ARLINGTON, Texas — The Prairie View A&M football team (2-0) relied on ferocious defense to stonewall Grambling State 17-10 in the State Fair Classic at Globe Life Park on Saturday. The game marks the third-straight win for the Panthers over Grambling, the first time since 2011-13 that has happened.
“It’s always easy to talk about the wins, but I’m extremely proud of our guys and the way we’re playing,” PVAMU Head Football Coach Eric Dooley said. “We aren’t the only team that’s had to do this, but we’ve done a good job of adapting to sudden changes and making adjustments. We’re not complete yet, but I like where we are right now. We knew coming into the season that we needed defensive guys, and fortunately, our coaches went out and got guys who can play. I commend our defense for playing hard and playing great for 60 minutes.”
How it Happened:
Following a field goal by Luis Reyes, the Panthers appeared poised to take control of the game following an interception by Reggie Stubblefield. The Panthers methodically worked the ball down the field before an impressive scamper by Kristian Mosely put them in prime position. T.J. Starks ensured the opportunity wasn’t wasted, walking in from five yards out to make it 10-0 early in the second quarter.
Also see: Prairie View wins Labor Day Classic over Texas Southern, 20-19
Turnovers stalled the offense on their next possessions, but the defense refused to allow Grambling any room to work through the first half as the Tigers struggled with the Panthers’ heavy pressure.
“We’ve got to protect the football going forward,” Dooley said. “We’ve done some good things offensively, but we can’t continue to put or defense in situations where they have to keep going back on the field because sooner or later, we will suffer. We’ve got to finish drives, and we understand that but this is a team game, and we are playing as a team right now.”
Grambling State opened the third quarter with a field goal, but the Panthers fired back when Trazon Connely found Chris Johnson streaking down the left sideline for a 60-yard touchdown toss that helped push the lead to 17-3. Though the Tigers answered with a touchdown late in the quarter, that would be all for Grambling’s offense the rest of the way. The Tigers’ final drive was halted by Storey Jackson, who took down the quarterback and forced the game-sealing fumble in punctuation another standout game. Prairie View A&M recovered and ran out the clock for its third-straight State Fair Classic win.
“I’m not surprised at what Storey’s doing,” Dooley said. “I know the work he’s putting in at all phases — weight room, film room, you name it — and the best part about it is that his work ethic on the field also reflects in his academics.”
Courtesy: Prairie View A&M Athletics
