Prairie View A&M Defense Dominant In SWAC-Opening Win At Alabama State

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Prairie View A&M University football team opened Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a dominant 34-0 win Saturday night at Alabama St.

The Panthers (1-2, 1-0 SWAC) held Alabama St. (0-4, 0-1) to 127 total yards and only seven first downs, forcing three turnovers and scoring a touchdown of its own as PVAMU recorded its first shutout since Oct. 17 2009, a 38-0 home win over Miss. Valley St. The shutout is the first on the road since a 15-0 win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 18, 2008.

"It's a conference win, so it's very important in the fact that it's step one to achieving our ultimate goal, which is the SWAC Championship," said PVAMU head coach Willie Simmons, who's teams are now 9-0 in SWAC road games in opposing venues. "I'm proud of the guys, proud of their effort, and proud of the way they came out and responded. It's something to build on. We're definitely happy to be 1-0 in conference play, and ready to get back to work."

Anthony Stubbs forced a fumble on the second play of the game, which was recovered by Ju'Anthony Parker. The first of two Sta'Fon McCray touchdown runs gave Prairie View A&M a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. McCray rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

In the second quarter, a 37-yard interception return by Parker gave PVAMU a 14-0 lead with 6:36 to play until halftime. Later in the quarter, a 61-yard touchdown pass from Lavell McCullers to Markcus Hardy gave the Panthers a 21-0 halftime lead.



In the third quarter, McCray rushed on the first three plays of the second half for 65 yards on the scoring drive, ending with his nine-yard scoring run for a 28-0 lead.

Zach Elder ended the scoring with a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter, and a career-long 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the final margin.

McCullers completed 14 of 27 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, as the Panthers gained 409 total yards (234 rushing, 175 passing).

Prairie View A&M football returns home to host Jackson St. Saturday at 4 p.m. at Panther Stadium. Tickets are available online at pvpanthers.com/tickets.

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