BATON ROUGE, La. – A 3-yard touchdown run by Donald Babers in the fourth quarter combined with a crucial fumble recovery by Renoldo Revuelta in the closing seconds lifted Prairie View A&M to a 16-14 nationally televised win over Southern University on Thursday evening at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
On its first play from scrimmage, Prairie View sent a message to the Jaguars as Donald Babers caught a short pass from K.J. Black and raced 49 yards down the field for a touchdown. Brady Faggard’s PAT was good for a 7-0 PVAMU lead. From that point, it was a defensive battle as both teams combined for seven punts midway through the second quarter. Southern finally broke through with 2:20 left in the half and tied the game at 7-all as quarterback Bryant Lee scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper to cap off a 10-play, 68-yard drive.
With the game tied, Prairie View kick returner Joe Fontenot returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to the PVAMU 50 and gave the offense good field position to start its next drive. Prairie View took advantage of the opportunity and managed to close out the half on a positive note as Faggard nailed a 29-yard field goal attempt with 34 seconds remaining.
After a three-and-out by the Panthers to open the second half, Southern managed to jump ahead 14-10 as they marched 98 yards in 10 plays with 8:02 left in the third quarter. Things continued to get worse for the Panthers from that point as on the ensuing drive, Black’s pass attempt to Anthony Weeden bounced off his chest and fell into the hands of SU’s Jason House. With the momentum fully on Southern’s side, the Jaguars marched all the way to the PV 16 but came up short as the Jaguars missed a 34-yard field goal at the 8:05 mark of the fourth quarter. Prairie View took advantage of the defensive stop and moved ahead 16-10 after Donald Babers capped off an 80-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The PAT was unsuccessful as the Panthers led 16-14 with 8:05 left.
Up by two and their undefeated SWAC mark on the line, the Panther defense forced SU to punt but the offense failed to run the clock out as SU forced Prairie View to punt which led to one final offensive possession. On that drive, SU’s offense managed to drive all the way to the PV 23 but Prairie View’s Chris Adingupu came up with the biggest play of the night as he stripped SU wideout Juamorris Stewart of the ball which led to a Renoldo Revuelta fumble recovery. The Panthers went into victory formation for two plays from that point and made history as they captured their first win in Baton Rouge since 1988 in addition to defeating both Southern and Grambling in the same year for the first time since 1964.
Prairie View netted 271 (165 P, 106 R) yards offensively for the evening while SU finished with 410 (285 P, 125 R) yards. Babers led the way with 111 yards on 20 attempts and two touchdowns while Black passed for 165 yards on 13 of 22 passing. Adingupu led all tacklers with 13 tackles and a forced fumble.
The Panthers return to action on Nov. 7 with a home match-up against Alabama A&M at Blackshear Field.
Yeah!!!! 1st one to comment…..I watched the game on ESPN U tonight…..all I can say is that was a great battle from start to finish….It was SWAC football at its FINEST!!!! But hats off to Coach Fraizer and his staff for bringing back the Glory Days to PVAMU….IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING…..I think William J. Nicks is turning over in his grave….but see yall in Birmingham Ala…WHO YA ROUTIN FOR!!!!!!!
That win was AWESOME last night! From a die hard fan, even through the darkest years before i even got to PV, it is so rewarding to see this team play a good brand of football while I am still living. Let’s keep it going fellas! I want to go to Birmingham and celebrate Christmas EARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO YA’ ROOTIN’ FOR!?!
I watched the WHOLE thing. Too bad Southern’s coach was such a bad sport at the end of the game and didn’t want to shake hands. Doesn’t matter we won’t see him in B’Ham anyway. Who ya rootin’ for? PVU
My last year of College Football was under Coach frazier at PV in 04. Good job coach I knew once you weeded out all the trash you could build a winning team, keep up the good work! who ya rootin 4