Prairie View A&M University (4-5, 2-5 SWAC) came away with an impressive 27-9 victory over Jackson State University (2-8, 2-6 SWAC) on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Blackshear Field. After defeating Arkansas Pine-Bluff the previous weekend, this game marks the first time that Prairie View has won back-to-back conference games since 1971. Another streak that fell by the wayside was the string of victories for Jackson State over Prairie View. The last PVAMU win over the JSU was a 14-12 victory in 1971 under former head coach Jim Hillyer.Jackson State got the scoring started when quarterback Kethonne McLaurin found receiver Byron Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown pass at the 10:57 mark of the first quarter. The ensuing extra point attempt failed. JSU kicker Ashcher Ashley booted a 39-yard field goal to increase the Tigers’ lead to 9-0 with 2:07 left to play in the first quarter.
At the 9:14 mark of the second quarter, sophomore cornerback Riante Jones blocked a Jackson State punt that sophomore safety Paul Johnson returned 25 yards for a touchdown. With 3:22 left in the half, Prairie View senior quarterback Michael Hill found senior tight end Anthony Gibson for a five-yard touchdown pass to give Prairie View a 14-9 lead going into the half.
At the 3:19 mark of the third quarter, sophomore running back Arnell Fontenot bulldozed two yards into the end zone for another Panther touchdown. Fontenot added his second touchdown in the fourth quarter with 7:16 remaining to secure the Panthers’ victory.
“This game was great for our kids and it was great for them to get this win on national television,” said PVAMU head coach Henry Frazier III.
“We haven’t beaten Jackson State in a very long time, so it’s good to get this monkey off of our back.”
Leading the Panthers on the ground was Fontenot, who rushed for 76 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns. Hill paced the Panthers through the air on 6-of-12 passing for 39 yards and one touchdown.
The Panthers return to the field on Saturday, Nov. 19 to take on the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University. The game will take place at Blackshear Field on the campus of Prairie View with kickoff set for 6 p.m. before a live televised audience on ESPNU.