SPORTS

Alcorn’s Double-Overtime Classic Highlights Difficult Week for SWAC

Alcorn State produced a record-setting comeback in Memphis, while Alabama A&M, Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State also earned victories during a challenging weekend for the conference.

by Derek Payne

Updated September 14, 2026

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Alcorn State turned the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s most competitive game of the weekend into one for the Southern Heritage Classic record book, rallying from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 53-51 in double overtime Saturday.

The conference’s Week Two results revealed a sharp divide. SWAC teams won all three of their games against non-FBS opponents but went winless in six matchups against Football Bowl Subdivision programs. Alcorn’s victory over UAPB was the weekend’s only conference game.

The Braves and Golden Lions combined for 104 points — the highest-scoring game in the Southern Heritage Classic’s 37-year history. It was also the event’s fourth overtime game and first since 2006.

Alcorn quarterback Jaylon Tolbert completed 32 of 45 passes for a career-high 488 yards and five touchdowns. The Braves generated 702 yards of offense, recorded 34 first downs and erased a two-touchdown deficit in the final quarter. Alcorn improved to 2-1 overall and opened conference play at 1-0. UAPB fell to 1-2 and 0-1 in the SWAC. Alcorn State game recap

Alabama A&M delivered the conference’s most complete defensive performance, limiting Tennessee State to a second-quarter field goal in a 30-3 Legacy Series victory at Louis Crews Stadium.

Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV completed his first 10 passes and finished 24 of 38 for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Jarel Williams caught eight passes for 175 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown. Alabama A&M accumulated 452 yards and forced three Tennessee State turnovers while improving to 2-1.

The 27-point victory was Alabama A&M’s largest against Tennessee State in 31 meetings. The Bulldogs are also 2-0 in games played under the Legacy Series banner. Alabama A&M game recap

Bethune-Cookman scored 22 fourth-quarter points to pull away from Stetson 43-18 in the first football meeting between the two Florida programs. The Wildcats led 21-10 after three quarters before breaking the game open during the final period. Bethune-Cookman game recap

Mississippi Valley State earned its first victory of the season by defeating Lincoln University of Pennsylvania 31-20 in the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field. The Delta Devils entered the game following losses to Nicholls and Sacramento State.

The remainder of the conference faced a demanding group of FBS opponents, including three Big 12 programs and nationally ranked Miami.

No. 7 Miami overwhelmed Florida A&M 77-7, while Houston defeated Southern 77-6. Grambling State fell to TCU 63-7, Prairie View A&M lost to Baylor 44-3 and Texas Southern was beaten by UTEP 51-10.

Alabama State provided the closest SWAC-FBS matchup of the weekend. The Hornets remained within striking distance but ultimately fell to Troy 34-17.

Collectively, the six SWAC teams facing FBS opponents were outscored 346-50. The results illustrated the financial and competitive realities of early-season guarantee games, as conference programs traveled into matchups against schools with greater roster depth and athletic budgets.

The weekend’s four SWAC victories came from Alcorn State, Alabama A&M, Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State. Florida A&M, Alabama State, Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern were defeated. Jackson State was idle.