Alcorn State Tries to Regain Swagger at Southern; Rundown of ALL HBCU Football Scheduled Saturday

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

Defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Alcorn State has an important date in Louisiana today, mainly because their last time in Louisiana didn't turn out so well.

Today, Alcorn State faces a Southern (4-3, 4-1 SWAC) team that is looking to get back into the SWAC title game picture in the SWAC West as they trail Grambling and Prairie View.

Two weeks ago, the Braves (4-2) fell to Grambling, a team Alcorn State most people expect to meet the Braves in this year's SWAC title game.

But after a bye week, Alcorn State won't be facing a pushover.  Two of Southern's three losses have come to FBS teams Louisiana Tech and Georgia, while their lone FCS loss was a wild 47-42 defeat at the hands of a solid Prairie View squad.

The Jaguars feature the SWAC's leading rusher in Lenard Tillery, who has averaged nearly 105 yards a game and has rushed for nine touchdowns. Quarterback Austin Howard is one of the SWAC most efficient quarterbacks as he's thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns against only three interceptions.

Still, Southern is facing the SWAC's top defensive unit in Alcorn State. with the league's top pass defense unit.

It shapes up to be a tough one in Baton Rouge.  Kickoff is at 4 p.m. CST.

Here is today's entire HBCU football schedule

SIAC

Central State at Tuskegee - The SIAC's top defensive unit, Central State, takes on the nation's top-ranked Division II HBCU football team.  The Marauders have also won four straight road games.
Benedict at Albany State
Morehouse at Fort Valley State
Kentucky State at Lane
Clark Atlanta at Concordia (Ala)

SWAC

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Prairie View A&M
College of Faith at Texas Southern
Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M
Jackson State at Mississippi Valley State

CIAA

Elizabeth City State at Virginia Union
Lincoln (Pa) at Bowie State
Johnson C. Smith at St. Augustine's
Fayetteville State at Livingstone
Shaw at Winston-Salem State
Virginia State at Chowan

MEAC

Savannah State at Howard
Hampton at South Carolina State
Norfolk State at North Carolina Central
Bethune-Cookman at Delaware State
North Carolina A&T at Florida A&M

OTHERS

Austin Peay at Tennessee State - Tennessee State (3-4, 0-4 OVC) returns to their traditional home, "The Hole" on campus to take on OVC rival Austin Peay.  The Tigers are in the midst of a disappointing season and are seeking their first OVC win of the season.
West Chester (Pa) at Cheyney
West Virginia State at UNC-Pembroke
Lincoln (Mo) at McKendree
Lyon at Langston
Texas College at Oklahoma Panhandle