PRAIRIE VIEW vs. TEXAS SOUTHERN: 40TH LABOR DAY CLASSIC GAME DAY NOTES

• The Labor Day Classic has rotated between both schools since it became a home-and-home affair in 2011. Since 1985, the game has been played at Delmar Stadium, Robertson Stadium, the Astrodome, NRG Stadium, Rice Stadium, Panther Stadium and Shell Energy Stadium.

• For the second straight year, the classic will feature a new face on the sidelines as PVAMU head coach Tremaine Jackson makes his PVAMU head coaching debut.

• Familiarity won't be an issue as PVAMU head coach Tremaine Jackson is a former student-athlete (2002-03) and coach at TSU (2008-11). The PVAMU coaching staff features two former TSU student-athletes in Trent Earley and Darrell Colbert and former TSU coaches in Darren Garrigan and Colbert.

• TSU had three players earn preseason All-SWAC Second Team honors in Trent Leary (WR), Damarcus Thompson (DE) and Jeremy Ramirez (P).

• After several years of offseason changes to the coaching staff, the Tigers finally had stability this offseason with no changes.

• Prairie View A&M has yet to lose inside Shell Energy Stadium since the series shifted to Downtown Houston in 2013. The 2023 edition saw PVAMU snatch a win from TSU in overtime as PVAMU is 6-0 all-time.

• TSU was picked to finish fourth in the SWAC during the annual SWAC Preseason Poll. TSU returns four offensive starters and two on defense.

• Injuries took a major toll for TSU last year as several key players return after season-ending injuries suffered during the Labor Day Classic in linebacker Jacob Williams and quarterback KJ Cooper. Two years ago, Williams was TSU's first 100-plus tackler since 2004 while Cooper led TSU to a Labor Day Classic win in 2024.

• The winner of the TSU-Prairie View A&M contest receives the traveling Nicks-Durley Trophy. Named after legendary head coaches at both schools, the trophy finally returned to Houston in 2024 after a nine-year stay on the PVAMU campus. TSU holds a 21-18 margin in the classic series (dating back to 1985).

• The first Labor Day Classic MVP, Darrel Colbert, is now the Director of Football Operations for Texas Southern.

VISITORS NOTES - PRAIRIE VIEW PANTHERS

The Prairie View A&M Panthers will kick off their 2025 football season against the Texas Southern Tigers on Saturday August 30, 2025. In the 40th Labor Day Classic held at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas

Under the guidance of new head coach Tremaine Jackson, the Panthers will enter the game with an unblemished record for the season, as will the Texas Southern Tigers, coached by Chris Dishman. The anticipation for this match is significant due to its nature as a season opener and a part of the Labor Day Classic, is a notable event in their schedule.

Despite their efforts, the game concluded unfavorably last season for the Panthers with a final score of 27-9, marking a tough start to their 2024 season. The historical challenge between these two teams was evident, each aiming to begin their season with a victory. Both teams were driven, but the Tigers managed to secure the lead and maintain it throughout the game last season

Looking forward, the Panthers will hope to utilize that experience to refine their strategies and performance in upcoming game. Coach Jackson and his team will look to get back to their win streak in this annual game.