Southwestern Athletic Conference

North Carolina A&T State 41 Alcorn State 34
Box Score

ATLANTA, Ga, - Alcorn State University became the first Southwestern Athletic Conference institution to be put on display at the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Saturday afternoon in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome against North Carolina A&T State. The 35,528 announced attendance is higher than 15 FBS bowl games last year.
 

Four first half scoring plays in the first quarter arguably proved to be the difference as the Braves fell short 41-34.

Lenorris Footman threw a 10-yard scoring pass to running back Aaron Baker in the second quarter, caught a 9-yard touchdown from wide receiver Tollette George in the third quarter, and threw an 11-yarder to George to tie it at 27-27 with 12:57 left in the game.

Braves wide receiver Brandon Vessell tied the game again when he threw a three yard scoring strike to tight end Brandon Campbell with 5:10 to go.

Two plays later, the 5-foot-6, 173-pound Cohen took off up the middle, pulling away from multiple defenders for his third score to put the Aggies ahead for good.

Alcorn State did not go quietly, but after reaching first-and-goal at the A&T 9-yard line, Footman threw four straight incompletions.

Tarik Cohen rushed for 295 yards and touchdowns of 83, 74 and 73 yards for A&T.

The Celebration Bowl MVP’s 73-yard scoring run with 4:17 left proved to be the game winner.

Alcorn State (9-4), champion of the SWAC, was led by Footman. He passed for 144 yards and two scores, rushed for 62 yards, and caught a nine yard touchdown pass as the Braves rallied from a 24-6 second-quarter deficit to tie the game twice, at 27-all and 34-all.

Khris Gardin gave A&T a quick lead on a 74-yard punt return just 1:24 into the game, and Anthony Williams returned the favor moments later with an 84-yard punt return to pull Alcorn State within 7-6.

Cohen popped scoring runs of 74 and 83 yards on the Aggies' next two possessions, and A&T pushed its lead to 24-6 when Cody Jones was good on a 45-yard field goal with 11:31 left in the first half.

Alcorn State, which beat Grambling State in the SWAC championship, rallied to tie on the strength of trick plays.

SWAC Football Championship MVP Darryan Ragsdale was held to 39 yards on 15 carries.