The SWAC Attack

A rapid-fire recap of SWAC action from the state of Texas

Prairie View A&M 58, Bethune-Cookman 48

Prairie View came into this matchup looking to keep pace with Southern at the top of the SWAC West standings, with both clubs entering today’s action at 3-1 in conference play. Bethune-Cookman entered today’s game with a 2-2 conference mark.

This one was a shootout from the opening kickoff, with the two clubs combining for 1075 total yards and 106 points in a 58-48 come-from-behind win for the Panthers. A&M trailed the entire first half and was down 18 early in the third quarter before taking over down the stretch to secure the victory. The fireworks started early, with Bethune-Cookman finding the end zone on their opening drive, which covered 75 yards on seven plays in just 1:29. Prairie View answered right back on their first possession with a seven-play, 82-yard drive that took 3:27 off the clock. A Jaden Steward 42-yard run touchdown romp capped the drive and knotted the score at seven. The Wildcats would find the endzone two more times in the first quarter to take a 21-7 lead. The Panthers would outscore Bethune-Cookman 17-14 in the second quarter to send them to the locker room at halftime trailing 35-24. Every drive in the second quarter ended in an offensive score, with all but one being a touchdown. In the first half, the Wildcats outgained Prairie View 337 to 285 yards and were on the right side of the turnover battle 1-0. The offenses didn’t slow down a lick in the second half, with the A&M outscoring Bethune-Cookman 13-7 in the third quarter to pull within five at 42-37 heading to the fourth. Prairie View would take their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a Bethune-Cookman interception that set them up in plus territory. The Panthers went 40 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown plunge by QB Trazon Connley to make it 44-42 Prairie View. The Wildcats would jump back in front on the next possession on a Que’Shaun Byrd 11-yard touchdown run with 9:05 left in the fourth quarter. Jaden Stewart’s second touchdown run of the game would put the Panthers back in front for good at 51-48. Bryce Turner would close it out for A&M with a 21-yard fumble return for a touchdown. The Panthers would outgain Bethune-Cookman 561-514 yards and end up on the right side of the turnover battle 3-1. The Prairie View offensive assault was led by QB Trazon Connley who was 18 of 24 for 221 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT through the air and added another 133 yards and four touchdowns on 24 rushes. RB Jaden Stewart chipped in with 21 carries for 140 yards and a pair of scores.

With the victory, the Panthers improve to 4-1 in the SWAC and take the top spot in the West division standings thanks to a Jackson St. loss.

Up Next: (Fri.) vs. Alcorn St.

Texas Southern 37, Lincoln (CA) 2

Texas Southern took a break from conference play, welcoming Lincoln to the Alexander Durley Sports Complex. The Tigers dominated this one in just about every way, shutting out the Oaklanders’ offense on their way to a 37-2 victory. Lincoln’s only points on the afternoon came on a first-quarter safety. TSU outgained the Oaklanders 374-233 yards. QB Andrew Body had another strong outing for Texas Southern passing for 177 yards and 2 TD, and 0 INT. RB LaDarius Owens added 81 yards on the ground in just 11 carries.

Up Next: vs. Jackson St.