MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (13th), Butler (36th), Hopson, Blount, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Fillingane, Frazier, Gandy, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Lee, Kirby, Montgomery, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (12th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BRAVES FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JAY HOPSON ON THEIR OUTSTANDING 2014 SEASON FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 20 YEARS AND FOR THEIR NO. 1 RANKING IN THE FCS AS 2014 BLACK COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
WHEREAS, on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, the Alcorn State University Braves Football Team won the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship by defeating the Southern University and A&M College Jaguars Football Team in Baton Rouge in a victory of 38-24; and
WHEREAS, for the Braves, the storybook win marked the 10th SWAC Championship Title, the first victory in a SWAC Championship Game, and the first time in the football program's history that the team has won 10 games in a season, ending their season with a 10-3 record; and
WHEREAS, the Braves finished their 2014 Division I-AA Football Championship Series (FCS) season ranked 1st in the nation in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, Heritage Sports Radio Network, American Urban Radio Network, and Box-to-Row sports media polls; and
WHEREAS, in their regular season outing on September 27, 2014, Alcorn State demolished Southern by 40 points and ruined the Jaguars season by destroying Southern's chance of winning a revenge game and repeating as SWAC Champions; and
WHEREAS, Alcorn State University Head Football Coach James "Jay" Hopson (23-13), a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has coached great teams during his three-year tenure, but the 2014 squad has been his best yet, as the Braves overwhelmed their opponents all season long, outscoring their opponents 572-254 in 10 victories, through a potent combo of dominant defense and powerful offense; and
WHEREAS, Braves junior quarterback, SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Championship Game Offensive MVP John Gibbs, Jr., could not be contained by the Jaguars defense, as he completed 20-of-30 passing attempts for 245 yards, throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for 132 yards on 16 carries for the most rushing yards in the history of the Championship Game, and becoming the first quarterback in Alcorn history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. The Braves rode big offensive performances from a ploughing offensive line running backs Anthony Williams III and Arron Baker, and wide receivers Jordan Payne, Zerick Rollins, Jr., Billy Shed, Charles Hughes and Brandon Vessell, who hauled in the fascinating final touchdown catch that put the game away. Junior wide receiver Jarvis Turner set a new all-time high in the SWAC Championship Game record by retuning five kick-offs for 133 yards. Sophomore kicker Haiden McCraney set a new all-time SWAC Championship Game record in PATs made with 5-of-5 attempts. The Braves defense displayed impressive play, particularly senior linebacker William Thomas II, who recovered a Jaguars fumble, recorded nine solo tackles, and was named the Championship Game's Defensive MVP. The Braves dominated the game statistically and held their opponent to only 24 points, ensuring the Braves never trailed the Jaguars in the match-up; and
WHEREAS, the Braves became the first team in the SWAC Eastern Division to win the Championship Game in their first appearance. The 2014 SWAC Championship Game attracted 39,583 fans, the fourth largest crowd in the 15-year history of the Championship Game, was broadcast live on ESPN, showcased before a national audience, and showed that the Alcorn Braves had risen back to the top of our state and nation after two decades of playing in the shadow of other programs. Finishing their season with an impressive 10-3 overall record, the Braves defeated Virginia University Lynchburg, Louisiana College, Mississippi Valley State University, Southern University, Alabama State University, Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Alabama A&M University, the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Southern University; and
WHEREAS, for the second consecutive season, the Alcorn State Football Team has produced the most players on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) All-Conference 1st Team with John Gibbs, Jr., earning the Co-Offensive Player of the Year Honor. The All-SWAC 1st Team offense also included Isaac Sampson (OL) and Jordan Payne (TE). Defensive linemen Deion Roberson and Darien Moody, and defensive backs Warren Gatewood and Devon Francois each earned 1st Team All-SWAC defensive honors. Anthony Williams III (RB) and Detonio Dade (OL) made the All-SWAC 2nd Team offense, and Damon Watkins (LB) was named to the All-SWAC 2nd Team defense. Sophomore kicker Haiden McCraney was named the All-SWAC 2nd Team kicker and punter; and
WHEREAS, the 2014 Alcorn State University Football Roster was comprised of: Deago Sama, WR; Joe Price, RB; John Gibbs, Jr., QB; Anthony Williams III, RB; Tollette George, WR; Tavares Johnson, Jr., QB; Jordan Payne, TE; Jarvis Turner, WR; Zerick Rollins, Jr., WR; Jaborian McKenzie, WR; Brandon Vessell, WR; Billy Shed, WR; Desmond Stevenson, DB; Ben Brooks, DB; Fenest Haiden McCraney, KP; Lenorris Footman, QB; Anthony Williams, Jr., DB; C.J. Morgan, DB; Quinton Cantue, DB; Darryan Ragsdale, RB; Devon Francois, DB; Warren Gatewood, DB; Devin Fleming, DB; Casey Freeman, TE; Daniel Franklin, DB; Kylan Johnson, DB; Jeremiah Sams, RB; Hendrick Taylor, DB; Christian Brown, DB; Stacey Garner, LB; Damon Watkins, LB; Corey Williams, LB; Ashton Hall, RB; Arron Baker, LB; Jamil Cooks, DE; Robert Clay, RB; Jestin Williams, LB; D'Andre Smith, DB; Nicholas Brown, DB; Alondrea Young, FB; Josh Ivery, RB; Darien Anderson, LB; Jayron Harness, DB; Michael Lester, RB; Michael Hurns, LB; Terrell Williams, LB; Marcquiso Jean, P; Ramonte Bell, DL; William Thomas II, LB; Dwayne King, Jr., LB; Cameron Carter, LB; Deion Roberson, LB; Darien Moody, DE; Frederick Ross, LB; Rickey Joseph, DL; Dareio Harvey, LS; Rodneal Smith, DL; Mauola Malaga, OL; Iskeli Ongosia, OL; Toto'a Leilua, OL; Detonio Dade, OL; Jeremy Toines, OL; Johnathan Scott, OL; Jeffery Reno, Jr., OL; Chris McRea, OL; Eric Snow, OL; Leroy Greenidge, OL; Isaac Sampson, OL; Charles Hughes, WR; Nick Sanders, WR; Stephen Glover, WR; LaDarrien Davis, WR; Jalen Walker, WR; Norlando Veals, WR; Malcolm Grant, WR; Genoa Sartin, WR; Brandon Campbell, WR; Lamarvin Ashley, WR; Metise Moore, TE; Kenyon Brantley, DL; Jamil Johnson, DL; Sterling Shippy, DL; Michael Brooks, Jr., DE; Jeremy Jordan, DL; Ladonn Bolden, DL; Carrington Aloese, DL; Ernesto Santillan, K; Deion McNair, DL; Johnathon Hauer, WR; Troy Hobbs, WR; Julius Lawrence, LB; Eric Foster, DB; Darius Dean, RB; Head Coach Jay Hopson; Assistant Coaches: Fred McNair (AHC/QBs), Willie Simmons (OC), Ryan Stanchek (OL), Leroy Frederick (WRs), Lane Powell (TE), Tony Pecoraro (DC), Ralph Street (DL), Cedric Thomas (DBs), Wes Turner (NBs), Reggie Haralson (S&C), and William Prince (S&C); and Graduate Assistant Coach Yancey Satterwhite; and
WHEREAS, Alcorn is the oldest public historically black land-grant institution in the United States and the second-oldest state-supported institution of higher learning in Mississippi. Alcorn University was founded in 1871 as a result of the people of Mississippi's efforts to educate the descendants of formerly enslaved Africans, and was named in honor of the 17th Governor of Mississippi James L. Alcorn; and it is with great pride that we commend this team of university 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 Head Coach Jay Hopson for their outstanding 2014 season, their victory in the 2014 SWAC Championship Game, and for being named the undisputed 2014 Black College National Champions, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future academic and athletic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Alcorn State University Braves Football Team, Head Coach Jay Hopson, President Alfred Rankins, Jr., forwarded to the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to Capitol Press Corps.