Alcorn State closes in on East Division title

The road to the SWAC Football Championship runs through Alcorn State.

Alcorn (5-2, 4-1) entertains Prairie View at 2 p.m. Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium in Lorman. A win moves the Braves closer to the Eastern Division title.

Quarterback John Gibbs injured his leg early two plays in the Braves' 48-7 win at Southern University. Sophomore Lenorris Footman came in and ran for 274 yards and four touchdowns, passing for six others. Gibbs' status is uncertain for Saturday's game, but the Braves have a capable backup signal-caller.

"We have a blessed situation at quarterback," Braves coach Jay Hopson told the New Orleans Advocate after Saturday's win.

Alabama State at Jackson State, 6 p.m.: The Tigers (3-5, 2-4) needed LaMontiez Ivy to pull out a 23-16 win over Mississippi Valley State. Ivy, who missed the previous week's game, stepped up against the Delta Devils.

Jackson State, however, must win its remaining three games for a chance at a winning season under interim coach Derrick McCall.

Mississippi Valley State at Alabama A&M, 1 p.m.: The Delta Devils (0-9, 0-9) face the Bulldogs at Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Ala. Valley needs a fast start for a chance to pull off the road victory.

Valley could see former Biloxi High quarterback Damion May Jr., who led the Bulldogs past Jackson State 28-22 three weeks ago. Ruban Thurston is the Delta Devils' starting quarterback, but struggled against the Tigers.

Valdosta State at Delta State, 4 p.m.: The Statesmen (5-4, 1-4 GSC) are playing for a winning season, now that a three-game losing skid has knocked them from NCAA Division II playoff contention. Delta State has struggled without All-American candidate Tyler Sullivan at quarterback. Tyler Cameron has improved for Delta State each week, but needs a game to pull out a win over the Vandals.

Sewanee at Millsaps, 1 p.m.: The Majors (1-7, 0-7 SAA) will finish with a losing record, having lost seven straight games. But the Majors found a few bright spots for the future. Running back Andrew Warren of Ocean Springs has rushed for a team-leading 352 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman.

Sul Ross State at Belhaven, 1 p.m.: The Blazers (1-8) close their second season under coach Hal Mumme. Next year, Belhaven will be full-fledged members of NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference. Defensive back Isaiah Swopes of Ocean Springs has five interceptions for the Blazers, one away from tying the single-season record.

Mississippi College at West Alabama, 2 p.m.: The Choctaws (2-6, 0-5 GSC) will be hard-pressed to beat West Alabama, who's competing for a D-II playoff berth. Chris Ingram became the 31st player to run over 1,000 yards rushing in a career.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Alcorn State closes in on East Division title ."