COMMERCE, Texas — Prairie View A&M football returns to the road Saturday evening looking to build on the momentum of its dramatic Homecoming victory when the Panthers face East Texas A&M at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
But this meeting carries something new with it.
For the first time, Prairie View A&M and East Texas A&M will battle for the Big Cat Cup, a newly established trophy that adds another layer of significance to a series that dates back more than 50 years.
The Panthers enter Saturday's matchup at 3-5 overall after defeating Alcorn State 41-38 last Saturday at Panther Stadium at Blackshear Field. Prairie View A&M overcame multiple lead changes and a fourth-quarter deficit before Ethan Eddins delivered the game-winning 37-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining.
Now, the Panthers travel to Commerce with the opportunity to claim the inaugural Big Cat Cup and establish themselves as the first winner of the new rivalry trophy.
BIG CAT CUP MAKES ITS DEBUT
Saturday's matchup introduces a new tradition between two programs with a lengthy history.
The Big Cat Cup will be awarded to the winner of the Prairie View A&M-East Texas A&M matchup, giving the annual meeting a new trophy to compete for as the programs continue to build their rivalry.
The matchup between the Panthers and Lions dates back to 1974, when East Texas State defeated Prairie View A&M 26-0 in Dallas. The teams met four consecutive years from 1974-77 before the series returned in 2024.
The 2024 meeting produced a memorable Prairie View A&M comeback. Playing at Panther Stadium, the Panthers erased a 14-point deficit and defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 34-27.
Now the series moves to Commerce for the first time since its return, with the inaugural Big Cat Cup adding another storyline to Saturday night's contest.
The trophy provides both programs with an opportunity to begin a new tradition while adding another chapter to a series that already spans generations.
PANTHERS COMING OFF A HOMECOMING THRILLER
Prairie View A&M enters Saturday's matchup following one of its most exciting victories of the season.
The Panthers and Alcorn State combined for 79 points and five lead changes in a back-and-forth contest that came down to the final minutes. Prairie View A&M jumped out to an early advantage before the Braves battled back and eventually took a 35-31 lead in the third quarter.
Quarterback Tevin Carter responded with an 18-yard touchdown run with 11:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, putting Prairie View A&M back in front, 38-35. Alcorn State later tied the game at 38-38, setting the stage for Eddins and the Panthers' final possession.
Prairie View A&M marched 47 yards on seven plays during a drive that consumed 4:59. Eddins then connected from 37 yards with 1:56 remaining to give the Panthers the lead for good.
The defense completed the job on the final possession, stopping Alcorn State and allowing Prairie View A&M to secure the 41-38 victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 15,189.
CARTER TAKES COMMAND
Carter enters Saturday's contest following a four-touchdown performance against Alcorn State.
The quarterback completed 14 of 18 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns while adding 80 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Carter's ability to make plays with both his arm and legs was instrumental in the Panthers' comeback.
His 54-yard touchdown run in the first quarter provided one of the game's biggest explosive plays, while his 18-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter gave Prairie View A&M another lead.
Carter also connected with Rodny Ojo for a 21-yard touchdown and found Ethan John for a 26-yard scoring strike.
Through eight games, Carter has completed 133 of 207 passes for 1,279 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has completed 64.3 percent of his attempts and has added 429 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
KUYKENDALL BRINGS THE EXPLOSION
Jahbari Kuykendall provides Prairie View A&M with a dynamic weapon capable of changing the game in multiple phases.
Kuykendall rushed for 89 yards on 10 carries against Alcorn State, averaging 8.9 yards per attempt. His production helped the Panthers finish with 235 rushing yards and 6.0 yards per carry.
Through six games, Kuykendall has rushed for 328 yards on 46 carries while averaging 7.1 yards per attempt. He has also contributed 68 receiving yards and 323 kickoff-return yards for 719 all-purpose yards.
His versatility has made him one of the Panthers' most dangerous weapons. Kuykendall has averaged 32.3 yards per kickoff return this season and owns a 90-yard long return.
EDDINS COMES THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH
Ethan Eddins enters Saturday's contest after earning SWAC Specialist of the Week honors following his performance against Alcorn State.
Eddins connected on a 37-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Prairie View A&M the lead. The kick marked a season best for the newcomer and capped a clutch performance in the kicking game.
He also connected on a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, finishing the contest 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts.
Eddins handled seven kickoffs for 439 yards, averaging 62.7 yards per attempt, with four touchbacks.
Through eight games, he has converted nine of 11 field-goal attempts and is a perfect 23-for-23 on extra points.
GUCAKE LEADS THE DEFENSE
Malik Gucake made one of the game's biggest plays against Alcorn State when he recovered a fumble and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown with 13:12 remaining in the first quarter.
Gucake finished with eight tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Rondell Carter added six tackles and a fumble recovery, while Matthew Moore recorded a sack and 1.0 tackle for loss.
The Panthers will look for another opportunistic defensive effort as they attempt to slow East Texas A&M and claim the first Big Cat Cup.
A SERIES READY FOR A NEW CHAPTER
East Texas A&M leads the all-time series 4-1, with the first four meetings coming between 1974 and 1977 when the Lions were known as East Texas State.
East Texas State won the first four contests, including a 26-0 victory in 1974, a 42-19 win in 1975, a 35-27 victory in 1976 and a 38-10 decision in 1977.
The series returned in 2024, and Prairie View A&M immediately changed the storyline.
Playing at Panther Stadium, the Panthers overcame a 14-point deficit and defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 34-27. Prairie View A&M produced 395 yards of total offense and averaged 7.7 yards per play while forcing three turnovers.
Saturday's game represents the first time Prairie View A&M has traveled to Commerce since the series resumed.
More importantly, it represents the first opportunity for either program to put its name on the Big Cat Cup.
BY THE NUMBERS
1 — The inaugural Big Cat Cup to be awarded to the winner of Saturday's matchup.
4-1 — East Texas A&M's lead in the all-time series.
34-27 — Prairie View A&M's victory in the most recent meeting in 2024.
235 — Prairie View A&M rushing yards against Alcorn State last Saturday.
89 — Rushing yards by Kuykendall against Alcorn State.
61 — Yards on Gucake's fumble-return touchdown.
37 — Yards on Eddins' game-winning field goal.
1:56 — Time remaining when Eddins delivered the winning kick.
719 — Kuykendall's all-purpose yards through six games.
1,708 — Carter's total offensive yards through eight games.
GAMEDAY
Prairie View A&M and East Texas A&M kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Commerce.
The Panthers arrive looking to carry the momentum of last week's dramatic Homecoming victory into a new chapter of the series.
With the inaugural Big Cat Cup on the line, Prairie View A&M will look to make history, claim the new trophy and leave Commerce with another victory over East Texas A&M.
