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By means of DIANE XAVIER
The Dallas Examiner
The Prairie View A&M Panthers proceed their successful streak in opposition to the Grambling State Tigers at the once a year State Honest Vintage held on the Cotton Bowl in Honest Park.
On Oct. 1, the Panthers defeated the Tigers 34-14 for the 5th directly yr on the vintage in entrance of over 50,000 enthusiasts. It used to be the second one day of the honest and enthusiasts witnessed nice 30-year contention between the 2 groups, in addition to the ancient fight of the bands.
The win places the Panthers on most sensible of the Southwestern Athletic Convention West department with a 3-2 total document. The Tigers are in remaining position within the West department with a 1-4 document. Jackson State College leads the SWAC East department and total convention with a 4-0 document.
Nonetheless, Prairie View head trainer Bubba McDowell mentioned there are lots of spaces the Panthers want to enhance on in spite of main the primary part 27-0.
“We got here out nice within the first part of soccer the Panthers means however for us we simply must discover ways to shut in out and no longer creating a scare will have to I say,” McDowell mentioned. “Once more, I’m pleased with them, they usually got here out the second one part no longer like we needed however once more, we were given the win.”
Prairie View had a robust defensive efficiency within the first part of the sport, shutting out Grambling and forcing turnovers, consequences and breaking apart the Tigers receiving recreation.
Alternatively, in the second one part and 3rd quarter, Tigers head trainer Hue Jackson, changed beginning quarterback Quaterius Hawkins with freshman Julian Calvez.
Calvez led the Tigers to its first rating with 4:42 left within the 3rd quarter with a 5-yard landing run. The power took 5 performs and 70 yards with only one:40 to attain the primary landing for Grambling, who best produced two first downs within the first part of the sport. Then, with 1:22 left within the 3rd quarter, Calvez drove the ball down the sphere once more with a 5-yard landing cross to tight finish Noah Bean.
In spite of the Tigers forcing a comeback and risk to the Panthers staff, Grambling as soon as once more had more than one turnovers within the fourth quarter, first with Calvez throwing an interception with 8 mins left within the recreation after which with a muffed punt with 5 mins left in legislation. Panthers participant Jaylen Lane returned the punt for a landing, sealing the sport and victory 34-14.
“It felt actually just right getting our 5th directly win in opposition to Grambling as a result of everyone is aware of how nice that program is,” McDowell mentioned. “They’re a tender staff however anytime you’ll get a win, it’s all the time just right. The credit score is going to the coaches and avid gamers for the paintings they installed. Each and every time you play, you were given to get able to play Tuesday via Thursday and play your perfect soccer. We need to put it in combination and play 4 quarters.”
Completing the video games for the remainder of the season is what McDowell mentioned he’s searching for from his staff.
“We were given to get to our younger guys and determine methods to shut out the video games,” he mentioned. “We do one quarter at a time. First, 2d, after which going into halftime after which come again out and play simply as just right within the first and 2d quarter. There have been some rising pains within the 3rd and fourth quarter the place I assumed we will have to have stored the rating to 0, however they scored, and we were given the win. We’re going to have fun that and paintings on some issues and get able for Texas Southern subsequent.”
McDowell mentioned it’s all the time thrilling to play on the Cotton Bowl, particularly now that he’s head trainer. McDowell used to be promoted to move trainer in January 2022 after serving because the staff’s assistant head trainer and cornerbacks’ trainer.
“We’re two groups that may win any given Saturday,” McDowell mentioned. “Am I proud of the win, sure, however am I proud of the efficiency within the 3rd and fourth quarters, certainly not as a result of we’re a lot better than that.”
Offensively, Prairie View used to be led through quarterback Trazon Connley who used to be 9 of 16 in passing yards for a complete of 56 yards.
Connley agreed with McDowell that the Panthers nonetheless have numerous paintings to do in spite of a robust first part.
“We performed neatly sufficient to win, nevertheless it used to be no longer a dominating efficiency through our staff,” Connley mentioned. “We didn’t do our jobs the entire 60 mins of the sport. We got here out the primary 35 mins firing off after which the second one part we got here out complacent. However our protection is what helps to keep us afloat. Our protection helps to keep forcing turnovers and prevents and we simply must credit score this win to our protection. We nonetheless have paintings to do, and the process isn’t completed.”
Prairie View performs Texas Southern subsequent weekend whilst Grambling faces Alabama A&M College.
The gorgeous climate on the recreation additionally allowed the gang to benefit from the elaborate and proficient bands from each universities as they dazzled with their dance staff, drumline and flags. Although Prairie View gained the sport, each groups’ bands gained the hearts of many as they’re each thought to be a part of one of the crucial most sensible band performances in faculty soccer.
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