Prairie View vs. Texas Southern | 38th Labor Day Classic

TEXAS SOUTHERN - COACH MCKINNEY

Texas Southern has the most senior SWAC quarterback in Andrew Body, who is returning for his junior season with the Tigers.  The Corpus Christi native was predicted as the SWAC 2nd-team quarterback by the conference's coaches and sports information directors.  The backfield combo of running backs LaDarius Owens and Jacorey Howard will help balance offensive coordinator David Marsh's offensive attack.

"We're excited about this opportunity," Texas Southern head coach Clarence McKinney told HBCU Legends.  "It's a very big game to start the season.  It's the first game of the season and the first game in the SWAC.  So, yeah, it's a very exciting time right now."

PRAIRIE VIEW - COACH MCDOWELL

On Saturday night, Coach McDowell will have senior signal-caller Trazon Connley leading the Panthers against the Tigers.  One way to keep the Texas Southern offense off the field is to deploy a strong rushing attack.  Ahmad Antoine returns for his final season after displaying excellent rushing skills as a SWAC top-rusher in 2022 before a minor injury sidelined his progress.

"He's a powerful runner," Prairie View head coach Bubba McDowell remarked.  "And for him to come out this spring and this fall, and do what he did [last season]..., he's been awesome in that area."

Coach McDowell spoke about the challenges Andrew Body poses for the Panthers defense: "Oh, man, we know kind of guy he is man and dude is good.  He can run, he can throw big.  We just got to be able to keep this guy contained. You know, at some point, you're not going to stop it. He's just got to be contained throughout the course of the game.  Pick and choose where you want to contain him, and how you're going to do it.  Hopefully, we can come on successful on that end.  He's a great athlete.  Like I said, you're not going to stop [Andrew Body], but you can just try to slow him down a little bit."

Both teams are equally skilled and have matched abilities going into Week 1.  Our prediction: A CLOSE ONE! The crosstown tilt will go down to the final possessions.  Expect the Tigers to squeak out a close win from one of their freshman placekickers.  Finally, TSU will get the proverbial "monkey off their backs" and defeat the Panthers in front of a near-sellout crowd at home.

Prairie View A&M at Texas Southern University

• Where: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX
• When: Saturday, September, 2
• Time: 7 PM CT
• Broadcast/Radio: ESPN+/ Audio / Video

Players to Watch

TEXAS SOUTHERN

• QB Andrew Body, TSU: SWAC 2nd-Team Preseason Quarterback Selection. Third-straight season as the Tigers starting quarterback.
• RB LaDarius Owens, TSU
• RB Jacorey Howard, TSU

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

• QB Trazon Connley, PVAMU: 2-Straight season as starting quarterback for the Panthers.
• RB Ahmad Antoine, PVAMU

Ten things to know about the TSU-Prairie View A&M rivalry:

1. It's the 79th meeting between TSU and Prairie View A&M.
2. The Labor Day Classic began in 1985.
3. Texas Southern leads the series 44-33-1.
4. The series first game was won by TSU, 13-7, in 1947.
5. From 1989-2003, the Tigers won 14 in a row over the Panthers, the longest streak in the series.
6. Currently, Prairie View A&M has an eight-game winning streak over TSU.
7. Bubba McDowell is a second-year head coach after 12 seasons as an assistant defensive coach.
8. In 1958, 6-6 was the final score and only tied the score in the series.
9. The Labor Day Classic was rescheduled for the end of 2017 due to Hurricane Harvey.
10. The winner will hoist the Durley-Nicks Trophy. The award honors one of Texas Southern former head coach, Alexander Durley, and Prairie View's legendary former head coach, Billy Nicks. Nicks is a Black College Football Hall of Fame honoree.

Texas Southern will host the annual clash with Prairie View A&M at 7 PM CT in Shell Energy Stadium (Houston, TX) on Saturday, Sept. 2.