in seven championship game appearances.

Quarterback Johnathan Williams kept the Tigers within striking distance, completing 18 of 36 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw three interceptions. He rushed for 51 yards.

Chad Williams led Grambling with five receptions for 64 yards.

Defensively, Alcorn’s Warren Gatewood excelled with three interceptions, returning one for a 24-yard touchdown.

“In reference to the picks I just was a play on the ball and I was blessed enough to make them,” Gatewood said. “I have to give it to my whole defense, to the defensive line to the linebackers.”

After a slow start the Braves scored 14 points in a span of 2:28. Ragsdale’s 84-yard touchdown set a championship game record for the longest run from scrimmage, and Gatewood had his pick-six.

Grambling stayed close with touchdowns on its next two possessions. Williams scored from 14 yards out, then hit Verlan Hunter for a 24-yard score to make it 21-14 with 9:14 left in the first half.

Alcorn’s defense clamped down the rest of the way. Grambling managed just one score, but it came with 7:53 left in the game.

Meanwhile, the Braves scored three more times in the second half.

Footman scored on a 9-yard run with 2:41 left in the third, then found Corbin Johnson from the 5 with 10 minutes left in the game.

Warford capped Alcorn’s day with a 37-yard run that set up the final score.

“It’s no secret what happened tonight,” Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said. “Alcorn State did a really good job, they had a good plan. Jay Hopson — my hats off to him, his staff and players. Definitely worthy of repeating. I thought they did a tremendous job of taking advantage of some mistakes we made.”