PRAIRIE VIEW, TX — Prairie View A&M University running back Jahbari Kuykendall has been named the SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week, while defensive back Malachi Williams has earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors following their performances in the 41st Annual Labor Day Classic against Texas Southern.

Kuykendall, a running back who made his biggest impact in the return game, provided the Panthers with an explosive performance on special teams. He recorded two kickoff returns for 110 yards, averaging 55.0 yards per return, including a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The 90-yard touchdown return gave Prairie View A&M a major momentum boost and showcased Kuykendall's speed, vision and ability to turn a routine kickoff into an explosive scoring play.

Kuykendall vs. Texas Southern

• 2 kickoff returns
• 110 kickoff return yards
• 55.0-yard average
• 1 kickoff return touchdown 
• 90-yard longest return

On the defensive side, Malachi Williams delivered a disruptive performance that earned him SWAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition.

Williams finished the contest with six total tackles, including five solo stops, while recording a game-high 3.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks for 15 yards. His ability to consistently penetrate the backfield created negative plays and applied pressure to the Texas Southern offense throughout the contest.

Williams vs. Texas Southern

• 6 total tackles
• 5 solo tackles
• 3.0 tackles for loss
• 15 tackles-for-loss yards
• 3.0 sacks
• 15 sack yards

Williams' three sacks and three tackles for loss highlighted a dominant defensive effort and helped set the tone for the Prairie View A&M defense during the annual rivalry matchup.

The weekly honors mark a strong individual showing for the Panthers following the Labor Day Classic, with Kuykendall providing an explosive special teams performance and Williams anchoring the defensive effort.

Both players will look to build on their performances as Prairie View A&M continues its 2026 football season.