What Is 2018 Alcorn State football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Alcorn State football team represented Alcorn State University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and 4–4 in SWAC play under head coach Fred McNair. The team played its home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi.

Key Facts

2018 Alcorn State football team finished with a 5–6 overall record
Team went 4–4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play
Head coach Fred McNair was in his second season leading the program
Home games were played at Casem-Spinks Stadium in Lorman, MS
Quarterback John Gibbs III started all 11 games at quarterback

Overview

The 2018 Alcorn State football team represented Alcorn State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2018 season. Competing as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the team was led by head coach Fred McNair, who was in his second year at the helm after taking over following the retirement of Hall of Famer Steve McNair’s brother, Alcorn legend Marino Casem.

Alcorn State struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. Despite falling short of postseason eligibility, the team showcased resilience, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, where quarterback John Gibbs III emerged as a key leader.

Record: The team finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in SWAC play, missing postseason qualification by one win.
Head Coach: Fred McNair entered his second season as head coach in 2018, continuing the rebuilding phase after the departure of long-time program leaders.
Home Stadium: Alcorn State played all home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium, a 22,500-seat venue located on campus in Lorman, Mississippi.
Quarterback: John Gibbs III started all 11 games at quarterback, throwing for 1,814 yards and 12 touchdowns with 7 interceptions.
Rivalry Game: The team lost the 2018 SWAC East Division rivalry game against Jackson State, 21–19, in a tightly contested matchup.

How It Works

The 2018 Alcorn State football season operated within the structure of NCAA Division I FCS rules and the SWAC’s competitive framework, including divisional play and championship eligibility requirements.

Season Structure: The SWAC season included an 11-game schedule, with eight conference matchups and three non-conference games to start the year.
Divisional Play: Alcorn State competed in the SWAC’s East Division, facing rivals like Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, and Prairie View A&M twice.
Postseason Eligibility: Teams needed at least six wins to qualify for the SWAC Championship Game or FCS playoffs, a threshold Alcorn narrowly missed.
Recruiting Pipeline: The program relied heavily on Mississippi-based high school talent, with over 60% of the 2018 roster hailing from in-state programs.
Offensive Scheme: The Braves ran a pro-style offense emphasizing balanced rushing and passing, averaging 27.8 points per game in 2018.
Defensive Strategy: The defense utilized a 3-4 base alignment, focusing on aggressive pass rushing and zone coverage, allowing 28.5 points per game.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Alcorn State team compared to key SWAC rivals in overall and conference performance:

Team	Overall Record	SWAC Record	Points For	Points Against
Alcorn State	5–6	4–4	306 (27.8/game)	313 (28.5/game)
Jackson State	7–4	6–2	279 (27.9/game)	239 (23.9/game)
Prairie View A&M	9–3	7–1	356 (29.7/game)	217 (18.1/game)
Grambling State	5–6	5–3	243 (24.3/game)	258 (25.8/game)
Mississippi Valley State	2–9	2–6	186 (18.6/game)	392 (39.2/game)

The data shows Alcorn State ranked middle-of-the-pack in scoring and defense, outperforming only MVSU among East Division teams. Prairie View A&M dominated the conference, highlighting the competitive gap within the SWAC. Alcorn’s point differential of -7 indicated a closely contested season, with five of their six losses decided by one possession.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a transitional year for Alcorn State football, reflecting both the challenges and potential of a historically strong HBCU program adapting to modern FCS competition.

Player Development: Quarterback John Gibbs III gained valuable experience, setting the stage for a breakout 2019 season.
Recruiting Momentum: The team’s performance helped maintain interest from top-tier Mississippi prospects despite the losing record.
Coaching Evaluation: Fred McNair’s second season was seen as a rebuilding effort, with progress measured incrementally.
SWAC Relevance: Remaining competitive ensured Alcorn State stayed in the conversation for future division titles.
Historical Context: The program aimed to return to its 2014 SWAC championship form, making 2018 a step in that process.
Community Impact: Home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium continued to draw strong local support, reinforcing school pride.

While not a championship-caliber season, 2018 provided critical development time for young players and coaching staff, laying groundwork for future competitiveness in the SWAC.