McDowell: Panthers Are 'Locked In' For Clash With Rattlers

Prairie View's head coach emphasizes the Panthers are aware of staying focused ahead of the SWAC tilt with FAMU.

HOUSTON — Rattlers. Panthers. One on the rise. The other is confident for the upset.   The two friends and former colleagues — Bubba McDowell and Willie Simmons — have their football teams ready to clash in a Homecoming showdown at Bragg Memorial Stadium.  Saturday's matchup between these SWAC division leaders hopes to become a gunslingers' shootout from an Ol' Western movie.  QBs Jeremy Moussa vs. Trazon Connley.  RBs Ahmad Antoine or Kelvin Dean. Or, LB Isaiah Major and the Dark Cloud Defense against DB DeJuan Lewis and Panthers D!

After leaving Houston unscathed, yet a little nicked up from Texas Southern's first-half onslaught, Florida A&M (6-1, 5-0 SWAC) won 31-21.  The Rattlers are now home and ready to dispel doubts about their SWAC dominance.

Prairie View A&M; Credit: PVAMU Athletics

Crosstown rivals at Houston Christian took Prairie View A&M (3-4, 3-1 SWAC) to the woodshed with a 30-0 thumping in Houston.  Coach Bubba McDowell knows his team must put the Panthers' last outing to rest before facing a confident Florida A&M team who's ranked No. 14 in the AFCA polls.   

"We're a good team," McDowell told HBCU Legends. "But we're not a good team when we don't take care of our assignments.  Coach Simmons will exploit any weaknesses.  At some point on Saturday, it'll be up to our guys to step up and play Panthers football."

Aside from the Homecoming festivities, the Marching 100 blaring in the stands, and the buzz on Ken Riley Field, it will be an intense match between Prairie View and Florida A&M.  Execution and discipline are two keys Coach McDowell believes will be the difference between winning and losing this critical SWAC tilt. 

Credit: FAMU Athletics

Should either lose, neither team will take a hit in their SWAC rankings per their respective divisions.  However, psychologically, one squad will suffer damage in what could be the prequel to the 2023 SWAC Football Championship game.

"Our motto is to be 'Locked In!' Not just Q1, Q2, and Q3, but for the whole four quarters of football."  The stakes are high for Prairie View A&M. McDowell, his staff and his team understand the significance of not squandering opportunities to defeat the Rattlers.  Otherwise, Alcorn State, Southern, and Grambling State are waiting for the PV to in the upcoming weeks.   

After FAMU, the Panthers will face Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern, and Alabama State in their season finale at home. They control their destiny ahead of the SWAC Championship in December.  Although the practices haven't been crisp leading up to the big game, the Prairie View will be ready.  "We know our responsibility. It's time for us to carry out our assignment."  

The Panthers' assignment? Win.