LORMAN, Miss. – A potential-game winning pass from Alcorn State quarterback Timothy Buckley went over the head of tight end Channin Pugh, allowing Southeastern Louisiana to hold off a late Brave rally and earn a 34-28 victory in the 2008 season opener for both teams Saturday evening at Jack Spinks Stadium.

The win was the first on the road for the Lions (1-0) since Nov. 19, 2005. Southeastern last won away from Hammond in the 2005 season finale, defeating Mississippi Valley State, 38-21. Alcorn State fell to 0-1 in their first game under new head coach Ernest Jones.

After both teams were scoreless in the third quarter and remained tied at 21, the Lions took control with the first two plays of the final period. Southeastern (1-0) took a 27-21 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, as backup quarterback Mike Neville hit Andre Cryer with a 52-yard bomb to break a 21-21 tie. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Quinten Pierre forced a fumble by Davaris Pilcher and Tommy Connors recovered the loose ball and returned it 14 yards for a 34-21 lead.

Alcorn State answered with an eight yard touchdown pass from Buckley to Antonio Dejarnett with 4:13 remaining to cut the lead to 34-28. After forcing Southeastern to punt, Alcorn State took over at their own 34 with 2:09 left to play and two timeouts. A 24-yard scramble by Buckley and a late hit penalty on Southeastern quickly gave Alcorn State a first down at the Southeastern 29 with 1:44 to play.

After stopping the Braves on the opening drive of the half, the Lions drove to the Alcorn 9, with an 18-yard pass from Mike Neville to Jay Lucas being the key play. However, a Neville pass later in the drive bounced off Yarborough's hands into the hands of Lee Robinson, who returned the interception to the Southeastern 32, before being run down my Neville.

Southeastern's defense stiffened and forced ASU into a field goal attempt, which was blocked by Brian Reynolds, keeping the game tied at 21. The majority of the scoring took place in the first half, as Southeastern junior quarterback Brian Babin threw three touchdown passes – two to newcomer Chris Wilson – and the teams went into the break tied at 21. Alcorn State took the early lead four minutes into the game. A 23-yard run on a quarterback draw by Buckley capped the scoring drive on the Braves' opening drive.

Southeastern answered two minutes later. Babin found Wilson on a deep go route, knotting the score with a 70-yard touchdown reception. Alcorn State answered with a 36-yard run by Pilcher on the third play of the drive. Southeastern closed out a high-scoring first quarter with a 14-yard pass from Babin to freshman Simmie Yarbrough to knot the score at 14-14. Both defenses stiffened throughout the second quarter.

With 2:30 left in the opening half, Connors picked off a Buckley pass, forcing the game's first turnover and returning it 21 yards to the Alcorn State 39-yard line. One play later, Babin found Wilson for a 34-yard touchdown pass to give the Lions a 21-14 lead. Alcorn State answered quickly in the final minute of the second quarter.

Buckley hit Arceneaux at the Southeastern 30-yard line and he juked two Southeastern defenders on the way to a 56-yard score with 46 seconds left in the half. On the final play of the half, Babin took a violent hit from Idty Etienne and did not return after suffering a concussion.

Southeastern is scheduled to return to action next Saturday, facing Mississippi State at 6 p.m. in Starkville, Miss.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Southeastern La. 14 7 0 13 - 34 (1-0)
Alcorn State 14 7 0 7 – 28 (0-1)
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter ASU – Buckley 23 run (Armstrong kick), 11:00
SLU – Wilson 70 pass from Babin (Turner kick) 8:48
ASU – Pitcher 36 run (Richardson kick) 7:56
SLU – Yarbrough 14 pass from Babin (Turner kick) 0:56

2nd Quarter
SLU – Wilson 34 pass from Babin (Turner kick) 2:11
ASU – Arceneaux 56 pass from Buckley (Richardson kick)

4th Quarter
SLU – Cryer 46 pass from Neville (Turner kick) 14:48
SLU – Connors 14 fumble return (Turner kick) 14:34
ASU – Dejarnette 8 pass from Buckley (Richardson kick) 4:13

A – 8,000