LORMAN, Miss. -- A tough season-opening opponent for Miles did not provide the Golden Bears much room for error when they began the 2017 season with a road contest at Alcorn State.

Despite three long touchdown plays, including one from the defense, Miles could not overcome four turnovers and a defense that allowed nearly 600 yards of total offense as the Braves took a 50-21 win over the Golden Bears Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium. Justin Hardy rushed for 115 yards and Austin Stephens had a game-high 12 tackles to pace the Miles (0-1) effort.

After falling behind by two touchdown, Hardy ran through the right side of the line and took off for an 83-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 14-7 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. That seemed to jump start the defense as Stephens picked off an Alcorn pass deep in Miles territory and brought the ball near midfield as the opening period ended. The offense, though, struggled to move the ball for most of the half and could not capitalize. Meanwhile, the Braves continued to chip away, getting a field goal and another touchdown, which came with four second left in the half, to give them a 24-7 advantage after 30 minutes.

The defense came up big again to start the third quarter. Freshman linebacker N'Ktavious Floyd picked off another Alcorn State pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in the second half to trim the deficit to 24-14. It continued a run started last year by the Golden Bears defense, which finished second in Division II with seven touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Alcorn State had an immediate answer. On its next play from scrimmage, De'LAnce turner got free for an 88-yard touchdown run that immediately squashed any thoughts of a Golden Bears resurgence in the second half. Quarterback Li'Jon Cordier (6-of-12, 82 yards) did connect with Leonard Tyree on a 47-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to bring the margin to 40-21. But on the ensuing possession, P.J. Simmons scored on a 64-yard run for the Braves to put the final nail in the coffin.

Anthony Hardy (game-high six solo tackles, eight total tackles, forced fumble), Ozzie Williams, Jr. (six tackles), Jawaski Randle (five tackles - four solo, one tackle for loss) and Michael White (four tackles, one sack) gave solid efforts for the Golden Bears, who travel to take on West Georgia on Sept. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.