MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (13th), Butler, Jackson (11th), Horhn, Jackson (32nd), Blount, Turner-Ford, Norwood, Hopson, Barnett, Dearing, Frazier, Simmons (12th), Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY "BRAVES" FOOTBALL TEAM AND "COACH OF THE YEAR" FRED MCNAIR FOR WINNING THE 2018 SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH WAS THE 16TH CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
WHEREAS, down by one and headed into the fourth quarter, the Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team scored the final 10 points of the game to win the 2018 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship 37-28 over Southern University Baton Rouge on December 1, 2018, at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium; and
WHEREAS, the go-ahead score was a 41-yard field goal by Junior Corey McCullough with 11:31 left. The Braves (9-3, 6-1 SWAC) put the game away with a 14-yard touchdown run by Junior De'Shawn Waller with 3:47 remaining. Junior Quarterback Noah Johnson, the 2018 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, was named the 2018 SWAC Championship Offensive MVP. He threw for 135 yards on 18-of-25 passing, and rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars (7-4, 6-1 SWAC); and
WHEREAS, the SWAC Championship Defensive MVP was presented to Junior Brelion Hollis. He led the Braves with seven tackles, including 0.5 sacks. Alcorn sacked SU Quarterback Ladarius Skelton six times and Junior Terry Whittington had 1.5 sacks. Alcorn outgained Southern 518-347 in total offense, including 370-123 in rushing. De'Shawn Waller, the 2018 SWAC Newcomer of the Year, ran for a game-high 177 yards and three touchdowns, including an 83-yard score. Noah Johnson connected with eight different receivers in the air. Senior Dayall Harris hauled in a team-high six receptions for 50 yards. Back on defense, Junior Javen Morrison grabbed an interception and returned it 38 yards. Sophomore Qwynnterrio Cole tied for a team-high seven tackles and also had a pair of pass break-ups. Both Morrison and Cole were All-Conference First-Team Honorees; and
WHEREAS, with this victory, the Braves reached the following landmarks:
· The Braves won their 16th Conference Championship in school history and the third in the last five years;
· Alcorn became the first-ever host institution for the SWAC Championship and also the first-ever school to play in five consecutive SWAC title games;
· The Braves have defeated Southern in six of the last seven meetings, including the 2014 SWAC Championship where Alcorn won 38-24. The Braves swept the season series after spoiling Southern's Homecoming 20-3. Alcorn improved to 38-27-2 all-time against the Jaguars;
· Alcorn entered the game leading the FCS in both sacks per game (4.09) and tackles for a loss per game (9.2). The Braves will improve their tallies with 6.0 sacks and 10.0 tackles for a loss;
· The Braves improved to 13-0 when leading at halftime over the last two seasons;
· Alcorn improved to 5-1 at home this year and 79-53 all-time at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium;
· The Braves led the league with 12 All-Conference selections, including 10 on the First-Team. It was the most First-Team Honorees for Alcorn since 1977;
· Alcorn entered the game leading the league in total offense (471.3) and rushing (274.3 ypg). The Braves submitted 518 total yards and 370 rushing;
· Noah Johnson, a finalist for the Walter Payton Award which goes to the best player in FCS, moved up to No. 9 All-Time at Alcorn in career passing with 3,980 yards. He passed Tim Buckley who threw for 3,963 yards from 2006-2009;
· Waller rushed for at least 100 yards in six of the last seven games. His three touchdowns were a career-high. Waller's 83-yard touchdown rush was the second-longest in SWAC Championship history, only behind an 84-yard run by former Alcorn standout Darryan Ragsdale;
· Morrison's interception was his fourth of the year and 10th in his career. He led Alcorn in interceptions three years in a row;
· Harris caught six balls which marked a career-high. It topped his previous high of five receptions at New Mexico State; and
WHEREAS, "Coming into this ball game, it was what we thought it was going to be, a tough ball game. I can't say enough about this whole group we have here at Alcorn and the way we played this game. This is the way this senior class wanted to go out. They got a chance to make history on their own grass," said Coach McNair; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 SWAC Champion Alcorn State University football program was well-represented on the HBCU All-America Team with six selections, announced by BOXTOROW. The Honorees from Alcorn's offensive line were Senior Chris McCrea and Juniors Kevin Hall and Mustaffa Ibrahim. Also, on the offensive team was Junior De'Shawn Waller, the SWAC Newcomer of the Year. On defense, Junior Terry Whittington and Sophomore Qwynnterrio Cole solidified spots on the All-America Team. Both were named to the All-Conference First-Team. In addition to the six selections Junior Quarterback Noah Johnson and Junior Linebacker Solomon Muhammad were tabbed Honorable Mentions. The Alcorn offensive line has helped the Braves lead the SWAC in total offense (475.2 ypg), scoring (33.5 ppg), rushing (282.3 ypd), first downs per game (23.4) and time of possession (33:06). McCrea, Hall and Ibrahim were all named to the All-Conference First-Team; and
WHEREAS, the postseason ended in disappointment at the Celebration Bowl on December 15, 2018, where North Carolina A&T defeated Alcorn State 24-22. 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 a few plays short of pulling off the upset; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team Roster is: Daylon Burks, DB; Felix Harper, QB; De'Shawn Waller, RB; P.J. Simmons, RB; Charles Hughes, WR; Tavares Johnson, WR; Tim McNair, Jr., WR; Nigel Wood, TE; Dayall Harris, WR; Chris Blair, WR; Thaddeus Peyton, QB; Noah Johnson, QB; Calvontay Key, DB; Keyron Kinsler, Jr., DB; Juan Anthony, Jr., WR; Jyron Russell, QB; Leishaun Ealey, DB; Corey McCullough, K; Treon Patrick, DB; Allen Bruce, DB; Alonzo Nelson, DB; Taurence Wilson, DB; Marquise Forman, RB; Jonathon Bolton, RB; Isiah Thomas, DB; Quintin Smith, DB; Daniel Franklin, DB; Brady Smith, DB; Johnathon Hauer, WR; Jaaron Jackson, DE; Makenzie Black, LB; Qwynnterrio Cole, DB; Josias Jean, P; Alvin Wilson, LB; Nichel Herron, LB; Roberto Aguirre, K; Terry Whittington, DL; Creo Argue, Jr., DE; Draylon McDonald, DB; Trae Ferrell, LB; Jalen Thomas, DB; Daimen Anderson, LB; Kevon Marsh, RB; Bralon Robinson, WR; Javen Morrison, DB; Matthew Stewart, LS; Trey Turner, RB; Brelion Hollis, LB; Solomon Muhammad, LB; James Claiborne, LB; Darrell Henderson, DL; Kwanzi Jackson, DL; Wanya Morris, OL; Sterling Shippy, DL; Michael Ajumobi, OL; Malik Holbert, LB; Daquan Smith, DB; Theron Bonds, DE; Chris Monroe, DL; Kevin Hall, OL; Pablo Williams, Jr., OL; Franklin Smith, OL; Joshua Brown, OL; Jemar Nunley, OL; Deonte Brooks, OL; Aurelius Hardy, LB; Darius Smith, OL; Will Ready, OL; Chris McCrea, OL; Columbus Willis, OL; Darius Davis, OL; Mustaffa Ibrahim, OL; Joseph Milburn, OL; William Gordon, OL; Delshun Bradwell, OL; Hakeim Warren, WR; Raidarious Anderson, WR; LeCharles Pringle, WR; Corbin Johnson, WR; Jerimiah Green, TE; Andre Martin, WR; Kyontez Everett, TE; Brandon Campbell, TE; Demetrius Lewis, TE; Jaquaveon Boles, TE; Blake Thomas, DE; Myshawn Smith, DL; Kenneth Hagans, DL; Derrian Meminger, DL; Matt Davis, DL; Dejon Richardson, WR; Keegan Hudson, DL; and Cornell Gilmore, DL; Head Coach Fred McNair; Cedric Thornton, Defensive Coordinator; Ryan Stanchek, Offensive Coordinator; Elliott Wratten, Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator; 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, Graduate Assistant; Stephon Parker, Jr., Student Assistant; Trevonte Chambliss, Student Assistant; Matthew Brown, Student Assistant; and Ronald Williams, Video Coordinator; 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 the 2018 SWAC Championship, which was the 16th 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 Interim President Dr. Donzell Lee and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.