By Taylor Denman

The Natchez Democrat

LORMAN — Alcorn State had to wait an extra week for its first complete football game.

The wait was worth it, but not easy.

Alcorn State topped Southwestern Conference rival Alabama State 21-18 after senior Eric Foster blocked a field goal in the final seconds Saturday.

The win gave Fred McNair his first as Alcorn’s coach, in his first full game. Last week’s season opener against Bethune-Cookman was called off in the second quarter because of lightning.

“If you want to win like that, I’ll take it,” McNair said. “I can’t say enough about the way we performed tonight … Hopefully the rest will come easier.”

Alcorn led 21-10 in the fourth quarter when Alabama State’s Dylan Renaker recovered a fumbled punt. The Hornets scored and converted the 2-point conversion with 5:59 remaining.

On Alcorn’s ensuing drive, running back Marquis Warford fumbled at midfield, and Alabama State took over with 4:24 to play. The Braves fumbled three times in the game, losing all three.

Alabama State advanced the ball to the Braves’ 18-yard line and took a timeout with 24 seconds remaining. On the ensuing field goal try, Foster leapt behind his defensive linemen and tipped a line-drive kick. Alcorn recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.

“I have to give it to my defense, they helped make that happen,” Foster said. “Hopefully there are more (big plays) to come.”

Alcorn State jumped on the board first. The Braves faced a fourth-and-7 at the Alabama State 30-yard line when kicker Corey McCullough connected with Terry Whittington on a fake punt to extend the drive.

“I can’t tell all my secrets, but it’s something we saw on film, and it was a perfect time for it,” McNair said.

Warford, who had been frustrated for most of the first quarter, capped off the drive by finding the edge on a sweep for a 13-yard score.

Alabama State then rattled off 10 straight points in the second quarter. Running back Khalid Thomas tied the game on a 9-yard reception from quarterback Quinterris Toppings. To close out the first half, Alabama State mustered a drive that lasted just under seven minutes and went deep into Braves’ territory before resulting in a 26-yard field goal. Alabama State led 10-7 at the half.

Alcorn State redshirt freshman quarterback Noah Johnson, a Tampa, Fla., native, entered for starter Lenorris Footman in the second half. Footman left with a lower leg injury. When he exited, Footman was 5-for-12 passing for 62 yards, and had 45 yards rushing.

“He just has a mild ankle (sprain),” McNair said. “He’ll be fine. We didn’t want to risk it getting worse in the second half.”

On his first drive, Johnson led the Braves down the field and scampered in for a 17-yard touchdown that gave them the lead. Johnson continued to roll on the next drive, connecting on 4 of 5 passes. De’Lance Turner capped the drive off with a 2-yard burst into the end zone to give his team a 21-10 lead.

Johnson finished the game 5-for-11 passing for 62 yards. He also had 61 rushing yards.

“Coach was calling up-tempo plays,” Johnson said. “It was either throw it out on the bubble or give it off to the back. It was real simple.”

Alcorn State’s secondary, which gave up the fewest passing yards in the conference last season, continued its dominance with former defensive backs coach Cedric Thomas in his first full game as defensive coordinator.

Alabama State was 9-for-21 passing and ran the ball 50 times.

“Coach Thomas does a great job with those guys in the back end,” McNair said. “Those guys know all the young guys have to play … I think overall the defensive effort was outstanding.”