HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – It was a different week at practice for Prairie View A&M University football.
 
For the first time in nearly a year, the Panthers returned to the practice field following a loss in a game. The response? Extremely positive and focused as Prairie View A&M (1-1 overall, 1-0 SWAC) arrives in Huntsville for Saturday's 6 p.m. Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Alabama A&M (1-1, 1-0). The live radio broadcast on KPVU 91.3 FM begins with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.
 
"I thought they responded pretty well," second-year head coach Willie Simmons said. "From the beginning of the week, it was spirited. We did a good job of getting to know our opponent well, especially in key situations, and polished up the game plan at the end of the week. I believe the guys are focused and hungry. I think we'll come out Saturday with a spirited effort."
 
The Bulldogs got into the win column last week with a 35-16 win at Mississippi Valley St. The Panthers and Alabama A&M have played very three highly competitive and entertaining games in the past three years, all won by PVAMU by a combined total of nine points, including last year's 53-49 win in the home debut of Simmons as Panthers' head coach. Simmons would like his team offensively to pick up where it left off from that contest in the early going tomorrow night.
 
"We've got to start fast," said Simmons. "Offensively, we have to get back to great tempo and get back to running the football. We haven't been able to establish the run in the first two games. Defensively, we've got to continue to be opportunistic (already a SWAC-high five sacks, five takeaways), but limit the big plays. We've done a good job defending the run, but we've been lapsed in pass coverage at times. On special teams, we have to take advantage of situations. We've got to make field goals and kicks when the opportunity presents itself, and we've got to cover well and really have an impact in that phase of the game."

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