Football Preview: Prairie View A&M
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Despite possessing the second most amount of wins in the conference since 2007 with 72, the Prairie View A&M football program experienced a less than fully satisfied 2017 season where the Panthers held championship aspirations and finished one game worse than it did from the prior season.
Enter new coach Eric Dooley. While new to the head coaching scene, Dooley is no stranger to winning SWAC football, having won seven combined SWAC championships as a player at Grambling State and as an assistant coach with stops at Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State.
Prairie View will have to adopt a strong road warrior mentality from the start as the Panthers will play their first six games away and will not see Blackshear Field for a home contest until Oct. 13. Substantial tests await with games at Rice on Aug. 25, against North Carolina Central in the MEAC/Challenge on ESPN2 on Sept. 2, at Sam Houston State on Sept. 8, at UNLV on Sept. 15, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 22 and vs. Grambling State in the State Fair Classic in Dallas on Sept. 29.
Ranking third in the conference in points per game last season with 30.0, the Panthers do return seven starters to their high-powered offense.
Under center, the Panthers have two quarterbacks with game experience. Senior Lavell McCullers totaled better than 1,100 yards and six touchdowns while Jalen Morton threw for a touchdown, saw time at wide receiver and also started four games at QB as a freshman in 2016 and threw for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Dawonya Tucker (5-6, 175) is a leading candidate to carry the mail as evidenced by his 5.9 yards per tote average. There will be a large void to fill in the wideout corps as Khadarel Hodge (signed with the Los Angeles Rams). Tristan Wallace, a 6-3, 235-pound transfer from Oregon, as well as Tulane transfer Chris Thomas (6-2, 195) could fit that bill.
On defense, Prairie View will look to lower their defensive points allowed per game (25.0 ppg, good for fourth in the SWAC) largely with a new cast. Only four starters return on defense, but linebacker Anthony Stubbs (6-1, 225) and defensive back Ju’Anthony Park (5-11, 165) are both All-SWAC caliber players.
On the line, Dooley has raved about the prospects of Ronald Collins (6-1, 290), who was described as having a “great spring, worked extremely hard and takes care of his body.” Jermaine Jackson (6-1, 280) has solid size and showed quick hands. Malachi Jean (6-1, 350), Stephen Scott (6-2, 280) and Willie Green (6-3, 245) each provide experience.
Head coach: Eric Dooley; Record at PVAM 0-0 (first year); Overall 0-0 (first year).
2017 record and finish: 6-5 overall, 4-3 SWAC (Third in the SWAC West Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Lavell McCullers (72-of-145, 907 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT)
Rushing: Dawonya Tucker (89 carries, 531 yards, 5 TD)
Receiving: Markcus Hardy (14 receptions, 280 yards, 3 TD)
Tackles: Anthony Stubbs (70)
Sacks: Stubbs (5.5)
Interceptions: Ju’Anthony Parker (4)
Potential game breaker: Wallace has undeniable size at 6-3 and 235 pounds and showed the penchant for the making the big play at Trinity Valley Community College, where he broke off 16.3 yards per reception with eight touchdowns including one 100-yard game and a pair of two touchdown game performances. Redshirted as a freshman with Oregon, the talent is there. Dooley has said that he’s worked hard in the spring, both on the field and in the classroom.