Panthers Defense Leads The Way to a 34-14 Victory

HOUSTON, Texas – The Prairie View A&M Panthers used a dominating defensive effort and a strong rushing attack to steamroll the Texas Southern Tigers in the 24th Annual State Farm Labor Day Classic played at Reliant Stadium.

The Tigers offense was stifled by the Panthers aggressive play right out of the gate as TSU turned the ball over on an interception on the first play of the game. A botched trick play led to a Jamail Lavan pick which set-up the Panthers first score of the evening. PVAMU scored on their first offensive play from scrimmage as running back Calvin Harris found his way into the end zone from three yards out at the 14:39 mark of the first quarter. Prairie View A&M would subsequently go on to put points on the board on their next three consecutive possessions.

The Panthers offensive attack was paced by running back Donald Babers who rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns. PVAMU’s Mark Spivey had a productive night throwing for 121 yards and one touchdown. Spivey’s TD pass was a 51-yard strike to wide receiver Gabe Ediae at the 8:49 mark of the first quarter “Overall we’re pleased with how we played tonight,” said PVAMU’s Henry Frazier. “Whenever you’re able to hold a division one ball club to five yards rushing and 108 yards passing you have to be pleased with your teams defensive performance.”

Panther defenders caused havoc in the Tigers backfield for the entire game applying constant pressure up the middle and on the edges. TSU quarterback Bobby Reid was unable to reach his comfort zone as the Panthers used a variety of ways to apply heat defensively. Reid was on the run for the bulk of the evening as the Tigers offensive line had no answer for the Panthers pass rush. For the game Prairie View A&M amassed  349 yards of total offense (207 R, 142 P), while holding Texas Southern to just 113 yards of total offense (5 R, 108 P). The Panthers have now captured four out of the last five meetings between the two rivals dating back to 2004.

Prairie View A&M returns to the gridiron on Saturday, Sept. 6th as they hosts their home opener versus the Texas College Steers. The game has been set for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff at Blackshear Field located on the campus of Prairie View A&M University.

Game Statistics