The Prairie View A&M University Panthers (9-1, 7-0), winners of the SWAC’s Western division, outscored the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University (7-5, 4-3) 20-10 in the 2nd half to complete their mission and become SWAC champions for the first time since 1964.
The Panthers championship belt didn’t stay around their collective waist until the final seconds ticked off the clock, as AAMU’s Thomas Harris was tackled by backup running back Michael Jason on a punt return that could have turned tragic. Jason’s tackle forced the Bulldogs to send a Hail Mary pass into the end zone with two seconds left, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
The scoring started in the first quarter after a short drive and an excellent kickoff return by Michael Benson, as Brady Faggard connected on a 39-yard field goal to put the Panthers on the board, 3-0. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs’ first possession also proved to be successful, as AAMU drove 63 yards on nine plays to take the lead mid-way through the first quarter. The SWAC’s leading rusher, Ulysses Banks, ended the first drive with a two-yard plow into the end zone to give the Bulldogs the early four-point-lead.
The scoring then stalled until KJ Black hooked up with Michael Benson on a 21 yard TD pass that capped off a 9 plays 82 yard drive with 6:46 left until intermission. The Bulldogs quickly answered with a score of their own, only using 3:53 to grab the lead back from Prairie View. AAMU’s freshman quarterback Deaunte Mason’s nine-yard-pass to Quinton Carlock put AAMU back in the lead at 14-10. The Panthers did provide some fireworks in the last two minutes of the half, but their two minute drill was stalled after Gabriel Osaze-Ediae fumbled in Alabama A&M territory.
After halftime, the Panthers came out with a renewed vengeance as they scored on drives of 10 plays 76 yards, seven plays 65 yards, and five plays 45 yards. The Bulldogs answered Donald Babers’ one-yard plunge late in the 3rd quarter with a one-yard dive from Mason to pull in front 21-17. The touchdown came following a very controversial stoppage of play for a booth review by the officials.
However, Prairie View held on to their composure and, in championship form, marched down the field in 2:02 as Black hit Ediae across the middle for a 23-yard TD pass. Faggard’s extra-point attempt was blocked. The missed opportunity never came into play, because at the conclusion of the Panthers’ next drive, Black connected with speedy Anthony Weeden for a 22-yard TD that extended the lead nine points to 30-21. Jeremy Licea added a 33-yard-field goal with a little less than four minutes left in the game, but graduate student Austin Nwokobia knocked down Mason’s last heave to earn Prairie View their first SWAC title in 40-plus years.
“It was a great football game on both sides,” said Prairie View Head Coach Henry Frazier. “We both made adjustments and we both countered. It was a chess match out there. Both teams played extremely hard, and it came down to the last play. That’s what you want in a championship game.”
Black was named the SWAC’s offensive MVP as he finished 18-of-28 for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 37 yards on 11 carries, second to Babers, who ended the game with 83 yards on 17 touches. Ediae had another 100-yard receiving game, as Black found him seven times for a total of 107 yards. Mason and Banks both ran through, over, and around the Prairie View defense as they combined for 242 yards on 38 carries. The defensive MVP was none other than All-Conference performer Quinton Spears, who tied Anthony Beck with a team-leading six tackles. Spears also had two fumble recoveries, both of which were caused by Beck.
“Ever since I got here on in January all everyone talked about was winning a championship,” said Black. “Everybody from the coaches to the team to the equipment staff talked about it and you could see it in their eyes. That really inspired me.”
Black College Champs?
Prairie View has a legitimate gripe at demanding to be called the 2009 National Black College Champions. They are 9-1 on the season and have beaten two teams (Grambling State & Alabama A&M -twice) ranked in the Sheridan Broadcasting Black College Football Poll’s top ten. Their only loss came against FBS opponent New Mexico State (21-18) in a highly competitive contest.
As of Dec. 14, the Panthers sit second in the Sheridan poll behind the South Carolina State Bulldogs (10-2), who won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and fell to Appalachian State (20-13) in the first round of the FCS playoffs. They also have beaten multiple teams ranked in the Sheridan top ten. Their first loss of the season came from in-state big brother South Carolina.
Right now, South Carolina State holds 17 first place votes, while PVAMU clings to the other 13 in the final Black College Poll. South Carolina State is sitting seventh in the Sports Network FCS Poll, with the Panthers down the list at 18.
The last time Prairie View was named the National Black College Champions was in 1964 under legendary coach William “Billy” J. Nicks.