In front of 10,000 fans at Blackshear Field, the Prairie View A&M University Panthers demolished the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in the Panthers’ homecoming game.
Quarterback KJ Black would throw for three first half touchdowns, as the defense would hold the Delta Devils to 164 yards of total offense in a route of a 38-0 shutout. “It feels good anytime that you can get a win. Homecoming only makes the win the much better,” said Black.
On the Panthers’ opening play, Black would find Gabe Osaze-Ediae for a 69-yard reception down the field to set up a 3-yard touchdown by running back Donald Babers. Babers would rush for 90 yards on 18 carries as running back Calvin Harris also got into the act with 70 yards on only 11 carries. Prairie View was also able to win the time of possession battle 35:11 to Mississippi Valley’s 24:29.
The Panthers simply dominated the Delta Devils scoring 35 points in the first half, but at times they seemed to lose focus, accumulating 135-yards of penalty yardages raising 16 flags. Players and coaches alike know that free yardage is not acceptable if they want to obtain their goal of a SWAC Championship.
“I definitely believe we have what it takes to win SWAC,” said Black. “I think we have all the components to make history,” referring to if this Prairie View team has what it takes to win the SWAC ring.
Not only did the defense pitch a shutout, but they also put some points on the board with a pick six from free safety Eric Moore.
The Panthers improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, while the Delta Devils dropped to 2-4 and 0-2.
Black said, “This team is so close it’s ridiculous. I have never seen 100 guys that would be there for one another in any circumstance and I think that’s why this team is so different from past PV teams.”
The Prairie View A&M Panthers will travel to Baton Rouge, La. to take on Southern University in televised game on Thursday night. The Panthers challenge the Jaguars at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Southern is 4-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.