MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Butler, Barnett, Blount, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY "BRAVES" FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH FRED MCNAIR FOR WINNING THE 2019 SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SECOND-CONSECUTIVE YEAR, WHICH WAS THE 17TH CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
WHEREAS, for the second-consecutive year, the Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team used a big fourth quarter to win the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship 39-24 over Southern University Baton Rouge on December 7, 2019, at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium; and
WHEREAS, the Braves (9-3, 6-1 SWAC) trailed 17-16 heading into the fourth quarter, and were still down 24-22 with 8:43 remaining. Alcorn took the lead on a 23-yard field goal by Senior Corey McCullough, and then put the game away with a six-yard rushing touchdown by Senior De'Shawn Waller and a pick-six by Senior Taurence Wilson; and
WHEREAS, wide receiver Senior LeCharles Pringle was named the SWAC Championship Offensive MVP. He hauled in a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown. The SWAC Championship Defensive MVP went to defensive back Junior Juwan Taylor. He matched his career-high with 11 tackles and also tallied an interception, forced fumble and tackle for a loss, and quarterback Junior Felix Harper, the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, ended with 226 yards and a touchdown; and
WHEREAS, it was the second year in a row where Alcorn trailed by Southern by one point heading into the fourth quarter. Last year, it was down 28-27 when it scored the final 10 points of the game. In both games, the Braves took control in the fourth; and
WHEREAS, with this victory, the Braves reached the following landmarks:
ˇ The Braves won their 17th Conference Championship in school history, their second in the last six years;
ˇ The Braves won their 17th Conference Championship in school history, their second in a row and fourth in the last six years;
ˇ Alcorn has now won 10 of the last 11 games against Southern. It includes wins in the 2014, 2018 and 2019 SWAC Championships. Alcorn is 40-27-2 all-time against the Jaguars;
ˇ The Braves, who are the six-time reigning SWAC East Division champions, posted their first-ever 7-0 season in stadium history. Alcorn is 86-53 all-time at the stadium in 28 seasons. Alcorn is the only institution to ever host a SWAC Championship, and did so for the second year in a row;
ˇ Alcorn upped its home winning-streak to 10 games, which is the fifth longest active streak in Football Championship Subdivision. It was the fifth undefeated home season in stadium history, and the first since 2002;
ˇ With a 56-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, Pringle tied the all-time school record for touchdown catches in a season with 14. It was set by Tim McNair, Sr., in 1994;
ˇ Alcorn has won 21 straight games when leading at halftime;
ˇ The Braves have won eight of their last nine games against SWAC West Division opponents. They snapped Southern's four-game winning-streak;
ˇ Alcorn has outscored the opposition 99-51 in the fourth quarter this year. It came after it outscored the opposition 102-42 in the fourth quarter in 2018;
ˇ With the go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter, McCullough is up to 44 field goals made in his career, which are the most in school history;
ˇ The Braves entered the game ranked No. 1 in the national HBCU Coaches Poll, by BOXTOROW; and
WHEREAS, what does it mean to be back-to-back SWAC Champions? "It's a testament to these young men in how they play the game. They work hard all through camp and through the season to get to this point, and this is where they wanted to be. They got a chance to make history on their own grass," said Coach McNair; and
WHEREAS, the postseason ended in disappointment at the Celebration Bowl on December 21, 2019, where North Carolina A&T defeated Alcorn State 64-44. Alcorn came into the game against North Carolina A&T as underdogs and sported a big chip on their shoulders. They embraced that role, but in the end came up short of pulling off the upset; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team Roster is: Tevarrius Adams, Daylon Burks, Felix Harper, De'Shawn Waller, Niko Duffey, Akeem McNair, Tim McNair, Jr., Nigel Wood, Chris Blair, Thaddeus Peyton, Noah Johnson, Calvontay Key, Lazarious Pinder, Asante Griffin, Keyron Kinsler, Jr., Juan Anthony, Jr., Ernest Dixon, Jyron Russell, Chris Green, Corey McCullough, Allen Bruce, Juwan Taylor, Taurence Wilson, Alec Bailey, Jonathon Bolton, Trey Turner, Alvin Edney, E.J. Thomas, Chris Hart, Augustin Avouwadan, Jaaron Jackson, Makenzie Black, Qwynnterrio Cole, Mikail Webb, Greg Blue, Nichel Herron, Elmer Johnson, Kahleab Hill, Creo Argue, Jr., Mohamed Bakayoko, Jamaskian Chapman, Jaylon Pitts, Daimen Anderson, Kevon Marsh, Jacorian "Kobe" Wren, Javen Morrison, Trevor James, Jordan Richo, Brelion Hollis, Solomon Muhammad, Aurelius Hardy, Darrell Henderson, Jayden Barfield, Wanya Morris, Dylan Taylor, Michael Ajumobi, Kodi Travis, Malik Holbert, Steve Carter, Jerome Boulden, II, Chris Monroe, Kevin Hall, Greg White, Franklin Smith, Joshua Brown, Vance Heidelberg, Jemar Nunley, Braxton Spells, Deonte Brooks, Steffon Savage, Darius Smith, Will Ready, Antonio Patterson, Columbus Willis, Darius Davis, Mustaffa Ibrahim, Joseph Milburn, Eric Sherrod, Ryan McKenzie, Hakeim Warren, Raidarious Anderson, LeCharles Pringle, Kendrick Brown, Jerimiah Green, Jordan Hart, Kyontez Everett, Brandon Campbell, Demetrius Lewis, Zyrion Thompson, Darron Sims, Colten Menges, Kee Wayne Jones, Quadry Daniels, Tre' Huntley, Trevor Vines, Theron Bonds, Myron Means, and Christopher Epps; Football Coaching Staff: Fred McNair, Head Coach; Cedric Thornton, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator; Elliott Wratten, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line; Damon Frenchers, Defensive Line; Jason Phillips, Wide Receivers; Darius Hart, Defensive Ends; Lane Powell, Special Teams; Pat White, Quarterbacks; Chris Cash, Safeties; Leroy Frederick, Cornerbacks; Ryan Busz, Running Backs; Chase Alexander, Graduate Assistant; Matthew Brown, Student Assistant; Ronald Williams, Video Coordinator; Lonnie Maddox, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach; and Myles Quimby, Graduate Assistant; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these championship athletes who have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team and "SWAC Coach of the Year" Fred McNair for winning their second-consecutive 2019 SWAC Championship, which was the 17th Championship in school history, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success in postseason play.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Fred McNair for the team, forwarded to Alcorn State University President Dr. Felecia M. Nave and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.