PRAIRIE VIEW - Senior running back Dawonya Tucker scored three times on the ground as the Prairie View A&M football team took down Arkansas-Pine Bluff 37-20 in Southwestern Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Panther Stadium.
After a scoreless first, the Panthers offense came to life on the play making of quarterback Trazon Connely and the legs of Tucker, who capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive with an 8-yard scoring run for the game's first points with 12:28 remaining in the half.
Though the ensuing point-after attempt was blocked, the Panthers (4-5, 3-3 SWAC) continued to surge ahead after a missed field-goal attempt from UAPB. On the next drive, Connely found Jared Scott on a 32-yard gain to extend an eight-play, 77-yard march that Tucker finished with a 26-yard touchdown run.
After Amaury Martinez converted a chip-shot field goal to give the Panthers a 16-0 lead at the break, the Panthers extended their lead on the first possession after intermission, as Connely threw a 25-yard touchdown to tight end Jordan Jones.
UAPB responded with its first score of the game midway through the third, compliments of a 1-yard scoring plunge by Shannon Patrick. The Panthers answered with a 3-yard touchdown run by Tony Mullins in the fourth quarter to put a bow on a five-play, 43-yard drive.
The Golden Lions made a late charge with consecutive touchdowns, including a 77-yard pitch and catch from Patrick to Henry Ballard that made the game 30-20 with just under three minutes left, but Tucker ensured there would be no comeback, making a 49-yard scoring dash to paydirt on the Panthers' penultimate possession.
Tucker rushed for 91 yards on the day, while Connely threw for 188 yards and a score while rushing for 87 yards. Jones led all receivers with 119 yards on six grabs. Defensively, Reggie Stubblefield led PVAMU with nine stops, while Storey Jackson and Tre'Shaud Smith each made eight tackles and a sack.
The Panthers out-gained UAPB 211-119 on the ground.
Next Up:
Prairie View returns to action versus Edward Waters (Fla.) in its home finale. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 for senior night.
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