Fredrick Robertson and Caleb Anderson converted a two-point try to put Alcorn State up 53-45 in the second overtime, and after Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with a touchdown but failed on its own two-point attempt, Alcorn State held on for a 53-51 double-overtime win in the Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Arkansas-Pine Bluff fell to 1-1, while Alcorn State improved to 1-1.

Jaylon Tolbert and Alcorn State’s Passing Attack Keep Pace

Jaylon Tolbert threw for 488 yards and five touchdowns on 32 of 45 passing, and Tyree Kelly caught six passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard score in the fourth quarter. Alcorn State also got touchdown catches from Nolan Chambers, Damien Jones and Armon Wright, and Ernest Temple ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns to go with 46 net rushing yards from Fredrick Robertson.

Garrison Davis and a Wild Fourth Quarter

Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with efficiency of its own, as Garrison Davis completed just 12 of 24 passes but threw for four touchdowns, connecting with D’Avery Robinson twice, Jordan Jackson once, and Paul Summers II once. Michael Henderson swung the fourth quarter with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Za’Marion Webber added a 54-yard rushing touchdown, but Alcorn State answered both scores to tie the game at 38 with less than four minutes left in regulation, setting up overtime.

Alcorn State Escapes in Double Overtime

Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime to remain tied at 45, sending the game to a second extra period. Temple’s 2-yard touchdown run and the Robertson-to-Anderson two-point conversion put Alcorn State up 53-45, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff had a response ready when Jaylen Jennings ran 18 yards for a touchdown. But the Bulldogs’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving them a possession short and sealing Alcorn State’s 53-51 win.

Track both teams and every other HBCU program for the rest of the way on our 2026 football season dashboard.