DALLAS – Grambling State saw a 22 year streak come to an end Saturday evening at The Cotton Bowl as the Panthers of Prairie View A&M held on to defeat the Tigers, 35-32, before 42,786 spectators at the State Fair Classic.

 

Prairie View jumped ahead on its opening possession as quarterback KJ Black scored on a 4-yard scamper to cap off an 18-play, 59-yard drive for a 7-0 lead.  After a three-and-out by Grambling, Prairie View moved ahead by two scores with 39 seconds left in the quarter as Donald Babers scored on a 4-yard run.  Brady Faggard's PAT sailed through the uprights as Prairie View led 14-0.

 

Grambling trimmed its deficit to one touchdown early in the second quarter as Greg Dillon recorded a 2-yard touchdown run.  Dillon's score was set up by a 50-yard reception to wideout Kiare Thompson eight plays into the drive.  Prairie View went 3-and-out on its next drive and Grambling once again answered as they trailed 14-10 after Ari Johnson's 28-yard field goal.    The Panthers fought back and closed the half out strong as Black connected with wideout Anthony Weeden for an 8-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left for a 21-10 advantage.

 

With Grambling driving on its opening possession in the second half, Prairie View safety Chris Adingupu came up with an interception at the PV 10.  The Panthers responded on its next drive with a Black run for 46 yards to move them ahead 28-10 after Faggard's PAT.

 

Prairie View's 18-point deficit failed to hold up from that point as Grambling State erupted for 19 points in the third quarter to move ahead 29-28.  However, PVU refused to go away as Black connected with Weeden once again for a 52-yard touchdown reception on 2^nd-and-25 to close out the third quarter for a 35-29 lead. 

 

The Panther defense came up big in the fourth quarter as they held Grambling State to a 22-yard field goal with 9:43 remaining to lead 35-32.  Both teams traded punts from that point but Prairie View A&M closed out the game as Black converted a 4^th-and-1 with 1:22 remaining to close out the win.

 

Dillon completed 16-of-26 passes for 293 yards and two scores while rushing for another. Kiare Thompson led all receivers with 8 catches for 133 yards. Defensively Derrick Wilhite led all tacklers with 13 (6 solo).

 

Black went 19-of-26 for 184 yards; while rushing 85 yards on 10 carries with two scores. Renold Revuelta led the Panthers defense with eight tackles (six solo).

 

The Tigers (2-3, 0-1 SWAC) will return to action October 10^th when they return home to host the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M.