Houston, TX -- When it comes to the Labor Day Classic, Prairie View A&M is proudly represented by its enthusiastic fans.
Unfortunately for the Panthers, their offensive output doesn't match their fan support.
For the third consecutive year, the Panthers failed to score in the Labor Day Classic, falling 17 -0 to Texas Southern on Saturday night at the Reliant Astrodome.
In 1999, TSU won 34-0 . Last year, the Tigers prevailed 42-0 .
The score was closer but the Tigers were always in control. That was mainly because of their defense, which returned 10 starters from last year's 8-3 team.
Prairie View A&M hung in for three quarters. The game's only points in that span was a 23-yard, first-quarter field goal by Vince Patrick.
TSU's vaunted defense lived up to its billing on a night the offense struggled a bit.
TSU put the game out of reach with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. On the first play of the fourth period, quarterback Adam Lamb connected on a three-yard scoring pass to Cortez Hankton. On TSU's next possession, Lamb scored from a yard out.
It made little difference if the Panthers tried to run or pass. They had only two real scoring threats, and both went by the wayside.
After reaching TSU's 11-yard line and down only 3 -0 in the third quarter, the Panthers missed a 30-yard field-goal try. On their next possession, backup quarterback Deshun Baker overthrew wide-open Deontay Wilson on TSU's 22-yard line.
The Panthers had advanced to TSU's 11 on a 38-yard pass from Jamaal Foster to Wilson. But as it had all night, the TSU defense tightened and the Panthers elected to go for a field goal on fourth-and-12. Freshman Charles McCall's 30-yard attempt was a low liner and wide left.
The first half was full of miscues and missed opportunities for both teams as the only points came on Patrick's 23-yard field goal with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter.
TSU had a 158-45 edge in total yards in the first half but only a 3 -0 lead.
TSU missed two field-goal opportunities in the opening half, including a 30-yard attempt as the half expired.
Patrick's kick never had a chance as Daniel Blanson, a freshman from Nimitz, tipped the ball.
Earlier in the second quarter, Patrick was wide right on a 21-yard field-goal attempt.
With a promise of opening-up its offense, Prairie View A&M couldn't get untracked in the first half. In eight possessions, the Panthers had five punts, one lost fumble, one interception and one punt block.
On their first four possessions it was three plays and out for the Panthers, who managed only two first-half first downs.
Prairie View A&M's initial first down came with 13:36 remaining in the second quarter when Reginald Robinson gained 21 yards on a misdirection play.
The Tigers return to action, 7:05 p.m., Saturday, September 8 against Texas-El Paso in El Paso, TX.
