PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – With the kickoff less than seven months away, Prairie View A&M University has announced its 2010 football schedule. The schedule, which marks the team’s first 11-game slate since 2005, is highlighted by five games in the state of Texas, two state fair appearances and the first-ever match-up versus Football Bowl Subdivision and Conference USA member Southern Mississippi.
“I’m definitely pleased we have 11 ballgames as this will be a competitive schedule with a wide variety of teams from the FBS, FCS and Division II ranks,” said head coach Henry Frazier III.
Prairie View A&M opens the 2010 campaign in Houston on Saturday, Sept. 4 versus SWAC rival Texas Southern in the 26th edition of the Labor Day Classic at a site to be determined. The Panthers have defeated their in-state foes in five of the past six meetings.
Following the Labor Day Classic, Prairie View travels to the state of Mississippi in the first of three trips next season for a match-up at Southern Mississippi of Conference USA on Sept. 11 in Hattiesburg, Miss. This will mark the second consecutive season the Panthers will face a FBS member after battling New Mexico State of the Western Athletic Conference last year.
Prairie View’s home opener at Blackshear Field is set for Sept. 18 when the Panthers host Alabama State.
The Panthers hit the road for five of their next six games beginning with the annual State Fair Classic contest against Grambling State on Sept. 25 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Prairie View made history last season with their first win over the Tigers since 1986 and will attempt to win two straight over the G-men for the first time since the 1963 and 1964 campaigns.
After the State Fair Classic, Prairie View returns to the state of Mississippi for the second time to battle Mississippi Valley State on Oct. 2 in Itta Bena, Miss. followed by a battle against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Ark. on Oct. 9.
Lincoln University returns to the schedule for the first time since the 2004 campaign as the Panthers will host the Blue Tigers for homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 16 at Blackshear Field.
Following homecoming, the Panthers travel to Shreveport, La. and Independence Stadium to square off against Southern University on Oct. 23. The match-up marks the opening of the State Fair of Louisiana and a two-year agreement by Prairie View, the State Fair of Louisiana and the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority for a game to be played in the city.
“I’m okay with playing in Shreveport as it opens up a different market for our players, fans and alumni,” said Frazier. “This is a great business move on our athletic director’s part and I’m totally behind it as we get to play in a prestigious stadium.”
Jackson State makes an appearance on the schedule for the first time since 2007 as Prairie View travels to Mississippi for the third and final time to face the Tigers on Oct. 30 in Jackson’s Memorial Stadium.
“It’s (on traveling to Mississippi three times) part of the schedule but the rides aren’t that long and we’re looking forward to going down there and try to bring home a victory,” stated Frazier.
After a bye weekend, the Panthers close out their home schedule on Nov. 13 with a match-up against Alcorn State at Blackshear Field. Prairie View’s regular season comes to a close on Nov. 20 as they travel to Huntsville, Ala. to meet Alabama A&M in a rematch of the 2009 SWAC Championship Game.
Prairie View A&M captured the 2009 SWAC Championship after posting a 9-1 record. The Panthers return an experienced team on both sides of the ball as they attempt a championship repeat for the 2010 campaign.
“On paper we look strong but we also understand that the bullseye will be on our back,” said Frazier. “Our whole focus this offseason is unity and making sure we work as hard as we can and being happy for our teammate’s success. We’re pleased with what we have returning and excited about our last few recruiting classes so I would like to think we’re going to have a very competitive football team.”
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION STADIUM TIME
Sept. 4 *vs. Texas Southern Houston, Texas TBA TBA
2010 Labor Day Classic
Sept. 11 at Southern Miss. Hattiesburg, Miss. Roberts 6 p.m.
Sept. 18 *ALABAMA STATE PRAIRIE VIEW Blackshear TBA
Sept. 25 *vs. Grambling State Dallas, Texas Cotton Bowl 6 p.m.
2010 State Fair Classic
Oct. 2 *at Mississippi Valley Itta Bena, Miss. Rice-Totten TBA
Oct. 9 *at Arkansas-PB Pine Bluff, Ark. Golden Lion TBA
Oct. 16 LINCOLN PRAIRIE VIEW Blackshear TBA
Homecoming
Oct. 23 *Southern Shreveport, La. Independence TBA
Oct. 30 *at Jackson State Jackson, Miss. Memorial TBA
Nov. 13 *Alcorn State PRAIRIE VIEW Blackshear TBA
Nov. 20 *Alabama A&M Huntsville, Ala. Lewis Crews TBA
*Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) games
Times listed are local times in host cities. For more information call (936) 261-9100/9106.
