For the first time in 12 years, Prairie View A&M University football team is being recognized nationally for the hard work and dedication they are putting in on the field this year.

On Monday, the Panthers made their way onto the NCAA FCS Top 25 poll at No. 24. Prairie View currently leads the Western Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at 7-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play heading into this week’s game against Alcorn State.

“These young men and the coaches give it their all,” said head coach Eric Dooley when informed by the SWAC communications department of his team’s accomplishment. “They sacrifice a whole lot.”

This is the second time in school history that Prairie View has been ranked in the FCS Top 25. In 2009, the Panthers were ranked as high as No. 15 after going 9-1 overall and undefeated in conference play at 9-0. They finished the 2009 campaign with their first SWAC Championship in 45 seasons.

Prairie View extended their current win streak to six games after defeating Alabama State on Saturday in front of a homecoming crowd that included over 200-plus football recruits at Blackshear Field.

The Panthers will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi.