Venue & Game Details
Matchup: Alcorn State Braves vs. Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT
Venue: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Capacity: ~58,000
Event: Southern Heritage Classic – a premier HBCU showcase with a weekend of concerts, tailgates, and the famous Battle of the Bands
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast (Memphis, TN)
Kickoff Temperature: ~80°F (27°C)
Conditions: Partly cloudy, humid
Wind: 6–9 mph from the south
Precipitation: ~15% chance of light showers
Impact: Warm and sticky conditions; depth and conditioning could be tested late in the game.
Injury Report
Alcorn State Braves:
QB Aaron Allen – healthy, 512 passing yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs.
RB Jarveon Howard – healthy, 210 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
WR Monterio Hunt – healthy, 188 receiving yards, 1 TD.
No major injuries reported.
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions:
QB Mekhi Hagens – healthy, 498 passing yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs.
RB Kayvon Britten – healthy, 233 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
WR Tre’Jon Spiller – healthy, 165 receiving yards, 2 TDs.
No major injuries reported.
Key Player Matchups
QB Aaron Allen (Alcorn) vs. UAPB Secondary
Allen has been efficient but needs to avoid turnovers.
UAPB has allowed 250+ passing yards in two games.
RB Jarveon Howard (Alcorn) vs. UAPB Front Seven
Howard is averaging 70 ypg.
UAPB has struggled against power backs.
QB Mekhi Hagens (UAPB) vs. Alcorn Defense
Hagens is a dual-threat but turnover-prone.
Alcorn’s defense has forced 4 INTs in 3 games.
RB Kayvon Britten (UAPB) vs. Alcorn Front Seven
Britten is the Lions’ workhorse, averaging 77 ypg.
Alcorn has allowed 180+ rushing yards in two games.
Recent Team Form
Alcorn State Braves (0–3)
L 38–14 @ Southern Miss (Week 3, FBS)
L 27–17 vs. McNeese (Week 2)
L 31–10 @ Stephen F. Austin (Week 1)
Strengths: Balanced offense with Howard and Hunt.
Weaknesses: Defense allowing 32.0 ppg.
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions (1–2)
L 35–21 @ Tennessee State (Week 3)
W 24–20 vs. Mississippi Valley State (Week 2)
L 45–7 @ Tulsa (Week 1, FBS)
Strengths: Strong rushing attack with Britten.
Weaknesses: Defense giving up 33.3 ppg.
Conference vs. Conference
Both are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
This is a conference matchup and a showcase game in the Southern Heritage Classic.
Series History
All-time series: Alcorn State leads 14–4.
Last meeting (2024): Alcorn State won 31–20.
Trend: Braves have won 7 of the last 8 meetings.
Betting Trends
Alcorn State Braves:
0–3 ATS in 2025.
2–6 ATS in last 8 SWAC games.
4 of last 5 games have gone Over.
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions:
1–2 ATS in 2025.
3–7 ATS in last 10 games overall.
4 of last 6 games have gone Over.
Historical Betting Results
2024: Alcorn -7 covered in 31–20 win (Over cashed).
2023: Alcorn -10 covered in 38–14 win (Under cashed).
2022: Alcorn -6.5 covered in 24–10 win (Under cashed).
Game Odds
Alcorn State Braves – 7
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions 53
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
