PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M University football win enjoyed its biggest win in new Panther Stadium Saturday with a 38-9 win over Jackson State.
PVAMU (2-2 overall, 2-0 SWAC) led 17-3 after the opening quarter in leading at halftime for the first time in six games in the new facility, posting its highest scoring output of the season heading into next week's SWAC Western Division showdown against Grambling in the State Fair Classic.
"I though the guys did a really good job of responding," said Prairie View A&M head coach Willie Simmons, who's Panthers improved to 17-3 in SWAC play since 2015. "This week, we challenged them to focus on the task at hand. Everyone knows how important the Grambling game is. They've been our Achilles heel for the last two years. It was a tall task to get our guys to focus on the game this week against Jackson State. I applaud their effort for coming out focused and locked in from the very get go."
The Panther defense forced five takeaways (four fumbles, one interception) and recorded four sacks in keeping Jackson St. (0-5, 0-2) out of the end zone until just over a minute remaining in the game. LB Jalyn Williams led the Panthers with seven tackles, including a sack, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery. He has eight tackles for loss in the past three games.
"The defense continues to play at an extremely high level," Simmons said. "Opportunistic football. What can you say with five takeaways. Again, they did a great job of stopping the run, and making the other team one dimensional."
Offensively, PVAMU converted two of the turnovers into points and had a balanced attack (208 rushing yards, 231 passing yards) in gaining 439 yards total offense.
QB Lavell McCullers had 258 yards total offense (190 passing, 68 rushing) and two touchdown passes. Dawonya Tucker rushed 12 times for 64 yards and a touchdown.
After an opening possession field goal by Jackson State, Prairie View A&M scored the game's next 38 points. KhaDarel Hodge caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Lavell McCullers to end a five-play, 60-yard drive for a 7-3 lead with just over seven minutes to play in the quarter.
Manuel Mukes recovered a JSU fumble on the ensuing kickoff, leading to another scoring drive. Zach Elder's 26-yard field goal increased the lead to 10-3 just over two minutes later.
Following a three-and-out by Jackson State, it took just three plays for the Panthers' second touchdown. McCullers completed a pass to Markcus Hardy, who eluded defenders on a 76-yard scoring pass for a 17-3 lead with 2:32 to play in the first quarter.
The score would remain the same until the third quarter. A fumble recovery by Williams set up to a seven-play, 34-yard scoring drive. Sta'Fon McCray's one-yard touchdown run gave the Panthers a 24-3 lead with 11:22 to play in the period.
Late in the third quarter, Prairie View A&M drove 67 yards in eight plays. Dawonya Tucker's six-yard scoring run extended the lead to 31-3.
Kalen Riles' four-yard scoring pass from Neiko Hollins with just under three minutes to play ended the scoring for the Panthers.
"Overall, it was a really good win," Simmons said. "We're going to enjoy it for the next day and a half. We understand what's at stake next week."
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