The Labor Day Classic carries decades of history between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern, but this year’s matchup could carry something even more significant: an early grip on the SWAC West.
Both coaches understand what is at stake.
Prairie View A&M coach Tremaine Jackson sees Sunday’s game at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 as more than another rivalry matchup. With both teams entering the game looking to establish themselves in the Western Division, Jackson believes the winner will immediately put itself in position to control the division race.
“It could be for the Western Division championship,” Jackson said on Monday . “The winner is 1-0 in the West and can let everybody else fight.”
That makes the rivalry’s annual pageantry secondary to what happens between the lines.
Jackson knows the importance of the Labor Day Classic well. He has played in the game and coached in it on both sides. But as he prepares Prairie View A&M for Texas Southern, his focus remains firmly on football.
“For me, it’s always been about the game,” Jackson said.
The Panthers enter the matchup coming off a loss to a top-five FCS opponent, but Jackson believes the performance showed his team belongs on that level. Prairie View A&M produced 519 yards of offense and had opportunities to make the game even closer.
“We were right in there and we felt like that we belong there,” Jackson said. “Obviously, we hate the fact that we lost. But certainly are better.”
Now, the Panthers have another opportunity — and this one has direct conference consequences.
Jackson also knows Texas Southern will be motivated. Prairie View A&M defeated the Tigers last season, giving Texas Southern another reason to approach Sunday’s game with urgency.
“They’re going to come with vengeance,” Jackson said. “We have vengeance because we’re not where we want to be.”
Tigers beaming with confidence heading Labor Day Classic
Texas Southern enters the matchup with confidence after rallying from a 24-14 halftime deficit to defeat North Carolina Central 42-30. The Tigers rushed for 277 yards, a performance that fits coach Cris Dishman’s preferred formula for winning football.
“I believe in running the football and defensive minded person,” Dishman said. “But if you run the football, play good defense on third down, win the penalty battle, you should win a lot of games.”
Dishman will look for that formula to continue against Prairie View A&M.
The Tigers also showed their ability to respond under pressure. After trailing by 10 points at halftime, Dishman said his players took control of the locker room, with the offense encouraging the defense and the defense returning the favor.
His message was simple: settle down and let their ability take over.
Quarterback Cam McCoy responded with three touchdown passes, giving Texas Southern another offensive weapon as it enters the rivalry game.
But the biggest prize could be the early advantage in the SWAC West.
For both programs, the Labor Day Classic provides an opportunity to make an immediate statement in a division where one early loss can create a difficult path to the championship game.
Jackson knows Prairie View A&M cannot afford to waste opportunities.
“We had opportunities the other night,” he said. “We just missed it.”
Against Texas Southern, missing those opportunities could mean more than another loss in a heated rivalry. It could mean giving away an early advantage in the SWAC West.
That is why Jackson has challenged his team to remain focused on the task.
“The biggest opponent we got to beat is ourselves,” he said.
For Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern, Sunday’s rivalry may look like the Labor Day Classic on the outside.
