BOX SCORE

ORLANDO, Fla. - Prairie View A&M's first trip to the Sunshine State in over five decades didn't turn out too sunny as Bethune-Cookman used a 42-point first half for a 63-14 victory on Sunday in the 7th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge at the Citrus Bowl.

The Panthers turned the ball over on downs to begin the contest and BCC didn't waste any time taking advantage with an eight-play, 64-yard drive which resulted in a touchdown at the 10:11 mark of the first quarter.  After trading possessions, BCC began its second scoring march of the afternoon as a 4th-and-1 conversion at the PV 23 led to a score three plays later en route to a 14-0 lead following the extra point.

In the second quarter, the Panthers became their own worst enemy on the next three offensive possessions as BCC scored three touchdowns in a span of three minutes.  Prairie View had a punt blocked to begin the quarter which led to a BCC score and a 20-0 deficit three plays later.  On the next two drives, Bethune was handed two early Christmas gifts as two PV fumbles led to back-to-back touchdown returns. 

Prairie View's next offensive possession stalled while BCC remained hot as the Wildcats drove 88 yards down the field for another touchdown with 3:19 left in the half.  The Panthers finally showed some life offensively after the score as quarterback Jonathan Troast hit Spencer Nelson on a 21-yard strike to the PV 49.  On the very next play, senior running back Jermaine Waddy busted through the line for a 40-yard rush which moved the Panthers into the red zone for the first time all game.  Seconds later, the Panthers scored their first touchdown of the Heishma Northern era as junior Deandre Cooper caught an 11-yard pass from Troast.

BCC missed a 48-yard field goal on its next possession but PV failed to capitalize as its final two drives of the half resulted in a fumble and interception.

The Wildcats opened the second half with a six-play, 76-yard scoring drive which upped their lead to 49-7.  The scoring ceased for both teams until midway through the third quarter when freshman quarterback Jerry Lovelocke used his feet to ignite the Panthers.  Lovelocke rushed for 28 yards on the drive and capped off his first-ever collegiate score with a 7-yard scamper to the endzone. 

BCC added two more scores to close out the contest and claimed the first-ever meeting between both schools and the fifth win by the MEAC in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

"The bottom line is that we didn't finish plays and they made outstanding plays," said head coach Heishma Northern.

Prairie View gained 262 (140 P, 122 R) total offensive yards while BCC gained 500 total yards.  Junior running back Le'Darryae Groover rushed for 46 total yards on 13 carries while Troast passed for 116 yards and two interceptions on 12-of-22 passing. Junior linebacker Elton Holmes led the way defensively with 11 tackles followed by nine from junior safety Brian Medlock.

"All I know how to do is work and the team will get back to work as we're going to win football games, plain and simple," said Northern.

SWAC play begins next Saturday as the Panthers travel to Houston for a matchup versus Texas Southern in the annual Labor Day Classic.  Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Delmar Stadium.