PRAIRIE VIEW vs. UAPB
WHEN: 1 P.M. SATURDAY WHERE: PANTHER STADIUM, PRAIRIE VIEW TV: NONE | RADIO: 1480 AM
Records: Prairie View A&M 3-5, 2-3 SWAC; Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2-7, 1-4.
Series history: Prairie View leads 47-22-4.
Key players: Prairie View — QB Neiko Hollins, RB Sta’Fon McCray, LB Jalan Coleman; Pine Bluff — QB Brandon Duncan, RB KeShawn Williams, WR Kolby McNeal.
Who has the edge Offense — Prairie View A&M.
Hollins couldn’t get it done on the final drive, when the Panthers had a chance to pull out a win against Southern, but he was solid overall, completing 20-of-45 passes for 242 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. He’s 60-of-128 for 776 yards, 10 TDs and two interceptions this season. The Panthers are 45th in scoring (27.9) and Pine Bluff is 72nd.
Defense — Prairie View A&M.
Panthers opponents are averaging only 3.6 yards per rush. LB Anthony Stubbs leads the team with 60 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four QB hurries and two forced fumbles, and LB Jayln Williams boasts 13.5 tackles for loss. Pine Bluff is No. 106 in scoring defense (35.6) behind the 111th-ranked pass defense (269). They’ve allowed 23 passing TDs.
Special teams — Even.
Pine Bluff K Jamie Gillan, who handles kickoffs and punts, has had some rough outings this season. He’s 10-of-16 on FGs overall. Prairie View K Zach Elder is 9-of-11 after splitting a pair last week.
Notable: The Panthers clobbered Pine Bluff 57-7 last year in Arkansas for their fourth consecutive win in the series. QB Trey Green passed for 400 yards and five TDs and the Panthers racked up 552 total yards in that win. They also won 54-29 two years ago and enjoyed a 20-game winning streak in the series from 1947 to 1966.
About Prairie View A&M:
The Panthers suffered a tough setback last week, falling 37-31 to Southern in a game that saw four lead changes and two ties. The Panthers forced a turnover in the final two minutes for the third time this season, but after taking over at their own 17, they ended up turning the ball over on downs at their 25. WR Khadarel Hodge had his league-leading seventh TD reception.
About Arkansas-Pine Bluff:
The Golden Lions have lost five straight games in contests all decided late in the fourth quarter, including backto-back home losses against Southern (47-40) and Grambling (31-26). Their last win was 34-27 in overtime against Jackson State on Sept. 23. The Lions outgained Grambling 385-365 and held the Tigers to three points in the second half but struggled to finish drives.