As a senior at Mount Olive High School in 1990, Steve NcNair had numerous offers from Division I-A schools in need of a defensive back.
McNair turned them all down and opted for I-AA Alcorn, where incoming coach Cardell Jones wanted a quarterback.Four years later, the college career of the NCAA career leader in total offense and the I-AA career passing leader is almost over. And it's already brought a few tears to the eyes of one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy.
"It just hit me that this was my last (regular season) collegiate football game," McNair said after the Braves beat Jackson State 52-34 on Saturday night. "I cried before the game. I just couldn't help it. I just showed my emotion."
He told his teammates they deserved a lot of the credit for his success, then showed his appreciation by leading them to their fourth straight victory over Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Jackson State. It's the longest winning streak in the series by the Braves (8-2-1, 6-1).
McNair threw for 533 yards and five touchdowns, and had 564 yards total offense. It was McNair's fourth straight game - and sixth this season - with at least 500 yards total offense.
This season, McNair has completed 304 of 530 passes for 4,863 yards with 44 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He's also run for 936 yards and nine TDs. That's 5,799 total yards and 53 touchdowns.
"To lose a kid of that magnitude, he's going to be hard to replace," Alcorn State offensive coordinator Ricky Taylor said. "I've got to make some adjustments.
"I'll never find another one like him. He's done it week in and week out. For any doubters about his ability, they need to see him live one time and all doubts will be erased."
Jackson State (7-4, 4-3) won't miss him. The Tigers never beat the McNair-led Braves, who are 30-11-2 overall since he joined the team in 1991.
McNair will quarterback at least one more game for Alcorn, which will play at Youngstown State (10-0-1) in the first round of the I-AA playoffs Friday. SWAC teams are 0-15 in the I-AA playoffs, including Alcorn's 78-27 loss to Northeast Louisiana in 1992.
"It was a very disappointing loss two years ago," McNair said. "But I think now we have the experience we need to go in the playoffs with a positive attitude and do the things it takes to win."
Since postseason statistics don't count, the records will show McNair with 16,823 career total yards, 2,158 more than 1990 Heisman winner Ty Detmer had at Brigham Young from 1988-91. McNair also has 14,496 yards passing and 119 TDs.
"Steve has put Alcorn on the map with his Heisman Trophy campaign, plus the way he conducts himself on the field," Alcorn senior offensive guard Michael Ellis said. "With what he's been doing the last four years, you couldn't help but notice."
They have noticed. Scouts from 29 of the 30 NFL teams received credentials to attend Saturday's game.