SWAC West Out of Control

The three teams failed to seize control of the SWAC West, and await the division's fate in the Bayou Classic.

Kyle T. Mosley | Nov 19, 2022

SWAC West Out of Control /

Two SWAC West teams traveled along I-10 to Mississippi and Alabama with a mission. Win and seize control of the division.

Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks for an opening against Alcorn State during play at the Jack Spinks Football Stadium in Lorman, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Tcl Jsu Alcorn; Credit:© Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

ALCORN STATE

Alcorn State (5-6, 4-4 SWAC) faced enormous odds of upsetting Jackson State (11-0, 8-0 SWAC). It was a brave fight until the Tigers unleashed Travis Hunter on the Braves. He had a pick-six and a terrific toe-tap receiving touchdown to deliver a 24-13 win. JSU and Coach Sanders completed their second-straight undefeated season in the SWAC. Alcorn was eliminated.

PRAIRIE VIEW

The goal was relatively simple for Prairie View A&M (6-5, 503 SWAC). Bubba McDowell's Panthers must defeat Mississippi Valley State (2-9, 2-6 SWAC) and earn a trip to the 2022 SWAC Football Championship game versus Jackson State. Unfortunately, the Panthers surrendered 27 unanswered second-half points to lose 27-7.

TEXAS SOUTHERN

In the case of Texas Southern (5-6, 4-4 SWAC), the Tigers led 20-3 with 13:29 remaining in the game. The score was 20-10, and the momentum shifted to the Bulldogs. Andrew Body fumbled a game-sealing 26-yard run through the endzone for a touchback.

With six plays and 80 yards later, Xavier Lankford connected with Cameron Young for a 34-yard receiving touchdown. Alabama A&M would be down by 3 points, 20-17, in less than 1:23.

An ineffective quarterback Tison Hill subbed for an injured Andrew Body, and the Tigers punted. Lankford wasted little time pulling out the dagger and destroying Texas Southern's postseason dreams.

On a 4th and 1, with zero safety coverage, Lankford burst through the Tigers' defense for a 38-yard touchdown run, and TSU would fall 24-20. Also, Clarence McKinney's team eliminated themselves in the process.

DL Jason Dumas, Southern; Credit: Fred Green, Southern Athletics

WHAT'S NEXT?

Prairie View and Texas Southern couldn't close the deals and handed their fates to Southern University (6-4, 4-3 SWAC) in the upcoming Bayou Classic. Should the Jaguars fall to the lowly Grambling State Tigers (3-7, 2-5 SWAC), Prairie View would assume the title.

For now, the Panthers will be praying and singing Kum Bah Yah for Grambling to pull off the Bayou Classic upset as they did last season.

The season's grand finale and Bayou Classic pageantry will take place at Caesars Superdome on Saturday, Nov. 26.

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Published Nov 19, 2022

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: