The Prairie View A&M University Panthers (1-2, 0-2) and Grambling State University Tigers (2-1, 2-0) entered the Southwest State Fair Classic with several things in common. Both teams easily won their season openers and entered the game coming off blowout losses. The Panthers and Tigers also entered the game with identical 1-1 records. Unfortunately upon completion of the game that’s where the similarities between Prairie View and Grambling State stop.In the first quarter both teams failed to produce any points on their opening possessions. The Tigers committed a costly mistake on their opening drive fumbling the ball in the red zone with the Panthers recovering, while Prairie View was forced to punt the ball away on their opening stanza.
On Grambling State’s second possession, senior quarterback Bruce Eugene threw his first touchdown pass of the game to Moses Harris. Eugene threw another touchdown pass to Clyde Edwards 34 seconds before the end of the first quarter to increase their lead to 14-0.
Grambling State took a 21-0 advantage on a touchdown pass from Eugene to Henry Tolbert at the 5:12 mark that brought the score to 21-0. Prairie View countered at the 1:05 mark of the second quarter scoring their first and only touchdown of the evening. Sophomore running back Arnell Fontenot took the ball to the end zone for a four-yard touchdown run. The scoring drive was set up by sophomore Riante Jones’ blocked punt, giving PVAMU the ball at the GSU four-yard line.
At the end of the half Grambling State led Prairie View 24-7 after connecting on a 44-yard Shawn Millson field goal attempt as time expired.
In the third quarter, Prairie View’s ninth ranked SWAC defense held Grambling State to six points while the Tigers defense held Prairie View’s offense scoreless.
The fourth quarter saw Eugene put on his best performance, throwing three of his seven touchdown passes. His first TD was a 56-yard pass to George Piggott, his second, which broke Doug Williams’ school record of 94 touchdowns, was a 35-yard pass to Henry Tolbert and his last, which would be his longest TD pass of the night, was a 74-yard toss to Edwards.
Eugene finished the game with 618 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Tolbert led the Tigers receiving core with 175 yards and two touchdowns.
“Bruce Eugene is an extremely good quarterback. I put him in the same category as Doug Williams and Steve McNair,” said Prairie View head coach Henry Frazier. “He’s a tremendous athlete and he put together an outstanding performance tonight.”
Fullback Kerry Wilson led the Panthers with 68 yards rushing while fellow teammate Fontenot chipped in 51 yards on the ground.
The Tigers defense held Panther quarterback Michael Hill to 38 yards on 6-of-13 passing attempts. Back-up quarterback Chris Gibson, who entered the game in the fourth quarter, threw for 33 yards going 2-for-9.
“Our defense played well and our secondary unit played outstanding,” said Grambling State head coach Melvin Spears. “The game was a dog fight all the way until the end. Prairie View is a much improved team, we need to take this win in stride and continue to improve.”
Prairie View’s top ranked rushing defense held Grambling State to only 51 yards on the ground on 22 carries.
“We won’t be losing many athletes at the end of this season,” said Frazier. “Our team will be bigger, stronger, and faster next season as well as being more experienced. Hopefully, we can give them a better game next year.