PVAMU PANTHERS LAND 13 ON PHIL STEELE’S ALL-SWAC PRESEASON TEAM

PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (July 25, 2020) The Prairie View A&M football team made its presence known on the Phil Steele All-SWAC Preseason team, with 13 Panther standouts receiving recognition.

On offense, a trio of offensive linemen and a pair of wide receivers earned spots on the team. Tony Mullins landed on the second-team offense while Tristen Wallace landed on the third-team offense.  Mullins led the Panthers with 604 yards receiving during his junior season, and the Katy, Texas native hauled in seven scores, tops among all PVAMU players.

Wallace led the team with 40 receptions for 485 yards, grabbing a pair of touchdowns during his 2019 campaign.

First-Team All-SWAC player Danny Garza (First Team), DeJohn Jones (Second Team) and Eric Dunn (Second Team) were also honored. The senior trio opened holes for the top-ranked offense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and helped form an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks among league teams.

Defensively, Jason Dumas – one of Prairie View A&M’s most disruptive pass rushers from 2019 -- was named to the second-team defense. The first-team All-SWAC honoree posted 12.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in the prior season. 

Dynamic linebacker duo Tre’Shaud Smith and Storey Jackson both received first-team nods. Smith, a second-team selection to the 2019 All-SWAC team, led the Panthers with 93 total stops – 12 for loss – and 6.0 sacks. Jackson ranked second among Panther defenders with 72 tackles, adding 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

 

The Panthers’ ultra-productive secondary was well-represented as well, as Jaylen Harris received a first-team spot, Drake Cheatum picked up a second-team selection, and Reggie Stubblefield earned third-team consideration. Harris emerged as one of the SWAC’s top cover men, earning first-team all-conference honors after ranking among the nation’s best in passes defended. Harris intercepted four passes, best among PVAMU players.

Cheatum, a fellow first-team All-SWAC honoree, made 89 total stops along with a pair of tackles for loss while anchoring a Panthers defense that fielded the second-stingiest pass defense in the league as far as yards allowed.

Stubblefield was one of the most active Panthers, making 40 total tackles – a pair behind the line of scrimmage – and picking off a pass in just six games.

Punter Caleb Darbone (Second Team) and long snapper Desmond Calloway (Third Team) rounded out the Panthers’ selections to the team. Darbone averaged more than 37 yards per punt, with seven of his kicks landing inside the 20-yard line.

Texas Southern dominate Mississippi Valley State, 88-58

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 25, 2020) The Texas Southern Tigers jumped out to a 43-26 lead at halftime in route to a 88-58 win over the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes at the Fertitta Center on the campus of the University of Houston. The last minute venue change from the Health and Physical Education Arena due to a power outage on the TSU campus.

The Tigers (10-7, 5-1 SWAC) overwhelmed the Devilettes early in the game, claiming a 30-10 lead after 10 minutes of play, with Mississippi Valley outscoring TSU 16-13 in the second quarter. TSU go back to their 20-point lead in the third quarter (67-47), increasing their to 30 points in the fourth quarter (21-11).

Ciani Cryor (Philadelphia, PA, Rutgers) led the scoring with 30 points, followed by Nina Mitchell (Bay City, Texas, New Mexico Junior College) with 15. Guards Richelle Velez (Lake Jackson, Texas, Kilgore College) and Atalya Bridges (Lanett, Alabama, Shelton State) with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

TSU shot 50.7% from the field (36-of-51), also with 62.5% (10-16) from the free throw line. The Devilettes could only manage 36& from the field and 62.5% from the line. Mitchell tallied nine rebounds, six of them on offense while Cryor had six steals. For Mississippi Valley State, Natalia Cotten scored 12 points, while Angelica Darcus pulled down seven rebounds.

Next up for TSU is a January 27 match up with Arkansas-Pine Bluff with at 7:30 p.m. at home.

Five field goals leads Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 15-10 win over Texas Southern

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 17, 2018) Texas Southern could not overcome the fleet foot of kicker Jamie Gillan (Leonardtown HS, Leonardtown, Maryland) as he booted five field goals to lead the Arkansas-Pine Bluffs Golden Lions to a 15-10 win over the Tigers at BBVA Compass Stadium. The 2,045 fans in attendance, with the vast majority supporting the Tigers, witnessed Gillan kick field goals of 24, 37, 29, 46, and 37 yards and dash their hopes of TSU winning their second conference game of the season. TSU downed Mississippi Valley State by the score of 42-14 for the only conference win on October 27. 

The Tigers and Golden Lions traded scores in the first quarter, with TSU getting on the scoreboard first on a 24-yard kick by Aaron Cuevas (North Shore HS, Houston, Texas). That was followed by the first of Gillan's scores, a 37-yarder. He added the 39-yard field goal in the second quarter before Glen Cuiellette (Manderville HS, Manderville,Louisiana) romped 21 yards for the only touchdown of the game. Cuevas added the kicking conversion to give the Tigers a 10-6 lead at the half. Gill10 an's 46-yard and 27-yard field goals came in the third quarter, with the 22 yard field goal coming with 1:48 left in the game.

Texas Southern will conclude the season with a Saturday, November 24 match up against long-time rival Prairie View A&M. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at New Panther Stadium in Prairie View, Texas.

Texas Southern Lady Tigers fall to Southern 67-57

Joyce Kennerson (3) led the
scoring for TSU.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2018) The Texas Southern Lady Tigers jumped out to a 35-29 lead at halftime, but it was not enough to overcome the second half surge of the Southern Jaguars, as they dropped a 67-57 decision at H&PE Arena in Houston. The loss drops the Lady Tigers to 5-7 for the season and 0-1 in conference play.

The Lady Tigers shot 44% (11-of-25) in the first half, but made only 8-of-31 shots from the field in the second half.

Junior starting guard Joyce Kennerson led all scorers with 21 points while Isis Lane came off the bench to chip in 10. Kennerson, who played her prep ball for Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Texas, was also 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Starting guard Camille Mills pulled down eight rebounds while Kaitlyn Palmer recorded three assists.

Texas Southern took the lead at the 5:39 mark in the first quarter and held it until late in the third quarter. With 1:56 left in the quarter Southern's Tiamya Butler stole the ball and score two points on a layup. That game the Jaguars a 44-43 lead of which they never relinquished. The Lady Tigers were held to 14 points the remainder of the game, while Southern when on a 23-point scoring drive. Briana Green scored 20 points for Southern along with seven rebounds.

Next up for the Lady Tigers is a Wednesday, January 3 match up against Alcorn State with a 5:30 p.m. CT tip off at H&PE Arena.

Texas Southern falls to Prairie View A&M in postponed Labor Day Classic

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 25, 2017) The Texas Southern Tigers drew blood first, with a field goal, but it was not enough to stop Prairie View A&M, as they dropped a 30-16 decision to the Panthers on Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Tigers finish the season with a 2-9 record, while the Panthers head back to Prairie View posting a 6-5 record for 2017. The game, originally scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, was postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey.

Prairie View A&M jumped out to a 14-3 lead at halftime, due to two late second quarter scores. Texas Southern got on the scoreboard at the 4:14 mark of the first quarter when kicker Aaron Cuevas (North Shore HS, Houston, Texas) booted a 34-yard field goal to give the Tigers the early lead. The Panthers came right back and scored twice in the final 2:21 of the game. They scored their first touchdown of the game when senior wide receiver Joshua Simmons (Jack Yates HS, Houston, Texas) caught a 36-yard pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Neiko Hollins  (Hightower HS, Fresno, Texas); to cap a four-play, 54-yard drive. With no time remaining in the half, Hollins connected with redshirt sophomore Ronald Collins (Lamar HS, Houston, Texas)  on a one-yard pass. The drive lasted 1:03, and covered 83 yards in seven plays. Freshman kicker Zach Elder (Johnson HS, San Antonio, Texas) split the upright on both extra points to close out the scoring in the first half.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

After some spirited play in the third quarter, the Texas Southern defense got the Tigers back in the game when a Hollins pass was picked off by senior free safety Archie Rice (Agua Fria HS, Avondale, AZ) and returned 39 yards for the score. Cuevas' extra point was blocked, with TSU cutting Panthers' lead to five (14-9) with 5:52 left in the third quarter.

Prairie View came roaring back 2:32 into the third quarter when Hollis found junior tight end Zarrian Holcombe (Summer Creek HS, Houston, Texas) open over the middle as he plowed his way to the end zone after catching the 12-yard pass. Elder also has his extra point attempt blocked; giving the Panthers a 20-9 lead with 12:28 left in the game. Elder increased the Panthers' point total by three when he booted a 32-yard field goal with 7:18 remaining in the game. They added an addition touchdown with 2:20 left in the game when redshirt senior running back Sta'Fon McCray (Osceola HS, North Kissimmee, Florida) carried the ball the final yard of a 27-yard drive for the score. The Tigers scored their second TD of the game with 24 seconds remaining in the game when junior running back Brad Woodard (Dickinson HS, Dickinson, Texas) rushed 46 yards for the score.

With the win, the Panthers cut Texas Southern's all-time record to 44-28-1; while wining the last three games; 38-11 (2015) and 29-25 (2016).

Texas Southern Tigers drop hard fought game to Southern Jaguars, 33-7

Photo by Houston Sports Images

Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved 
Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 11, 2017) The Texas Southern Tigers, despite putting up a valiant effort, could not contain the offensive strength of the Southern Jaguars; dropping a 33-7 decision in SWAC football action. The 6,000-plus fans at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium witnessed the Jaguars push their season record to 7-3 (5-1 in conference action), while the Tigers fell to 1-8 (1-4 in conference). Southern holds on to a solid second place standing in the Western Division of the SWAC; behind No. 11 Grambling State. 

It took almost the entire first quarter before either team found the end zone. The Jaguars did it first, on a Herb Edwards 71-yard run with 56 seconds left in the quarter. The score capped a three-play, 90-yard drive that lasted only 57 seconds. They added two Cesar Barajas field goals; both late in the second quarter, of 30 and 18 yards to close out the first half with Southern leading 13-0.

Photo by Houston Sports Images

Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved 
Used with permission.

Southern came right out in the second half and picked up where they left off; scoring another touchdown after 3:29 of play. Quarterback Austin Howard found tight end Dennis Craig open, and hit him with a 10-yard pass for the score. It took the Jaguars 10 plays to  over the 75 yards to the end zone. They added an insurance touchdown when Demerio Houston returned a Donald Halsltead  TSU punt 74 yards for the score with two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Texas Southern Tigers scored 40 seconds into the fourth quarter to avert a shutout, when Elijah Odom rushed the final 11 yards of their 67-yard drive for their only touchdown of the game. Southern responded with another touchdown when freshman red shirt wide receiver Christopher Chaney, who was not listed on the depth chart, scored from two yards out.  Odem rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries and completed three passes for 50 yards.

Next up for Texas Southern is a Saturday, November 18 road trip to play Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 

Texas Southern beats Alcorn State in OT to clinch SWAC title

Photo by Tommy Boatman
Copyright 2017
All Rights Reserved

By Kristina McKay
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 5, 2017) Zach Lofton scored 20 of his 30 points after halftime on Thursday night, Kevin Scott had a double-double and Texas Southern beat Alcorn State 94-88 to clinch its third consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season title. Scott had 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assist and three steals, Demontrae Jefferson also scored 17 with six assists and Jalan McCloud scored 15 for Texas Southern. 

After a jumper by Marquis Vance on the other end, Scott and McCloud made two free throws apiece and the Tigers led by eight with 12 seconds left. Texas Southern, which made 10 of 17 free throws in regulation, hit 8 of 12 in OT and by losing The Alcorn State Braves had their 11-game win streak snapped.

Texas Southern's Joyce Kennerson scored a career-high 30 points as she led the Lady Tigers to a 64-49 win over visiting Alcorn State

Photo by Tommy Boatman
Copyright 2017
All Rights Reserved

By Kristina McKay

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 5, 2017) At TSU's Health and Physical Education Arena, Kennerson shot 10-of-19 from the floor and made three out of her five 3-point attempts; she also handed out a game-high five assists. The win, coupled with Southern's loss in Prairie View, guaranteed Texas Southern (19-9, 13-4 SWAC) will finish no lower than third place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings when the regular season ends Saturday.

Alcorn State (9-19) fell to 9-8 with the loss and was unable to clinch the No. 5 seed in the Toyota SWAC Tournament which begins Tuesday. The Lady Tigers are currently tied for first place in the SWAC with Grambling State, which lost at home Thursday to Alabama State. Grambling owns the tiebreaker with TSU; the Houstonians have a mathematical shot of winning the regular season title if they defeat Southern on Saturday,

Photo by Tommy Boatman
Copyright 2017
All Rights Reserved

but would also need Grambling to lose at home to the 2-24 Alabama A&M Lady Bulldogs, who have yet to defeat and NCAA opponent this season. TSU still controls their own destiny in terms of claiming a share of the regular season title and the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. 

Update:  since they defeated Southern 58-46 on March 4^th, TSU won 20 regular season games for first time since 1982. TSU finished tied for first place with Grambling State. The two teams split their season series, with each team winning at home, but Grambling held the tiebreaker advantage on point differential, and will enter the Toyota SWAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Lady Tigers of TSU claim the No. 2 seed, and will host in-state rival Prairie View A&M at Texas Southern's Health & Physical Education Arena.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff downs Texas Southern on late game score



Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved
 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications



 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 25, 2014)  With the score seesawing back and forth all afternoon, the Texas Southern Tigers could not contain Arkansas-Pine Bluff final drive and fell to the Golden Eagles by the score of 38-37 in front of 8,210 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, October 25, 2014.

In the first quarter, Texas Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff each scored a touchdown and a field goal to end the quarter in a 10-all tie.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 5-3 for the season and 3-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Pine Bluff raised their conference record to 1-4 and 2-5 for the season.

The Golden Lions scored at the 6:31 mark with a 26-yard field goal by Tyler Strickland. He also scored the extra point after Benjamin Anderson connected with C.J. Branch on 34-yard pass with 4:41 remaining in the quarter.

The Tigers tallied their points on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Homer Causey to Daveonn Porter and Eric Medina’s extra point. Medina added a 42-yard field goal with 42 second left in the quarter.

Pine Bluff put the pedal to the medal in the second quarter, scoring 16 points to make the score 26-17 at halftime.

Walk on running back Brian Hanley scored two touchdowns, on runs of 17 and 23 to give the Golden Lions 12 points. Strickland connected on one of the extra points, missing one and added a field goal to close out second quarter scoring.

TSU added seven points with 17-yard pass from Causey to Malik Cross and a Medina extra point at the 8:12 mark in the third quarter and an additional seven points with 4:25 left in the quarter. That closed out the scoring, giving TSU a 31-26 lead with 15 minutes to go.

Pine Bluff regained the lead with a Willie Young 60 yard pass reception, making the score 32-31. Texas Southern responded with their own aerial touchdown when Causey hit Larry Clark from 16 yard out for the score and the lead with 2:31 left in the game.

After the ensuing kickoff, Anderson unleased a monstrous pass on the second play from scrimmage, again connecting with Young. He grabbed the ball on the 69-yard pass play and the final score of the game.

Porter carried the ball 18 times for 187 yards and one touchdown while Causey completed 27 of 35 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns.

Anderson completed 12 of 23 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Porter caught seven passes for 83 yards and one TD, while Clark added 78 yards on the ground with five carries.

Next on tab for TSU will be Grambling State on November 1, 2014 with a 5:30 p.m. kickoff at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Tigers are 5-3 for the season and 4-0 in SWAC action with their most recent win a 63-39 victory over the Golden Eagles on October 18, 2014.

Houston Dynamo, BBVA Compass Reach Multi-Year, Naming Rights Agreement For New Dynamo Stadium

Picture Courtesy of the Houston Dynamo

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 14, 2011) The Houston Dynamo and Sunbelt bank BBVA Compass announced they are entering into a multi-year naming rights agreement for the Major League Soccer (MLS) team’s new downtown Houston stadium currently under construction. 

BBVA Compass Stadium is set to open May 12.

“We have always believed that Houston was one of the most important and passionate sports markets in the United States,” said Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG. “From day one, our fans have been phenomenal in their support of the Dynamo which in turn has been MLS’ best team the past six years. Now, with today’s announcement and the brand new BBVA Compass Stadium, we have a partner that not only shares our vision for the stadium but our franchise’s commitment to the community. We are grateful to the City, Mayor Parker, and BBVA Compass who are as dedicated and devoted to the Dynamo, to the market, to our fans and to our community as Mr. Anschutz, Gabriel Brener and Oscar De La Hoya.”

BBVA Compass Stadium, which will seat 22,000, is the newest addition to Houston’s professional sports landscape. This state-of-the-art facility will be home to the Houston Dynamo soccer team and Texas Southern University football. The open-air stadium will also serve as the host venue for concerts, festivals, boxing, high school sports, soccer “friendlies,” sports championships, community and special events and more.

“This is great for Houston,” said Manolo Sánchez, BBVA Compass president and CEO. “BBVA Compass Stadium will be a major step in revitalizing our urban core. And it will showcase the most popular sport in the world, one that upholds the values of BBVA Compass: teamwork, effort and fair play. We look forward to a long and enduring relationship with the Dynamo and Major League Soccer.”

BBVA Compass Stadium becomes Major League Soccer’s 14th soccer-specific venue with a naming rights partner. Other venues are BMO Field (Toronto), Saputo Stadium (Montreal), Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City, Colo.), Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Mass.), JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.), LIVESTRONG Sporting Park (Kansas City, Kan.), Pizza Hut Park (Frisco, Texas), PPL Park (Chester, Pa.), CenturyLink Field (Seattle, Wash.), Red Bull Arena (Harrison, N.J.), Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah), The Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.) and Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Ill.).

The City of Houston has already benefitted from the stadium’s development with 1,500 construction and related jobs. Another 300 jobs will be added once the venue opens in spring of 2012. BBVA Compass Stadium will generate $32 million for the local economy while jumpstarting the revitalization of the area east of downtown, where a new light rail line is already under construction.

The new home of the Dynamo will also be a good for the environment, as this facility promises to be the most recycled and sustainable stadium ever built. In fact, steps have already begun for certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system with the United States Green Building Council to become the “greenest” stadium in Houston and one of the only LEED certified sports venues in Texas.

“I would like to thank BBVA Compass for sharing our vision for the future and our commitment to the community,” said Dynamo president of business operations Chris Canetti. “Together we will utilize the stadium as a driving force toward making a positive impact on the city. This announcement, along with the stadium opening and the team’s success, is another example of the great excitement surrounding the Dynamo organization. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

A central component of the Dynamo and BBVA Compass agreement calls for the creation and implementation of a newly developed “Building a Better Houston” campaign. Through this initiative, both organizations have committed to making a difference in the neighborhoods surrounding the new stadium. The campaign will initially focus on four programs carried out one per week in the days leading up to the stadium’s opening. These will include programs focused on educating school children, encouraging physical fitness, sustaining the environment, and revitalizing Houston’s East End.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M CAPTURES SWAC WOMEN’S ALL-SPORTS AWARD

PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (June 10, 2010) For only the second time in school history, Prairie View A&M University has earned the Barbara Jacket/Sadie Magee Award as the top overall women’s sports program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Prairie View A&M, who totaled 80.5 points, finished tied with Jackson State for the award. This past year, the women’s athletic programs at Prairie View boasted several solid performances highlighted by second place finishes in women’s basketball, bowling, soccer and outdoor track and field. The last time Prairie View A&M captured the award occurred during the 1984-85 athletic campaign.

“This award is well-deserved for our female student-athletes,” said Prairie View A&M University Athletic Director Fred Washington. “Our student-athletes carry their leadership and athleticism on and off the field. We would like to thank all faculty, staff and administrators for helping our female student- athletes achieve their accomplishment on their well-deserved award.”

“We’re always excited to see our student-athletes be successful in the classroom and on the playing field,” added Assistant Athletic Director for Female Sports Alicia Pete. “This award represents the hard work and dedication of our female sports and it was earned by our student-athletes, coaches and support staff as they represent the best of our Panther Spirit.”

On the men’s side, Prairie View A&M finished fourth (57.0) in the race for the C.D. Henry Award and wrapped up the 2009-10 campaign ranked fourth overall among SWAC schools in the running for the SWAC All-Sports title with 137.5 points.

SWAC ANNOUNCES PRESEASON SOCCER HONORS

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (August 13, 2008) The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2008 preseason soccer honors Wednesday with Jackson State teammates Naira Crimiel and Rochelle Moncrieffe claiming top honors. The team was voted on by the schools’ coaches and sports information contacts.

Crimiel – a 5-foot-3 sophomore midfielder from McComb, MS – was named preseason offensive player of the year following a successful 2007 campaign. Last season, she played in 16 games in which she tallied 14 goals and six assists (34 points). She connected on three game-winning goals and had a shot-on-goal percentage of 69 percent. She had three games of at least two goals and two matches of four goals scored. She was first in the conference averaging 2.12 points per game, first in goals scored and third in assists. She was named conference player of the week four times and was the 2007 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Moncrieffe – a 5-foot-10 sophomore defender/forward from Coconut Creek, FL – was voted as the preseason defensive player of the year. She garnered six goals and seven assists last season while assisting in one of the stingiest defensive efforts in the conference. JSU allowed the fewest goals in the conference – sixteen (16) – while posting an goals-against average of 1.15 per game. The team had seven shutouts last season while notching 78 team saves. Moncrieffe ended the 2007 season as a member of the all-conference second team.

In the predicted order of finish, Jackson State and Grambling State were picked to win their respective divisions. In the Western Division, Grambling State garnered ten first-place votes en route to 83 voting points. Southern (six first-place votes) was second with 74 points while Prairie View A&M (four first-place votes) was third with 64 points. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (40 pts) and Texas Southern (36 pts) rounded out the division. In the Eastern Division, Jackson State was chosen first with nine first-place votes as they received 83 points. Alabama A&M – defending champion – was picked second with 80 points while Mississippi Valley State (four first-place votes) received 68 points. Alabama State (35 pts) and Alcorn State (34 pts) close out the divisional list.

Mississippi Valley State had five players chosen for preseason honors – two on the first team. Southern had four selections; Prairie View A&M, Grambling State, Alabama A&M and Jackson State placed three players on the preseason squad while Alcorn State had one player chosen.

ANOTHER ‘CLASSIC’ YEAR ON THE HORIZON FOR SWAC FOOTBALL IN 2008

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (July 28, 2008) The upcoming 2008 Southwestern Athletic Conference football season promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in conference history. Adding to that mix is a season-long list of ‘Classic’ football matchups across the nation.

A total of 16 games will be played in a Classic-style format: primarily neutral site locations from Orlando, FL to Los Angeles, CA and many stops in between. The opening weekend of the SWAC football season will feature a pair of Classics.

The Labor Day Classic featuring the SWAC Texas showdown between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern will kickoff at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on Sat., Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. The weekend will conclude the MEAC/SWAC Challenge matchup of Jackson State and Hampton at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL and shown live on ESPN2 at 1 p.m.The regular season will conclude with a trio of Classics on Thanksgiving Weekend. The annual showdown between Alabama State and Tuskegee in the Turkey Day Classic will kickoff in Montgomery, AL at the Crampton Bowl at 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thu. Nov. 27.

A pair of Classics will be played on Sat. Nov. 29. The Bayou Classic showdown between Southern and Grambling State will kickoff in the Louisiana Superdome at 1 p.m. in New Orleans (televised live on NBC). Also that day is the Dallas Lone Star Classic matchup between Texas Southern and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. That game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

THREE PANTHERS SELECTED FOR PRESEASON ALL-SWAC HONORS

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (July 25, 2008) The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced it’s 2008 Preseason teams at SWAC Media Day and a total of three Prairie View A&M Panther football players were selected for honors.

PVAMU’s Zach East was selected as a linebacker to the Preseason All-SWAC First Team and was also named the 2008 SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Last season East led the conference in tackles with 127 stops. He also tallied double-digit tackles in nine of the Panthers ten outings.

Offensive lineman Cleveland Collie was named to the SWAC’s Preseason All-Conference Second Team along with fellow teammate Dalvin Neetles who was one of the Panthers key contributors on the defensive line.

Overall the Panthers were picked to finish in third place in the SWAC’s Western Division.

“We don’t put a lot of stock into what place we’re picked to finish in the conference,” said Panthers head coach Henry Frazier III. “When the season concludes people don’t remember how you were picked to finish during the preseason, they only remember how you finished in December.”

Panthers quarterback Mark Spivey and Zach East accompanied Frazier to the SWAC Media Day which was held at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Following the Media Day Interview sessions was the 2008 SWAC Football kickoff luncheon which was headlined by a keynote address from former Southern University football player and NFL standout defensive back Aeneas Williams. The 14-year NFL veteran played with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1991-2000) and St. Louis Rams (2001-04), amassing 55 interceptions in more than 200 NFL games.

The SWAC also announced its 2008 football television line-up which features the Annual State Farm Labor Day Classic between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern on August 30th, at Reliant Stadium. The game will be broadcast tape delayed on ESPNU at 9:30 p.m.

SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES PRESEASON FOOTBALL HONORS

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (July 24, 2008) The Southwestern Athletic Conference announces its 2008 Preseason All-Conference Football Team with Southern quarterback Bryant Lee and Prairie View A&M linebacker Zach East taking top honors. The team was selected by nominations and votes from the member schools’ coaches and sports information contacts along with selected members of the media.

Named the preseason offensive player of the year, Lee (6-2, 195, Jr.) spearheaded an offensive unit that finished first in passing offense, second in total offense and fourth in scoring offense last season. The Boutte, La., native tallied 2,326 passing yards in ten games in 2007. He threw for 23 touchdowns (leading the SWAC) while finishing with a pass efficiency rating of 152.6 (11th in the FCS). He ended the season garnering second-team All-Conference honors.

Tabbed the preseason defensive player of the year, East (6-1, 240, Sr.) came on strong during the end of the 2006 season and continued his strong play in 2007. He finished the 2007 campaign with 127 total tackles (67 solo) while being named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. He also tallied 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles and a blocked kick. He had double-digit stops in nine games last season including an 18-tackle performance versus Grambling State and a 19-tackle performance against Jackson State. In two years with the Panthers, he has totaled 187 total tackles.

In the predicted order of finish, voters decided that the 2007 division winners will repeat in 2008. In the Eastern Division, SWAC champion Jackson State received 17 first-place votes en route to 105 total points. Alabama A&M, the 2006 SWAC champion, received five first-place tallies as they received 92 points. Mississippi Valley State (51 pts), Alabama State (49 pts) and Alcorn State (33 pts) rounded out the divisional voting. In the Western Division, 2005 champion Grambling State claimed 11 first-place votes as they earned 96 points. Southern – the 1999 and 2003 champion – received seven first-place votes as en route to 89 total points. Prairie View A&M earned four first-place tallies as they finished with 75 points. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (38 pts) and Texas Southern (32 pts) rounded out the Western Division.

In all, there were 12 seniors selected to the first team and 13 for the second team. Ten juniors were chosen for the first team while 11 were selected second team. Three sophomores were first-team selections while one was chosen for the second team.

Alabama A&M and Southern led the count with nine preseason selections each. The Bulldogs received six first-team selections while Southern had five. Jackson State ended with seven preseason choices – three on first team and four on second team. Grambling State had three on each team for a total of six selections. Arkansas-Pine Bluff received four first-team honors and one second-team selection for a total of five. Mississippi Valley State and Alabama State each garnered four selections while Prairie View A&M had three. Alcorn State and Texas Southern carried two and one selections, respectively.

Click here to view the SWAC Coaches' Predicted Order for Finish and 2008 SWAC Preseason All-Conference Selections.