LORMAN — If the Alcorn State Braves are going to end a four-game losing streak, they are going to have to kick the bugaboo that has haunted them the entire season — turnovers.

The Braves have turned the ball over a total of eight times in their last three games, all conference losses which dropped their record to 2-3 in the SWAC.

And Alcorn head coach Earnest Collins knows eliminating the mistakes will be a big key as his team hosts Southern University (2-5, 1-4 SWAC) at 2 p.m. Saturday.

“We have got to cut down on our turnovers if we want to beat our old nemesis,” Collins said. “We’ve turned the ball over way too much.”

Alcorn State freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge has seven interceptions in his last three games, including three interceptions last Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff that led to 17 Golden Lions points in a 39-35 loss.

While Bridge has thrown his share of interceptions this season, he has also dazzled Alcorn fans with his athletic ability and was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week following the Pine Bluff game in which he threw for 271 yards and to touchdowns, and also rushed for 142 yards and two more scores.

“He has a lot of intangibles and will get better as he hones his skills,” Collins said of his quarterback. “We will win a lot of games with him here, and I hope it starts this week.”

Bridge and the Braves have a chance to light up the scoreboard on Saturday, as the Jaguar defense is giving up an average of 33 points per game.

After opening the season with a 37-27 win over Delaware State, Southern has lost five of six games, with its only win being a 38-20 victory over a winless Mississippi Valley State team.

The Jaguars have allowed at least 30 points in each of their losses.

But even though the Southern defense has struggled this season, Collins said his team can’t overlook them.

“They are very aggressive and play that attacking style of defense,” Collins said. “They love to blitz and put pressure on the quarterback. They will be putting people in the box to stop us.”

Alcorn’s defense will also be asked to step up and stop the run, which is something they’ve struggled with in recent weeks.

“We have got to stop the run, first, in order to beat Southern,” Collins said. “They have a very agile quarterback in Jeremiah McGinty as well. He can throw it out of the pocket so we have got to keep pressure on him.”

Saturday is the team’s final game at Jack Spinks Stadium this season, and Collins hopes the players will feed off the emotion of senior day.

“We haven’t won a senior day game since I’ve been here, and it would be great for them to leave here on a winning note,” Collins said. “This being their last game in Jack Spinks Stadium, I’m sure they want it to be a pleasant one.”