Alcorn State football quarterback Jaylon Tolbert has had two vastly different performances in his team’s first two games.
In the Braves’ 56-7 win over Division II Miles in Week 0, Tolbert threw for 265 yards and five touchdowns on 25-for-28 passing with no interceptions.
In Week 1 against FBS opponent Southern Miss, he was 15-for-22 passing for 119 yards and four interceptions in a 49-3 loss. He and backup quarterback Bryan Wilson were responsible for all five of the team's turnovers.
“We didn't play well from a turnover perspective," coach Cedric Thomas said on the SWAC media session on Sept. 8. "One of the first games I've been a part of (with) five turnovers and all of them came from one position, which was the quarterback position. We know
Jaylon will get that fixed."
Tolbert's opportunity for a bounce-back performance will come against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1) in the Southern Heritage Classic at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis on Sept. 12 (6 p.m. CT, HBCUGO).
In last season’s Southern Heritage Classic, Tolbert completed 15 of 28 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception but Alcorn State lost 24-20.
Thomas believes Tolbert’s poor decision-making in Week 1 was a result of his senior quarterback opting for the big play too often instead of going for the smaller gains and targeting his checkdown option when needed.
“Just needs to settle himself down,” Thomas said. “He’s just got to stick within the offense. A lot of times, we get caught up in the hype. … We don’t have to make the splash play. We’ve got a really good football team, sound at a lot of positions. … He ain’t got to press it and feel like he got all the weight on his shoulder to carry his ball club.
Even though Thomas wasn’t pleased with Tolbert’s turnovers against Southern Miss, he complimented his ability to extend plays in the pocket, noting that the Braves didn’t allow a sack when Tolbert was in the game.
In two games Tolbert has 31 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries and has only been sacked once. Tolbert’s running capabilities could come in handy against a UAPB front seven that Thomas referred to as “stingy.”
“He moves the needle when he can run the football and create those extra possessions with his legs,” Thomas said of Tolbert on the Cedric Thomas Show on Sept. 7. “And so, it’ll be a lot more (chances) for him to be able to do it. The main thing now is just focus on the system, get the ball to the right people and continue to lead us.”
The Braves’ game against UAPB will give them and Tolbert a chance to measure up against more equal competition. Not only will it be Alcorn State’s first game against an FCS opponent, but it will also be the team’s SWAC opener.
“It’s conference, so we treat it like a playoff mentality,” Thomas said. “… First conference game in Memphis, we’ve got to be sound. I think it’ll tell us a lot as far as the mentality of this ball club and understanding if we do things right, the percentage of us winning goes higher.”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Alcorn State QB Jaylon Tolbert can bounce back in Southern Heritage Classic
