SFA (0-1; 0-0) VS. ALCORN STATE (0-0; 0-0)
WHEN: SEPT. 3, 2022 (SAT.) 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: LORMAN, MISSISSIPPI (SPINKS-CASEM STADIUM)
TV: NONE
RADIO: WPRL 91.7FM
As Lumberjack Nation shakes it's head to the nightmare of what has become the start of the 2022 season, a season filled with so much promise, and excitment, now looks to be a one filled with a little bit of too much hype.
The Jacks continue their 3-game road trip to start the season, and their next stop is Lorman, Mississippi, the home of the Alcorn State Braves.
ASU has not had a losing season since 2017 and have accumulated an amazing 20-2 record at home, in that span.
The last time the Braves lost in Spinks-Casem Stadium was 2018, in a 5 OT's 25-28 loss to conference foe Alabama State.
ASU returns 10 starters from the 2021 squad, a squad that went 6-5, highlighted by wins over SLC member Northwestern State, and a 7-point loss at FBS opponent South Alabama.
ALCORN STATE (10)
OFFENSE (6/11)
QB: 0/1
RB: 1/1
OL: 2/5
WR: 2/3
TE: 1/1
DEFENSE (3/11)
DL: 1/4
LB: 1/3
DB: 1/4
SPECIAL TEAMS (1/3)
P: 0/1
K: 1/2
ASU is lead by 2X SWAC Coach of the Year (2018, 2019) FRED MCNAIR, who is currently 7th all-time in wins at ASU with 30 victories, 4 SWAC East Titles, and a pair of SWAC Championships (2018, 2019).
The 2021 Braves averaged 155 rushing yards a game, (4 yards a carry) while passing for 225, scoring an average of 26 points a game while their defense gave up 25.
The rushing attack is lead by JR. RB NIKO DUFFEY 5-11; 175 who rushed for 805 yards (5.1 avg.) while scoring 4 TDs.
Receivers CJ BOLAR 6-1; 190 and JUAN ANTONEY JR. 6-0; 185 who combined for 1,101 yards and 9 TDs also return on offense.
Who will be the signal caller is a mystery.
QB FELIX HARPER has moved on after graduating, leaving 4 QB's remaining on the 2022 roster, that include senior graduate QB MARKEVION QUINN 6-3; 200 the former Memphis QB who out of Pearl River CC was ranked as the #10 Dual QB in the nation. Also listed are (SO) KOLE WILLIAMS 6-2; 200, (SO) TRE LAWRENCE 6-3; 185 and (R/FR) TEVARRIUS ADAMS 6-1; 190.
A little bit of a rebuilding year on the defensive side of the ball with the Braves returning only 3 starters.
CLAUDIN CHERELUS 6-2; 200 who was second on the team in tackles with 76 and first in TFL 11.0, sacks 2.0, and QBH's 4 does return at linebacker.
Yes, the Jacksonville State game is only one game, it was a FBS opponent, but it was one SFA was favored to win, and many are now wondering how that opening game experience will effect the Lumberjacks, and how they rebound.
No doubt things were exposed and opponents will try to exploit what they saw on the field.
Was their too much coaching turnover during the off-season, was it the loss of key players from the interior line, or is it something else? Maybe, it was just an early hiccup to the season that is now out of our system?
Everyone has their theories and their opinions on the situation, as some worry and doubt has now crept into the expectations of the 2022 season.
But one thing is for certain, no matter what the haters and other fan bases say, we the Lumberjack Nation have great pride in our school, and we will continue to back our teams and cheer them on to victory.
Axe'EM!
