LORMAN, Miss. – TSU nearly overcame a 26-point deficit but came up short in overtime as the fell 43-40 to Alcorn State on Saturday inside Spinks-Casem Stadium.

TSU would strike first on its opening drive as Miguel Arana III hit a 40-yard field goal but the Braves countered quickly with a five-play drive which saw them score on a 27-yard pass that saw a TSU defender make contact with the receiver at the point of reception but the receiver held on and raced to the endzone.

TSU's offense attempted to answer on the ensuing drive but they missed a 31-yard field goal attempt. Alcorn State converted multiple third down conversions along with a fourth-down conversion on its next drive and ultimately moved ahead 13-3 as quarterback Jaylon Tolbert threw a 14-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, TSU would claw its way back in the game as quarterback Cam'Ron McCoy found wideout Fatu Mukuba in the corner of the endzone on 3^rd-and-12 at the ASU 37. Unfortunately, the PAT was unsuccessful as TSU trailed 13-9 with 7:39 remaining in the half. However, the momentum was short-lived as Alcorn State converted a 23-yard pass on 3^rd-and-14 from its own 36. Three plays later, Tolbert broke free for a 30-yard scamper to the TSU 2 which set up a two-yard touchdown run and a 20-9 deficit after the PAT with 3:27 remaining in the half.
Mukuba would put the offense back in scoring position in a flash after a 54-yard kick return to the ASU 26. The offense couldn't get the ball in the endzone but special teams came up big as Arana nailed a 43-yard field goal with 1:49 left to trail 20-12. Once again, the Braves would counter in an instant as they marched 75 yards in nine plays as they upped the score to 27-12 after a touchdown and the ensuing PAT.

Alcorn State added another touchdown to claim a 34-12 lead midway through the third quarter which many assumed the game was coming to an early end. However, TSU would answer with a seven-play, 71-yard scoring drive which ended with McCoy finding Daveon Walker for an acrobatic 34-yard touchdown reception.

With the game now into the fourth quarter, the defense would force a punt and the offense responded as McCoy scored on a 34-yard run to narrow the gap to 34-26 after the PAT by Arana. The defense forced another punt and McCoy struck big as Walker caught a 48-yard pass to the ASU 12. Three plays later, TSU made it 34-34 after a touchdown run by McCoy and a two-point reception by Athean Renfro.

With the game tied and crowd stunned, the defense forced ASU into a pair of third and longs but ASU found ways to convert both to move into scoring range. ASU was forced to settle for a field goal and hit a 35-yarder to move ahead 37-34 with 30 seconds left.

TSU fought back once again as Mukuba ran the kickoff back 25 yards and then caught a 54-yard pass from McCoy to get into field goal range with three seconds left. Arana hit the cold-blooded field goal with no time remaining to force overtime as the score was tied at 37-all.

TSU lost the toss and had to receive the ball first in overtime. The Tigers didn't move the ball to their liking but came up big once again as Arana nailed a 48-yarder to stay alive. Alcorn State would convert a third-down conversion followed by a fourth-and-1 at the 3 to stay alive. They ultimately would end the game with a touchdown run to seal the win.

TSU finished with 482 yards of total offense while Alcorn State amassed 520. McCoy passed for 319 yards and two touchdowns while Walker caught seven passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Mukuba followed with 91 yards on two passes while McCoy added 86 yards on the ground. Donovan Jones led the way defensively with 15 tackles.

TSU steps back out of SWAC play next weekend as they'll head to Boca Raton, Fla. to face Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m.