ATLANTA, Ga - Despite a valiant effort in which the Alcorn State University Braves overcame a 14 point deficit in the second half, the North Carolina* A&T Aggies were able to defeat the Braves 41-34 in the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.The Aggies struck first on a 74-yard punt return by Khris Garden that put them up 7-0. The Braves would respond quickly when Anthony Williams Jr. took in an 84-yard punt return to put the Braves on the board. A few possessions later, Tarik Cohen weaved through the Braves' defense for a 74-yard sprint to the end zone, putting the Aggies up 14-6 in the first quarter. Cohen would score another touchdown on an 83-yard dash to add to their lead.In the second quarter, Cory Jones' 45-yard field goal soared through the goal post and gave the Aggies a 24-6 lead. Later in the quarter, Williams intercepted a Kylil Carter pass and returned it 23 yards, which led to a 10-yard LENORRIS FOOTMAN touchdown pass to ARRON BAKER to make the score 24-13 going into the second half.After another successful Aggies field goal attempt from 43 yards at the beginning of the third quarter, the Braves would score on a 9-yard trick pass from TOLLETTE GEORGE to Footman to decrease the Aggies' lead to seven. The Braves special teams later ended a decent Aggies drive when WARREN GATEWOOD blocked a field goal attempt that was scooped up by Williams and return to the Braves 35 yard line.The Braves would carry their momentum into the fourth quarter. Footman's 11-yard touchdown pass to George tied the game at 27. The Aggies were able to retake the lead after Kwashaun Quick was able to score on a quarterback keeper from the 1 yard line. The Braves would get tricky again on a fake field goal attempt that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Branding Vessel to Branding Campbell to tie the game at 34. The Aggies would immediately break the tie when Cohen rushed for another 74-yard touchdown to put them back on top.Despite a good drive by the Braves, they were unable to tie the game in the remaining seconds.Alcorn State Team Notes

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