A blocked punt recovered for a touchdown by Alcorn State’s Antonio DeJarbett brought the Braves within two touchdowns with 8:46 left in the third quarter. Prairie View would kill the rally cry from Alcorn as the Panthers’ would respond with a Donald Babers’ touchdown run and a Brandon Bell TD catch from KJ Black. The 34-14 Panther victory would wrap up the first-ever SWAC Western Division title and a berth in the SWAC Football Championship game. Prairie View would improve their record to 7-1, 6-0 as Alcorn State record would fall to 2-6, 2-4 on the season.
Prairie View A&M traveled to Lorman, Miss., Saturday afternoon to battle Alcorn State University at Jack Spinks Stadium, but the Panthers didn’t leave much imagination for who was going to win this match-up. KJ Black had another efficient game, completing 24 of 30 for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Black has been on fire since being inserted into the starting line up in the second game of the season against New Mexico State.
The Panthers would open up the game with 21-unanswered points, and steady dos of senior tight-end Marlon Allen who had a career day. Allen would bring in two touchdowns on five receptions for 44 yards. Bell would also get into the act with his third touchdown reception of the season. Prairie View would also control the ground game as Donald Babers rushed for 134-yards and a score, going over 100-yards again for the third game in a row, and the fourth time this season.
In a losing effort, Alcorn State quarterback Tim Buckley threw for one touchdown and 270 yards, yielding two interceptions in the process. Buckley and running back Arnold Walker combined for a total of 99 rushing yards. Playing from behind the entire game, wide receiver Edward Johnson racked up 141 yards on eight receptions. The Panthers dominated the Braves from start to finish, recording their seventh win on this historic season.
Prairie View is set to play their last home game of the season at Blackshear stadium against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and then it’s off to the SWAC Championship game in Birmingham on Dec. 12.