ATLANTA – Dawonya Tucker rushed for a career-high 267 yards and a touchdown in Prairie View A&M’s 40-24 win over North Carolina Central in the 14th MEAC-SWAC Challenge at Georgia State Stadium.
The Panthers (1-1) jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead, withstood a determined NCCU comeback, and then pulled away late for the victory. Prairie View A&M joins Southern as the only SWAC teams to win the Challenge.
Jalen Morton ran for a 14-yard touchdown on the opening drive, then threw 15 yards to Markcus Hardy for a score on the second possession for an early 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.
Caleb Broach’s 15-yard scoring run just before the quarter ended gave PVAMU the big early lead.
As the Panthers were limited to field goals in the second and third periods, North Carolina Central cut the lead two points on two different occasions, the last time at 26-24 with just over 11 minutes remaining.
Prairie View A&M never lost the lead and sealed the win with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. An 82-yard, seven play drive ended with the second Morton-to-Hardy TD connection, this time from 20 yards out for a 33-24 lead with just under nine minutes to play.
Ju’Anthony Parker’s interception and 16-yard return to midfield set up Tucker’s 50-yard touchdown run with just over six minutes remaining for the final margin.
The Panthers return to action Saturday in a 6 p.m. game at Sam Houston State.
Courtesy: PVAMU Athletics
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