Prairie View A&M (5-1, 4-0 SWAC) used a steady combination of scoring and defense to defeat Bethune Cookman (0-7, 0-4 SWAC) on Saturday by a score of 35-29.

The Panthers got on the board early when quarterback Jawon Pass threw a 63-yard strike to freshman wide receiver Trejon Spiller to put the Panthers up 7-0 in the first quarter. Bethune Cookman responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter from Devin Black to Kemari Averett. The Wildcats would take an early 8-7 lead when they converted their two-point conversion attempt.

That would be the last lead Bethune Cookman would hold, as Prairie View took control of the game right before the half when Jawon Pass threw his second touchdown pass to Jailon Howard for 59-yards to give the Panthers a 14-8 lead at halftime.

One thing that has stood out for the Panthers this year has been the defense which is amongst the best in the SWAC. On Saturday, they came up with two huge turnovers in the second half, that helped Prairie View seal the victory.

Defensive back Bryce Turner returned a Wildcats field goal attempt midway through the third quarter 71-yards for a touchdown after teammate Troy James was able to get his hands on the attempt by kicker Dylan Moghaddam.

Bethune Cookman would score on their next offensive possession to cut the score to 21-15. Prairie View’s next drive resulted in a punt, and the Wildcats gained some momentum heading into the fourth quarter with possession of the ball.

After two big plays for first downs to start the final period, Bethune Cookman got greedy and tried to test the Panthers defensive back Drake Cheatum. It ended up being the wrong move as the senior intercepted the pass and returned it 68-yards for the Panthers' second pick-six of the season.

"Not to take away anything from PVAMU, but we made mistakes that cost us points and put them in position to score,” said Bethune Cookman head coach Terry Sims. “You can't do that and expect to win.”

Down by two scores, the Wildcats responded with a rushing touchdown to cut the lead to six, but Prairie View would march right back down the field as Pass and Spiller connected for the second time on the day with a 30-yard touchdown pass to put the Panthers up 35-22.

Bethune Cookman scored on their next possession to get within one score, but the Panthers would run out the remaining 3:57 of the fourth quarter with a drive that started at their own 28 and would finish at the Wildcats 11-yard line.

Prairie View will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Baton Rouge to take on Southern University.