2025 Alcorn State Braves football team

2025 Alcorn State Braves football
2025 Alcorn State Braves football
Conference	Southwestern Athletic Conference
	West Division
Record	5–7 (4–4 SWAC)
Head coach	Cedric Thomas (2nd season);
Offensive coordinator	Jermaine Gales (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Deion Roberson (2nd season)
Home stadium	Casem-Spinks Stadium

2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference football standings

Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
Jackson State xy	7	–	1	9	–	3
Alabama State x	7	–	1	10	–	2
Bethune–Cookman	5	–	3	6	–	6
Florida A&M	4	–	4	5	–	7
Alabama A&M	1	–	7	4	–	8
Mississippi Valley State*	1	–	7	2	–	10
West Division
Prairie View A&M xy$	7	–	1	10	–	4
Texas Southern	5	–	3	6	–	5
Alcorn State	4	–	4	5	–	7
Grambling State	4	–	4	7	–	5
Arkansas–Pine Bluff*	2	–	6	4	–	8
Southern	1	–	7	2	–	10
Championship: Prairie View A&M 23, Jackson State 21
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant * – Ineligible for FCS postseason play due to failed academic requirements^[1] Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Alcorn State Braves football team represented Alcorn State University as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Braves were led by second-year head coach Cedric Thomas and played at the Casem-Spinks Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 28	7:00 p.m.	at Northwestern State*	Harry Turpin Stadium Natchitoches, LA	ESPN+	L 10–20	9,434
September 6	6:00 p.m.	at Alabama A&M^[a]*	Louis Crews Stadium Huntsville, AL	HBCU Go	L 31–41	15,147
September 13	5:00 p.m.	at Mississippi State*	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	SECN+/ESPN+	L 0–63	49,158
September 27	6:00 p.m.	vs. Arkansas–Pine Bluff	Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Memphis, TN (Southern Heritage Classic)	theGrio	L 20–24	21,442
October 4	3:00 p.m.	Prairie View A&M	Casem-Spinks Stadium Lorman, MS	SWAC TV	L 12–13	4,322
October 11	2:00 p.m.	Lincoln (CA)*	Casem-Spinks Stadium Lorman, MS	SWAC TV	W 42–0	7,201
October 18	3:00 p.m.	at Florida A&M	Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL	ESPN+	L 28–33
October 25	2:00 p.m.	Mississippi Valley State	Casem-Spinks Stadium Lorman, MS	SWAC TV	W 32–10	4,795
November 1	2:00 p.m.	at Texas Southern	Shell Energy Stadium Houston, TX	HBCU Go	W 33–14	3,983
November 8	3:00 p.m.	Southern	Casem-Spinks Stadium Lorman, MS	ESPN+	W 35–17	14,458
November 15	2:00 p.m.	Grambling State	Casem-Spinks Stadium Lorman, MS	SWAC TV	W 27–16	7,845
November 22	2:30 p.m.	at No. 20 Jackson State	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS (Soul Bowl)	ESPN+	L 21–27	44,097
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[2]^[3]

Notes

^ The game against Alabama A&M, a fellow member of the SWAC, is a non-conference game and does not count in the league standings.

Game summaries

at Northwestern State

Alcorn State Braves (0-0) at Northwestern State Demons (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	0	0	10	0	10
Demons	13	0	0	7	20

at Harry Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Date: August 28
Game time: 7:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 89 °F (32 °C) • Wind: SE at 0 miles per hour (0 km/h)
Game attendance: 9,434
Referee: Gil Rora
TV announcers (ESPN+): Patrick Netherton (play-by-play), Gary Reasons (analyst) and Jason Pugh (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

NWST – Ty Moore 15-yard pass from Abram Johnston (Grayson Lytton kick BLOCKED), 13:53. Demons 6–0. Drive: 3 plays, 66 yards, 1:07.
NWST – Ty Moore 8-yard punt return (Grayson Lytton kick), 7:44. Demons 13–0.

Second quarter

No scoring plays.

Third quarter

ALCN – Orlandus McLaurin 72-yard interception return (Grandin Willcox kick), 2:25. Demons 13–7.
ALCN – Grandin Willcox 51-yard field goal, 0:34. Demons 13–10. Drive: 4 plays, -8 yards, 0:56.

Fourth quarter

NWST – Ryan Tyler 1-yard run (Grayson Lytton kick), 9:06. Demons 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 6:17.

Statistics	ALCN	NWST
First downs	18	12
Total yards	301	270
Rushing yards	119	185
Passing yards	182	85
Turnovers	3	2
Time of possession	30:03	29:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing	Jaylon Tolbert	19/44, 182 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Reggie Davis	15 carries, 65 yards
	Receiving	Elijah Griffin	2 receptions, 58 yards
Northwestern State	Passing	Abram Johnston	9/18, 85 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Abram Johnston	17 carries, 69 yards
	Receiving	Kody Finley	1 reception, 26 yards

at Alabama A&M

Alcorn State Braves (0-1) vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs (0-1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	14	3	7	7	31
Bulldogs	21	7	7	6	41

at Louis Crews Stadium • Huntsville, AL

Date: September 6
Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: NW at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
Game attendance: 15,147
Referee: Y.N. Meyers III
TV announcers (HBCU Go): Charlie Neal (play-by-play), Jon Kelley (analyst) and Lawrencia Moten (sideline)

Game information

First Quarter

(12:21) AAMU – Jordan Chambers-Smith 19-yard pass from Cornelious Brown, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:47; Alabama A&M 7–0)
(9:40) ALCN – Reggie Davis 2-yard run, Grandin Willcox kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:41; Tied 7–7)
(6:52) AAMU – Daveon Walker 18-yard pass from Cornelious Brown, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:48; Alabama A&M 14–7)
(6:12) ALCN – Jacorian Sewell 80-yard run, Grandin Willcox kick (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:40; Tied 14–14)
(2:43) AAMU – Cornelious Brown 7-yard run, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 3:23; Alabama A&M 21–14)

Second Quarter

(8:22) AAMU – Cornelious Brown 8-yard run, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 2:24; Alabama A&M 28–14)
(1:09) ALCN – Grandin Willcox 40-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 2:46; Alabama A&M 28–17)

Third Quarter

(9:44) AAMU – Travaunta Abner 1-yard pass from Cornelious Brown, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 3:30; Alabama A&M 35–17)
(7:49) ALCN – Reggie Davis 20-yard run, Grandin Willcox kick (Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 1:48; Alabama A&M 35–24)

Fourth Quarter

(10:30) ALCN – Jarvis Rush 18-yard pass from Jaylon Tolbert, Grandin Willcox kick (Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 7:37; Alabama A&M 35–31)
(0:19) AAMU – Maurice Edwards 1-yard run (Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:27; Alabama A&M 41–31)

Statistics	ALCN	AAMU
First downs	20	23
Total yards	354	452
Rushing yards	186	192
Passing yards	168	260
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23–33–0	25–34–0
Time of possession	30:55	29:05

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing	Jaylon Tolbert	23/33, 168 yards, TD
	Rushing	Jacorian Sewell	12 carries, 115 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jarvis Rush	7 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Alabama A&M	Passing	Cornelious Brown	25/34, 260 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Maurice Edwards	21 carries, 80 yards, TD
	Receiving	Daveon Walker	6 receptions, 78 yards, TD

at Mississippi State (FBS)

Alcorn State Braves (0-2) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (FBS) (2-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs (FBS)	28	14	7	14	63

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

Date: September 13
Game time: 5:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 89 °F (32 °C) • Wind: NE at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h)
Game attendance: 49,158
Referee: Steven Robinson
TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (analyst) and Stephanie Otey (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

MSST – #4 J. Mosley 75-yard pass from #2 B. Shapen (Kyle Ferrie kick), 14:43. Bulldogs 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:17.
MSST – #24 F. Bothwell 3-yard rush (Kyle Ferrie kick), 9:15. Bulldogs 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 2:25.
MSST – #0 B. Thompson 42-yard pass from #1 K. Taylor (Kyle Ferrie kick), 8:02. Bulldogs 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:34.
MSST – #2 B. Shapen 6-yard rush (Kyle Ferrie kick), 5:12. Bulldogs 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 27 yards, 0:58.

Second quarter

MSST – #3 A. Evans III 22-yard pass from #2 B. Shapen (Kyle Ferrie kick), 7:20. Bulldogs 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 2:07.
MSST – #24 F. Bothwell 25-yard rush (Kyle Ferrie kick), 3:50. Bulldogs 42–0. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 2:03.

Third quarter

MSST – #22 X. Gayten 25-yard rush (Kyle Ferrie kick), 5:53. Bulldogs 49–0. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:10.

Fourth quarter

MSST – #17 L. Kromenhoek 3-yard rush (#49 M. Hauck kick), 9:55. Bulldogs 56–0. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 5:05.
MSST – #23 S. Davis 23-yard rush (#49 M. Hauck kick), 3:30. Bulldogs 63–0. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:59.

Statistics	ALCN	MSST
First downs	9	23
Total yards	161	514
Rushing yards	68	282
Passing yards	93	232
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13–21–1	13–18–1
Time of possession	43:07	16:53

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing	Jaylon Tolbert	11/18, 80 yards, INT
	Rushing	Jacorian Sewell	8 carries, 21 yards
	Receiving	Damien Jones	4 receptions, 21 yards
Mississippi State	Passing	Blake Shapen	10/14, 173 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Fluff Bothwell	12 carries, 93 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Anthony Evans III	4 receptions, 66 yards, TD

vs. Arkansas–Pine Bluff (Southern Heritage Classic)

Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions (1-2) vs. Alcorn State Braves (0-3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	6	7	7	0	20
Golden Lions	3	14	0	7	24

at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium • Memphis, TN

Date: September 27
Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: N at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
Game attendance: 21,442
Referee: Greg Morgan
TV announcers (theGrio): Tolly Carr (play-by-play), Steve Wyche (analyst), and Nia Symone (sideline)

Statistics	ALCN	UAPB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Arkansas–Pine Bluff	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Prairie View A&M

Prairie View A&M Panthers (3-2) vs. Alcorn State Braves (0-4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	3	7	0	3	13
Braves	3	3	6	0	12

at Casem-Spinks Stadium • Lorman, MS

Date: October 4
Game time: 3:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 4,322
Referee: Y.N. Meyers III
TV announcers (SWAC TV): Charles Bishop (play-by-play) and Charles Porter (analyst)

Statistics	PV	ALCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Prairie View A&M	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Lincoln (CA) (Ind)

Lincoln Oaklanders (Ind) (0-4) vs. Alcorn State Braves (0-5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oaklanders (Ind)	0	0	0	0	0
Braves	14	7	21	0	42

at Casem-Spinks Stadium • Lorman, MS

Date: October 11
Game time: 2:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C)
Game attendance: 7,201
Referee: Nathan Pinkard
TV announcers (SWAC TV): Santoria Black (play-by-play) and Reggie Flood (analyst)

Statistics	LCLN	ALCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lincoln (CA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Florida A&M

Alcorn State Braves (1-5) vs. Florida A&M Rattlers (1-4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	0	14	0	14	28
Rattlers	6	3	8	16	33

at Bragg Memorial Stadium • Tallahassee, FL

Date: October 18
Game time: 4:00 PM EDT
Game weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 19,465
Referee: Charles Green
TV announcers (ESPN+): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst)

Statistics	ALCN	FAMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Florida A&M	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Mississippi Valley State

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-5) vs. Alcorn State Braves (1-6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Delta Devils	0	0	7	3	10
Braves	9	13	10	0	32

at Casem-Spinks Stadium • Lorman, MS

Date: October 25
Game time: 2:00 PM CDT
Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: NW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)-->
Game attendance: 4,795
Referee: Jarvis Walker
TV announcers (SWAC TV): Santoria Black (play-by-play) and Ken Moore (analyst)

Statistics	MVSU	ALCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Mississippi Valley State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Texas Southern

Alcorn State Braves (2-6) vs. Texas Southern Tigers (4-3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	-	-	-	-	0
Tigers	-	-	-	-	0

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, TX

Date: November 1
Game time: 2:00 PM CDT
TV announcers (HBCU Go): James Hadnot (play-by-play), Jon Kelley (analyst) and Lawrencia Moton (sideline)

Statistics	ALCN	TXSO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Texas Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Southern

Southern Jaguars (1-8) vs. Alcorn State Braves (3-6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	-	-	-	-	0
Braves	-	-	-	-	0

at Casem-Spinks Stadium • Lorman, MS

Date: November 8
Game time: 3:00 PM CST
TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play by play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)

Statistics	SOU	ALCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Grambling State

Grambling State Tigers (0-0) vs. Alcorn State Braves (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	-	-	-	-	0
Braves	-	-	-	-	0

at Casem-Spinks Stadium • Lorman, MS

Date: November 15
Game time: 2:00 PM CST
TV announcers (ESPN+): Santoria Black (play by play) and Ken Moore (analyst)

Statistics	GRAM	ALCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Grambling State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 20 Jackson State (Soul Bowl)

Alcorn State Braves (5-6) vs. No. 20 Jackson State Tigers (8-2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	-	-	-	-	0
No. 20 Tigers	-	-	-	-	0

at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium • Jackson, MS

Date: November 22
Game time: 2:30 PM CST
TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play by play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)

Statistics	ALCN	JKST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Jackson State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ "Akron handed 2025 bowl ban: Zips flunk out of postseason after failing to meet NCAA academic standings". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
^ Kelley, Kevin (January 28, 2025). "Alcorn State announces 2025 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
^ Herder, Sam (May 23, 2025). "2025 Alcorn State Football Schedule". Hero Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2025.

[note-2] The game against Alabama A&M, a fellow member of the SWAC, is a non-conference game and does not count in the league standings.

[1] "Akron handed 2025 bowl ban: Zips flunk out of postseason after failing to meet NCAA academic standings". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.

[3] Kelley, Kevin (January 28, 2025). "Alcorn State announces 2025 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved July 29, 2025.

[4] Herder, Sam (May 23, 2025). "2025 Alcorn State Football Schedule". Hero Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2025.

[1]

[a]

[2]

[3]

Alcorn State Braves football
Venues	Henderson Stadium (1925–1991) Casem-Spinks Stadium (1992–present)
Bowls & rivalries	1951 Tropical Bowl 1952 Lion's Bowl 1968 Orange Blossom Classic 2015 Celebration Bowl 2018 Celebration Bowl Jackson State: Soul Bowl
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
National championship seasons in bold