LORMAN &8212; Defense and special teams were the difference between winning and losing Saturday for the Braves, who defeated Southern University 26-10 in front of a packed home crowd.

&8220;Special teams is the catalyst of our football team,&8221; coach Johnny Thomas said. &8220;I coach that unit and we try to use special teams to control the game and also set up our offensive and defensive units.&8221;

The first half was marked by physical play as both teams used their power running games to keep the number of possessions at a minimum.

Trailing 10-3 with just over one minute to play in the first half, Alcorn&8217;s Nate Hughes returned a kickoff 54 yards to set up the Braves game-tying drive.

Vernardus Cooper, who led the Braves with 85 yards rushing on 20 carries, capped the drive on a 4-yd draw play with just 17 seconds left to play in the first half.

At halftime, Coach Thomas said he challenged the defense to step up their play and they responded.

&8220;We offered the defense a challenge at halftime, and that was not to let Southern score, which they didn&8217;t,&8221; Thomas said. &8220;We told them to play for our seniors, since it was the last home game of those guys&8217; careers. It has been a difficult three years for a lot of those guys, and we want to send them off with a winning season and on a positive note. Our defense accepted the challenge.&8221;

The Brave defense went on to force five second-half turnovers including two defensive touchdowns to spark the come from behind win.

Cornerback Deshaun Lewis had two interceptions in the second including one he returned 65 yards for a touchdown, that put Alcorn up 17-10 late in the third quarter.

Defensive end Martin Jackson forced two fumbles and recovered another which he returned four yards for the Braves second defensive touchdown of the game and put Alcorn up 26-10.

Braves&8217; quarterback Chris Walker didn&8217;t have a game that showed up big statistically but Thomas was more than pleased with how well the junior signal caller filled in for injured starter Tony Hobson Jr.

&8220;Chris Walker has a greater work ethic, than probably any of you could ever realize,&8221; Thomas said. &8220;There is something about just working hard that wills you to success.&8221;

With the win Alcorn moves to 4-3 on the season and 3-2 in SWAC play.

Next week Alcorn is off, before traveling to play Mississippi Valley Nov. 4 at 2 p.m.