ALCORN STATE, Miss – Prairie View A&M made history on Saturday afternoon with its first-ever SWAC Western Division Title and a berth in the SWAC Football Championship Game following a 34-14 victory over Alcorn State at Jack Spinks Stadium.
Prairie View claimed a 21-0 halftime lead behind the strength of two touchdown receptions from tight end Marlon Allen and a 2-yard run by Michael Jason. A blocked punt by Alcorn State’s Antonio DeJarbett pulled the Braves to within two touchdowns with 8:46 left in the third quarter but Prairie View responded with a Donald Babers’ touchdown run and a Brandon Bell touchdown catch from K.J. Black with the final stanza to seal the win.
Prairie View tallied 421 (213 P, 208 R) offensive yards to Alcorn State’s 386 (270 P, 116 R). Babers led Prairie View with 134 rushing yards on 26 carries while Black threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns on 24 of 30 passing. Free safety Chris Adingupu led the Panther defense with 11 tackles.
The Panthers return to action next weekend with their regular season finale against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Blackshear Field at 1 p.m. The 2009 SWAC Championship Game will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. against a representative from the SWAC East.
