PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Expectations were high when Tremaine Jackson was named head football coach at Prairie View A&M, but few could have predicted just how quickly the Panthers would ascend to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
In his first season leading the program, Jackson guided Prairie View A&M to one of the most successful campaigns in school history. The Panthers finished 10-4 overall, captured the SWAC Championship, earned the program's first Celebration Bowl appearance, and recorded the school's first 10-win season since 1963.
Prairie View's success was built on a balanced offensive attack, a relentless defense, and a roster that embraced Jackson's culture of discipline, accountability, and championship expectations from day one.
The Panthers emerged as one of the SWAC's most explosive offenses behind the play of quarterback Cameron Peters. The dual-threat signal caller completed 186 passes for 2,798 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 525 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. His leadership and playmaking ability helped Prairie View consistently produce in critical situations throughout the season.
The rushing attack featured one of the nation's top freshmen in Chase Bingmon. The Jerry Rice Award finalist rushed for 873 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He was joined by Lamagea McDowell, who added 498 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, giving the Panthers a powerful one-two punch in the backfield.
Through the air, Jyzaiah Rockwell established himself as one of the premier receivers in the conference. The First Team All-SWAC selection hauled in 74 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns while routinely delivering big plays in key moments. Andre Dennis added 527 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while Rodny Ojo and Cameron Bonner provided additional explosive options in the passing game.
Defensively, the Panthers developed into one of the conference's most complete units. Travor Randle led the team with 99 tackles and three interceptions on his way to First Team All-SWAC honors. Darrell Starling Jr. finished with 81 tackles and was instrumental in Prairie View's championship run, while Kamren Amao, Kennedy Parker, Sterling Roberts, Malik Gucake, and Eric Zachery consistently made impact plays throughout the season.
The Panthers' remarkable season earned national attention. Bingmon was named one of 25 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, presented annually to the nation's top freshman in FCS football, while Jackson was selected as one of 15 finalists for the prestigious Eddie Robinson Award, recognizing the FCS National Coach of the Year.
As conference play unfolded, Prairie View established itself as a championship contender, finishing the regular season with a 9-3 overall record and a 7-1 mark in SWAC action. The Panthers secured the SWAC West Division title and closed the regular season in dominant fashion, defeating Mississippi Valley State 59-6 to earn a berth in the conference championship game.
The postseason brought even more milestones.
Prairie View placed seven players on the All-SWAC teams, highlighted by First Team selections Calvin McMillian, Jyzaiah Rockwell, and Travor Randle. Chase Bingmon, Travon Jones, Malik Gucake, and Eric Zachery earned Second Team recognition.
The Panthers then traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, to face Jackson State in the 2025 SWAC Championship Game. In one of the season's defining performances, Prairie View defeated the Tigers 23-21 to claim its first conference championship since 2009.
Peters was named the game's Offensive MVP after throwing for 294 yards and rushing for 100 more, while Starling earned Defensive MVP honors after recording eight tackles, a tackle for loss, a half sack, and an interception. The Panthers controlled the contest from start to finish, outgaining Jackson State 424-244 while holding the Tigers to just 84 rushing yards.
The victory sent Prairie View A&M to Atlanta for its first-ever appearance in the Cricket Celebration Bowl and an opportunity to compete for the HBCU National Championship.
On college football's biggest HBCU stage, the Panthers delivered another unforgettable performance against South Carolina State. Prairie View built a 21-point lead and battled through four overtimes before ultimately falling 40-38 in one of the most thrilling games in Celebration Bowl history.
Peters etched his name into the record books, setting a new Celebration Bowl record with 412 passing yards while throwing four touchdowns and adding another score on the ground. Dennis finished with 131 receiving yards and a touchdown, Bonner added a 78-yard touchdown reception, and Roberts paced the defense with 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Although the season ended one victory shy of a national championship, the accomplishments of the 2025 Panthers will be remembered for years to come.
Under Jackson's leadership, Prairie View A&M reclaimed its place among the elite programs in the SWAC, captured a conference title, earned national recognition, and reached heights the program had not seen in decades. The season served as a powerful statement that Panther Football is once again a force on the national stage, and the future remains exceptionally bright in Prairie View.
