Prairie View A&M University football will open the second half of the 2016 season Saturday at Rice.
 
Tickets for the 2:30 p.m. game can be purchased online at www.pvpanthers.com/tickets. The pregame show on KPVU 91.3 begins at 2 p.m. The game can be viewed online via the Rice website for the cost of $6.95, with live links available on pvpanthers.com.
 
Prairie View A&M (4-2 overall, 4-1 SWAC) returns to action after rallying for a 24-17 overtime homecoming win over Alabama State on Oct. 8. And while the Panthers used the time rest, recover and heal after the opening six games of the season, second-year head coach Willie Simmons and his team are ready to resume the season.
 
"They're used to routine. I think that it increases their habits," Simmons said. "The bye week was needed. We needed a rest, so I think for the guys they like to get back to the normal routine. We emphasized on Sunday us getting back to work and really coming with a lot of energy, the type of energy that we need throughout the week to prepare ourselves for the game on Saturday. So I've been pleased with their effort, and the attention to detail. Those are the things were going to need in order to go down there and give ourselves a chance to win."
 
The defense has played well during the 2016 season and entered the weekend second in the FCS with 25 sacks, a statistic Simmons is proud of. A former quarterback himself, Simmons knows first-hand what it means when the pocket is pressured.  
 
"I think anytime you can do that, it makes it extremely difficult for the offense to be productive," Simmons said.  "Having played the position before, it's a lot easier to make reads and make throws when you feel like you're protected. However, whenever you start getting hit, not necessarily sacks but just hits on the quarterback, it begins to take its toll. So I've been very, very pleased with our ability this season on defense to be able to get to the quarterback and put pressure on him."
 
Regardless of whether Trey Green or Jalen Morton start under the center, the running game will be a vital key to the Panthers' success.
 
"I think it's going to be key for us to be able to establish the run game and help keep our defense off the field," said Simmons, whose PVAMU team is 13-1 during his tenure when rushing for at least 100 yards.  "The difference between this year and last year I think is time of possession.  It's been a huge difference, as last year we led the league in time of possession (33:15 per game) and this year we're last (26:28), and I think that's due to our lack of ability to run the ball consistently.  Whenever we can run the ball effectively and keep the chain moving and keep our defense off the field, I think it makes us a much better team."
 
Rice (0-6, 0-4 C-USA) is looking for its first win of the season as the Owls celebrate homecoming. It's the second FBS opponent the Panthers will face this season, and Simmons relishes the chance on Saturday for his program.
 
"It's a huge challenge for us, but also another great opportunity this year to do something truly special that hasn't been done before at this University, and hopefully our guys will be up for the challenge," Simmons said. "It's a great opportunity, and another chance for this team to do something that will leave a mark on this program. I think nationally it will send shock waves throughout the country if we go in there and pull the upset. Not just from a football prospective, but as an institution, the national recognition that Prairie View A&M will receive I think will go a long way for this University and this athletic program."
 

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