PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
The Panthers take a break from conference play against Bacone.
Records: Prairie View 2-4; Bacone College 2-6 Series history: First meeting.
Key players: Prairie View — QB Neiko Hollins, RB Dawonya Tucker, S Reggie Stubblefield; Bacone — QB Samuel Sewards III, RB Johnny Thomas, LB John Johnson. Who has the edge Offense — Prairie View. The Panthers are 54th in FCS scoring (26.3). Hollins, a redshirt freshman, threw for 291 yards and three TDs in his first start two weeks ago, but after giving the Panthers an early 14-0 lead he didn’t throw another scoring pass until 11:59 remained, and the Panthers were down 34-14. Tucker and Sta’Fon McCray had six carries apiece in the loss. Tucker’s the leading rusher this season, with 298 yards and four TDs on 61 attempts. Defense — Prairie View. The Panthers held Alcorn to 351 yards on 75 plays (4.7 yards per play). The Braves had averaged 455.8 yards. Prairie View’s opponents are averaging LB Anthony Stubbs leads the team with 39 tackles. Stubblefield has an INT and forced fumble, and LB Jalan Coleman has 3½ sacks. Special teams — Prairie View. Bacone kickers are a combined 1-of-3 on FGs this season, and P Simeus Rockley is averaging only 32.6 yards per punt. Prairie View P Owen Hoolihan is better, averaging 37.8 yards, and K Zach Elder is 6-of-7 on FGs, but the Panthers didn’t attempt a field goal in their past two games. Notable: Prairie View WR Khadarel Hodge posted his second straight 100yard receiving game and third straight game with at least one touchdown reception, with four receptions for 132 yards and two TDs against Alcorn.
About Prairie View: The Panthers are coming off an open week, giving them plenty of time to prepare for what should be an enjoyable homecoming. But coach Willie Simmons isn’t taking anything for granted. “Our guys are used to playing the Sam Houstons of the world, the Gramblings, the Alcorns, and having to get up for those games,” Simmons said. “Now, we’re playing a smaller team that doesn’t necessarily have a great record. So for us, it’s a challenge to lock in to try and play our best game.” About Bacone College: The NAIA Warriors (2-6, 2-4), based in Muskogee, Okla., are in the Central States Football League with Wayland Baptist, Texas Wesleyan and Texas College. The Warriors beat Texas College (31-26) and Wesleyan (33-18) before falling 41-28 last week at Wayland Baptist. Sewards completed 22 of 51 passes for 255 yards, two TDs and one interception.