DALLAS – Prairie View A&M University football got off to a fast start but couldn't sustain it in losing to Grambling State 36-16 in the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic.
The Panthers (3-2 overall, 3-1 SWAC) lead 16-0 in the first quarter but did not score again as Grambling scored the game's final 36 points (3-1, 3-0 SWAC).
"It was a hard fought football game," Prairie View A&M University head coach
Willie Simmons said. "I thought both teams came out early and traded punches. Football's a 60-minute game and I tip my cap to Grambling. They played 60 minutes. I didn't think we did."
Will Skinner got the Panthers on the board in the first quarter with a safety on the second play of the game for 2-0 lead.
On the ensuing drive, PVAMU drove 69 yards in only five plays.
Demarquo Lastrappe caught a 49-yard touchdown pass from
Trey Green to extend the lead to 9-0.
The Panthers marched the ball down the field to the end zone on the next possession, driving 78 yards in eight plays.
Dawonya Tucker scored on a 33-yard run to give Prairie View A&M a 16-0 lead.
"It was a tale of two halves," Simmons said. "At halftime, it was tied up, and we couldn't get anything going offensively, defensively, or in the kicking game. Again, we always talk about us deserving to win. Grambling deserved to win the game. They outplayed us, they out hit us, and did enough to win."
Prairie View A&M football returns to action at home Saturday hosting Alabama State in the homecoming game at 2 p.m. at Panther Stadium.
