LORMAN, Miss. (Interstat) — A dominant second-half surge by Alcorn State erased an early Southern lead and propelled the Braves to a 35-17 victory on Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium.

The Jaguars (1-9) struck first and controlled the opening quarter, but the Braves (4-6) responded with 35 unanswered points across the second and third quarters before Southern found the end zone again late.

Southern established an early advantage with a methodical opening drive. The Jaguars marched down the field, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Trey Holly with 5:14 remaining in the first quarter. The score capped a 15-play, 87-yard drive that consumed nearly half of the opening period.

Alcorn State’s offense, which sputtered early, exploded in the second quarter to seize control. The Braves tied the game with two quick touchdowns. The first came on a 1-yard run by offensive lineman Cameran Rogers, a rare score for the 330-pound player from Theodore, Alabama, at the 9:04 mark. Just under five minutes later, Jarvis Rush swept into the end zone on a 4-yard run to give Alcorn State its first lead.

Southern managed to trim the deficit just before halftime, as Nathan Zimmer connected on a 42-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending the teams to the locker room with Alcorn State leading 14-10.

Any momentum the Jaguars carried into the break was swiftly extinguished in the third quarter. The Braves scored 21 points in the period, starting with a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jaylon Tolbert of Hollywood, Florida. Tolbert then connected with Omarion Blakes on an 18-yard touchdown pass, and later found Tylan Citizen on a 5-yard scoring pass to build an insurmountable 35-10 lead.

Southern’s final points came on a defensive play. Landon Carter of Plaquemine, Louisiana, intercepted a Tolbert pass and returned it for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

Tolbert orchestrated the Alcorn State attack, completing 12 of 22 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 41 yards and another score. The Braves’ ground game was potent, led by Reggie Davis of Montgomery, Alabama, who rushed for 110 yards on 17 carries. Carl McDonald Jr. of Natchez, Mississippi, added 43 rushing yards, and Camren Stewart of Zachary, Louisiana, contributed 37 yards.

For Southern, quarterback Ashton Strother of Memphis, Tennessee, completed 14 of 31 passes for 168 yards. His primary target was Darren Morris of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who caught five passes for 81 yards. The Jaguars’ rushing attack was held in check, with Holly managing just 13 yards on 10 carries, though he scored the team’s first touchdown.

The loss extends a difficult season for Southern, which has now lost nine of its last ten games after a season-opening win. Alcorn State, meanwhile, has won three of its last four contests.

Alcorn State is scheduled to host Grambling on Saturday, Nov. 15. Southern will also be in action that day, hosting Texas Southern.