Prairie View A&M University football returns home to face two-time defending SWAC Champion Alcorn State Saturday at 1 p.m. at Panther Stadium.
 
It's Houston Methodist Day at the game, as the first 1,000 fans will receive pom-poms at the game, which will be video streamed live on ESPN3.com. The radio broadcast on KPVU 91.3 FM begins with the pregame show at 12:30 pm.
 
The Panthers (5-3 overall, 5-1 SWAC) and Braves (3-4, 3-3) face off with each team having postseason aspirations. Prairie View A&M looks to keep the pressure on SWAC West Co-Leaders Grambling and Southern, while Alcorn is currently tied with Jackson State in the SWAC East. 
 
"That's the most important thing, that we're still playing for something," said second-year PVAMU head coach Willie Simmons of his team playing meaningful football games in November. "As long as we can continue that, every game is going to be exciting. It's always great to play at home in front of our home crowd. We look forward to another great crowd supporting our guys. We're excited to be back at home, and hope to keep our tradition going of not having lost at home. That's a goal we've set for ourselves, and we look forward to the challenge to continue that."
 
In last year's meeting, Nick Brewer blocked two punts, both returned for touchdowns in a 40-34 win. In 2014 in the final game at Blackshear Field, Brewer blocked a field goal that was returned by Joshua Holley for a touchdown.
 
"I thought it was a good week of practice," Simmons said. "The guys had a lot of energy. We worked on a lot of fundamental things, and I thought we got better in the special teams area. The last two years, special teams have been a real big key in the Alcorn-Prairie View game, and we expect it to be the same this year. We put a heavy emphasis on special teams, and I thought the guys did a good job of focusing in and blocking out the outside distractions of being at home."
 
QB Lenorris Footman was a second-team preseason All-SWAC selection, and will be a focal point of the Braves' offense, accounting for nearly 1,200 yards total offense.
 
"The key is to try to make them one dimensional," Simmons said. "They are a team that prides itself on being able to run the football. For us, it's about limiting their offensive success in the run game. Making tackles, running to the football, having good gap integrity, and everyone doing their job. Last year we got hurt when he had some missed assignments, and they hit some big plays on us in the running game. If we can play sound and get to the football, we have a better chance of slowing them down."
 
Linebacker Darien Anderson's 8.5 sacks are second in the nation, but he's one of several key players on the Braves' defense.
 
"You have to know where he's lining up, but they also have a really good defensive front," Simmons said. "Stacey Garner and Michael Brooks are two big time defensive ends, long athletic guys who have played good football for them for a long time. I think that helps Darien more than anything else. As teams have focused their attention on the two ends, he's a savvy player and has created matchups to generate sacks. You have to have a plan to neutralize the defense ends, but also know where 44 is at all times."
 

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