MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Prairie View A&M (3-1, 3-0 SWAC) overcame a seven-point deficit and scored 24 unanswered points to defeat the Alabama State Hornets 24-10 in conference action on Saturday afternoon at The Cramton Bowl.
Alabama State (3-2, 0-2 SWAC) marched down the field on its opening possession and took a 7-0 lead as Rahmod Traylor scored on a 23-yard run followed by Jake King's PAT with 13:18 left. After a series of disappointing offensive possessions by the Panthers throughout most of the first half, the Panthers finally got on track late in the half. Using a combination of run and the pass, the Panthers marched 52 yards in five plays and managed to find the scoreboard for the first time on Saturday late in the second quarter as quarterback K.J. Black found wide receiver Shaun Stephens for a 17-yard touchdown reception. Brady Faggard's PAT was successful as the Panthers tied the contest at 7-all.
After a defensive stop by the Panthers with a minute remaining, the Panther offense clicked on its second consecutive drive as they moved into ASU territory behind a series of pass receptions from Black. With one second remaining in the half, Faggard nailed his longest field goal of the season as the 37-yarder sailed through the uprights for a 10-7 Prairie View lead going into the half.
As the second half began, the red-hot Panther offense rolled once again on their opening possession and had fans on their seats as Black scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper on fourth down at the ASU goalline. Faggard's PAT sailed through the uprights as Prairie View led 17-7 with 6:24 left in the third quarter.
Once again, the Panther defense held its ground and the offense took advantage as Black connected with Anthony Weeden for a 77-yard reception to the ASU 1 which set up Prairie View's next score. As a result of the big play, junior tailback Donald Babers punched it in from one yard out for the Panthers' third touchdown of the afternoon. Faggard's third PAT was good which moved Prairie View on top 24-7.
ASU added a field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter and cut its deficit to two touchdowns en route to a 24-10 score. ASU kept the momentum going as they recovered the onside kick but the Panther defense held on the ensuing possession and forced a turnover on downs. Prairie View's offense was forced to punt after receiving the ball and the Hornets wouldn't go away as they drove all the way to the PVAMU 5 with 50 seconds remaining. On fourth-and-goal, preseason All-American Anthony Beck made the biggest defensive play of the game as he picked off ASU quarterback Chris Mitchell with a diving interception in the endzone.
Prairie View finished the contest with 413 (341 P, 72 R) total offensive yards compared to 349 (219 P, 130 R) yards by Alabama State. Black led the Panthers with 341 yards passing and one touchdown on 22 of 33 passing.
The Panthers return to action next weekend with their first home contest of the year as they face Mississippi Valley State for homecoming at 2 p.m.
