PRAIRIE VIEW – The Prairie View A&M University football team has spent the last two practices in shoulder pads and helmets.  PVAMU will be decked out in full pads on Wednesday morning when they hit the turf in Panther Stadium. 
 
The Panthers will hold three practices in full gear before facing its first scrimmage on Saturday at 9 a.m. 
 
Head PVAMU football coach Bubba McDowell expectations hasn't been exactly what he has anticipated going into full padded practice.
 
"We've had three good days out of five, but we are improving," he said.  "We just have to come out here and perform what we are learning in our meetings and on film on the field."
 
McDowell has several players on defense emerging as leaders.
 
"Troy James, who was named to the preseason All-SWAC second team has been showing his leadership," McDowell said.  "We also have Dante Carter along with Logan Jackson and Jamias Presley who have been stepping up in the secondary showing their veteran leadership.
 
Offensively there a multiple players who could play a big role.  Namely Trazon Connley, who has established himself as a leader both on the offense and defensive.
 
"There is a lot of competition with the offense, so there's no true starter, but Trazon is looked upon as a guy that the team looks up to as a leader," McDowell said.
 
The Panthers will return to practice at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
 
Tickets to watch the five-game home schedule are on sale online at pvpanthers.com/tickets.
 
Keep up with all the latest news and information for PVAMU athletics by following pvpanthers.com as well as through Twitter via the PVAMU general sports account (@PVAMUPanthers). You can also follow along on Instagram.com/pvamupanthers.