HBCUs usually do not get the love and respect that they deserve on the the football field, but we are here to change that. Along side the big game in Dallas, two HBCUs will be playing a gridiron classic of their own.
The Meac vs Swac Challenge will be taking place in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend at Georgia State University stadium. The two teams in this matchup are Prairie View A&M Panthers vs North Carolina Central University.
This game comes only one week from Prairie View’s almost upset of FBS team Rice. The game was close at the end, but the Panthers had to comeback from behind to take the lead over Rice in the 2nd. Rice was able to stop the upset by scoring a few more time in the 4th to make the score 31-28.
Tristan Wallace played quarterback at DeSoto. Safe to say he’s going to make life hard for the SWAC. And Rice in the second half.
His score puts the @PVAMUFootball up 21-19 at the break. #Orangeslices pic.twitter.com/7UAKrvhilZ
— SWC Round-Up (@swcroundup) August 26, 2018
Prairie View has started to build for the future by hiring an Offensive minded Coach, Eric Dooley in December. The Panthers are building for the future, and after a close loss to an FBS opponent in week 0, the Panthers look like they are ready to begin the climb to the top. Dooley comes from HBCU power, Grambling State. He help lead the Grambling Tigers to a HBCU National Title in 2016 as the offensive coordinator.
#pvamufootball @adidas pic.twitter.com/WtByjkny7p
— PVAMU Panthers (@PVAMUPanthers) August 17, 2018
Prairie View offense was very hard to stop last week; throwing for 244 yards and rushing for 140 yards (stats Via ESPN). The Panthers moved the ball well, but the defense might need some work. But, the Panthers will not have to deal with an FBS like running game anytime soon. Because of that effort displayed last week in a close loss, the Panthers have a great shot to make some noise this week especially in those clean new uniforms created by Adidas
While Prairie View will be coming into Sunday’s game with so much momentum, NC Central is not a team to be over looked.
The Eagles are also looking to rebound from a 7-4 season in 2017. The Eagles were competitive in most games, but as the year went on, games they should have won they loss.
Can you hear the band?! Smell The Turf!? 4 DAYS LEFT AND WE CANNOT STOP DANCING! @MEAC_SWAC #NCCUFootball is just around the corner. #OneFamilyOneTeam pic.twitter.com/oEDMzvriYZ
— NCCU Football (@NCCU_Football) August 29, 2018
The Eagles promoted Granville Eastmen from with-in for the 2018 season. This will be Eastmen’s opportunity to win the job full-time. The Eagles are looking to make this season a redemption season as they finished towards the bottom of the Meac conference last season.
One of The Last Practices Before we head off to the @MEAC_SWAC Tomorrow Morning. 3 Days Left, and dancing with joy. pic.twitter.com/FmICZfawCr
— NCCU Football (@NCCU_Football) August 30, 2018
The Eagles return one of the best defensive players in the history of HBCU football in Cornerback Davanta Reynold. He will be tasked at stopping an Panthers offense that put up 28 points on FBS Rice.
(Featured Image credit: 4Search.com)