Among the definitions of resiliency is 'the ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like.'
 
Prairie View A&M University football has shown its mettle during this 2016 season in forging to a 6-3 overall record, 6-1 in SWAC play.
 
Perhaps nowhere has that resilience tested more than home in new Panther Stadium, where the Panthers have overcome double-digit first half deficits to create victories and remain unbeaten in the first three contests. Opportunistic plays on offense, defense and special teams all three phases at different times in different ways have equaled success for the Panthers, who have won two straight games and three of the last four contests.
 
Saturday's challenge against SWAC Western Division co-leader Southern (6-2, 6-0) will likely test both teams' mental fortitude in seeking postseason play in the one of the most significant late-season football games to be played on The Hill in history, which kicks off just after 1 p.m. at new Panther Stadium. (Radio KPVU 91.3 FM; Video Stream – SWAC Digital Network; limited tickets remain  and can be purchased at Panther Stadium Saturday starting at 11 a.m.  Click here for Panther Gameday information.
 
"It helps if we can continue that," said PVAMU Head Coach Willie Simmons of his team's ability to rally to home wins over Texas Southern, Alabama State, and Alcorn State. "The way we've played has shown us that we have overcome adversity. I don't know that it's an exact indication that we will overcome adversity. We've just shown that we have the ability to overcome it. That's something we've talk about all the time. During the course of a 60-minute ball game, you're going to have your fair share of adversities, whether it's weather, early scores, injuries. Whatever the case may be, we just have to keep playing. I think it's going to take more than just resiliency. It's going to take execution. I don't think we can dig ourselves a hole like we have in the past and just say we'll come back in the second half against a team of this caliber."
 
The Jaguars, currently tied with Grambling State, bring in a high-powered, bring an explosive offensive into Saturday's 1 p.m. game, averaging more than 465 yards per game and averaging more than 38 points per contest.
 
"We have to play hard and play fundamentally sound football," Simmons said. "Defensively, we have to get to the football. When you have a back like Lenard Tillery, and a receiver/returner like Willie Quinn that are explosive players, you have to rally to the football, and get 11 hats to the ball. We can't rely on one person to make the play, because they each can make the first person miss. We have to do a good job of play recognition and know where Quinn is at all times. It's a tall challenge. They have a three-man monster of QB Austin Howard, Tillery and Quinn, but that's not the only players they have. There are a lot of good players on offense, which is why they're having success."
 
The Panthers have adopted a playoff mindset for the last two ball games, understanding that to have any chance at postseason play, victory in each contest was a must. While tomorrow's contest is no different, Simmons expects an emotionally charged stadium in which 16 seniors will be honored in pregame and the PVAMU Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016 will be presented.
 
"It means a lot to have this game at home," Simmons said. "I know our fan base will do a great job of supporting us. I know Southern will travel extremely well. This is a rivalry game that means a lot to a lot of people. I expect Panther Nation to be in full support of this football team, getting behind us, making it hard for them to communicate. With our students section, our band, our fan base, I look forward to an electric environment and hopefully one that will give us a significant home field advantage."
 

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