Hornets Come Up Short in SWAC Opener to Prairie View, 24-15

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The Hornets took another crucial loss against the Panthers of Prairie View. In their first game of conference play, the team looks to lick its wounds as they continue with the season. The Panthers were able to score on their first drive as quarterback Trazon Connely found the endzone on a 16-yard rushing touchdown. The Hornets did not hesitate to respond as running back Jacory Merritt led the way torching the Panther defense. Merritt set the Hornets up in great field position for quarterback Dematrius Davis to throw a 19-yard touchdown to La’Vontae Shenault. the Panthers would block the PAT keeping the score at 7-6.

In the second quarter, Prairie View was able to get into good field position again, but Luis Reyes would miss the 38-yard field goal. With the ball in their hands, the Hornets drove down the field and made it all the way to the Prairie View 12-yard line. From there, the Hornets would fumble, and the Panthers recovered in Hornets territory. Conneely scored his second touchdown of the night on a two-yard rush increasing their lead to 14-6.

Coming out of the half, both teams tried to find some momentum. Alabama State made a field goal from the PV 31-yard line to cut the lead down to 14-9. The Panthers responded with a field goal of their own from the ASU 46-yard line as the lead grew to 17-9.

After a rushing touchdown from Santo Dunn was called back after holding the Hornets entered the fourth quarter, on 4th and goal, the Hornets failed to convert. With the Panthers moving the ball and running the clock they would attempt a 37-yard field goal to increase their lead by two possessions. Hornets defensive back Adrian Maddox blocked the field goal to gain some momentum on the sideline and bench.

At the Panthers’ 17-yard line Davis threw his third interception to Logan Jackson. Immediately Connely would throw an interception to Cail Jackson to keep hope alive for the Hornets. Alabama State would cut the lead down to two, making it 17-15, after a three-yard rushing touchdown by Jason Howell. The Hornets were unable to convert the two-point conversion.

After holding the Panther’s offense with under seven minutes left, the Hornets would get the ball back. Alabama State ran the ball three-straight plays, gaining just 25 yards to midfield. On the next play, Davis would be sacked and fumble to give the ball back to Prairie View. The Panthers put the game away when Connely connected with Chris Herron for a 20-yard touchdown making it 25-15.