Alcorn State can clinch East Division championship with victory

Alcorn State is one win from playing for its second straight SWAC Championship next month.

The Braves entertain Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium. A victory puts Alcorn in the SWAC title game on Dec. 5 against Grambling.

Quarterback Robert Gibbs Jr. could return to the starting lineup after missing the last two games. Meanwhile, Lenorris Footman has played well in his absence and could start against the Bulldogs.

"Robert is getting better everyday, but still not at 100 percent," Braves coach Jay Hopson said in a SWAC Teleconference call. "He dressed last week and we'll continue to evaluate him. Lenorris has done a great job running our offense."

Former Biloxi High quarterback Damion May Jr. may start for the Bulldogs. The redshirt freshman threw a couple of touchdown passes each against Jackson State (17-12 win) and Mississippi Valley State (27-24 overtime loss).

Jackson State at Prairie View, 4 p.m.: The Tigers (3-6, 3-4) could start their third quarterback this season against the talent-laden Panthers, who still have a chance to win the Western Division championship.

LaMontiez Ivy, who threw for 2,199 yards and 15 touchdowns, will miss the remainder of the season because of an ankle injury. Either Jarin Morikawa or Jordan Williams will start the Tigers' last two games. Morikawa suffered a concussion against Valley, allowing Williams to get playing time.

"Ivy gave us everything he could give us, I'm proud of him," Jackson State interim coach Derrick McCall said. "Morikawa and Williams will both be ready to play."

Arkansas Pine Bluff at Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m.: The Delta Devils (1-10, 1-7) are coming off an open date, two weeks removed from their first win of the season. Valley beat Alabama A&M in overtime.

Slade Jarman is the fourth Delta Devils' starting quarterback. He threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama A&M. Jarman will start in the Delta Devils' season-finale.

"The win was a big boost to the players and coaches," Valley coach Rick Comegy said. "The players finally did something successful. Slade played well. We decided to make him our starter after the Jackson State game."

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Alcorn State can clinch East Division championship with victory ."