Story by
The Herald Banner, Greenville, Texas
Prairie View A&M holds off East Texas A&M, 30-19
- Story byThe Herald Banner, Greenville, Texas
- Prairie View A&M holds off East Texas A&M, 30-19
COMMERCE — East Texas A&M mounted a fourth-quarter rally Saturday, scoring twice in quick succession to pull within five points of Prairie View A&M.
But the Panthers answered with a 52-yard touchdown run by Chase Bingmon to secure a 30-19 victory and win the inaugural Big Cat Cup at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium.
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The loss dropped the Lions to 2-6, while Prairie View improved to 4-5.
ETAMU took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a pair of field goals by Ozlo Rigby, who connected from 27 and 26 yards.
Prairie View responded in the second quarter. Bingmon scored on a 2-yard run and Tevin Carter threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Rodny Ojo as the Panthers took a 14-6 lead into halftime.
Ethan Eddins added a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Carter connected with Ojo for another touchdown early in the fourth to extend Prairie View's advantage to 24-6.
The Lions then made their push.
Reese Mooney threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Micah Simpson, and ETAMU recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Panthers' 24-yard line. On the first play, Mooney connected with Andrez Lewis for another touchdown.
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The Lions failed on two-point conversion, leaving Prairie View ahead 24-19. Bingmon ended the rally on the Panthers' next possession, breaking free for a 52-yard touchdown run to account for the final points.
Mooney completed 31 of 52 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start for ETAMU. Simpson caught 10 passes for 90 yards.
Orion Kupu led the Lions' defense with 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Anthony Gray forced a fumble recovered by Salehe Koonookah-Williams.
ETAMU hosts Southeastern next Saturday at 3 p.m.
SARA CARPENTER
