inage via Chris Barber
Southern University delivered a clutch performance on both sides of the football, rallying to defeat Prairie View A&M 28-14 on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
The Jaguars (3-4, 1-2 SWAC) scored 21 unanswered points after trailing 14-7, using explosive passing plays, a powerful fourth-quarter rushing attack and a game-sealing defensive touchdown to secure the victory.
Damien Henderson Jr. hauled in two touchdown receptions for 115 yards, Trey Holly rushed for 121 yards and the go-ahead touchdown, and Herman Brister III delivered a standout defensive performance with 10 tackles, two interceptions and a 47-yard pick-six.
Southern’s defense also recorded a fumble recovery as the Jaguars forced four turnovers against the Panthers.
Prairie View A&M (2-5, 2-2 SWAC) kept the game competitive through three quarters, but Southern’s execution down the stretch proved decisive.
Southern vs. Prairie View A&M: Final Score
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Southern University | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Prairie View A&M | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
How Southern Defeated Prairie View A&M
First Quarter: Henderson Opens the Scoring
Southern struck first with an explosive passing play late in the opening quarter.
With 1:43 remaining, quarterback Christian Johnson connected with Henderson Jr. for a 69-yard touchdown reception. Chris McKenna converted the extra point to give the Jaguars a 7-0 lead.
The six-play, 75-yard scoring drive took 3:32 off the clock and gave Southern early momentum.
Second Quarter: Prairie View Answers
Prairie View A&M responded in the second quarter when Chase Bingmon scored on a 5-yard rushing touchdown with 10:33 remaining.
Ethan Eddins converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7, and the score remained even heading into halftime.
Third Quarter: The Panthers Take the Lead
Prairie View opened the second half with a quick scoring strike.
On the Panthers’ first scoring opportunity of the third quarter, quarterback Tevin Carter found Damien McDaniel for a 48-yard touchdown reception just 21 seconds into the period. Eddins’ extra point gave Prairie View a 14-7 advantage.
Southern answered with another big play from Johnson and Henderson.
With 1:33 remaining in the quarter, Johnson connected with Henderson for a 46-yard touchdown pass. McKenna’s extra point tied the game at 14-14.
Henderson’s second touchdown reception of the afternoon completed his two-catch, 115-yard performance.
Fourth Quarter: Jaguars Finish Strong
Southern took control in the fourth quarter with a methodical scoring drive.
Holly capped a 13-play, 89-yard possession with a 30-yard rushing touchdown at the 7:00 mark. The drive consumed 5:59, gave Southern a 21-14 lead and put pressure on Prairie View to respond.
The Jaguars’ defense delivered the final blow with 15 seconds remaining.
Brister III intercepted a Prairie View pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown. McKenna converted the extra point to secure the 28-14 victory.
Southern’s final two scores turned a tied game into a decisive conference win.
Southern University Player Standouts
Damien Henderson Jr. — Wide Receiver
Henderson was Southern’s biggest downfield threat, finishing with two receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
His 69-yard touchdown in the first quarter gave the Jaguars an early lead, while his 46-yard score in the third quarter brought Southern back even after Prairie View moved ahead.
Henderson averaged 57.5 yards per reception, making both catches count in a game where Southern completed just nine passes.
Trey Holly — Running Back
Holly powered Southern’s ground attack with 121 rushing yards on 29 carries and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
His 30-yard scoring run gave the Jaguars a lead they would not relinquish. Holly’s production helped Southern finish with 182 team rushing yards while controlling possession for more than 33 minutes.
Herman Brister III — Defensive Back
Brister was a game-changer on defense, recording 10 tackles and two interceptions.
His 47-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory and highlighted a defensive performance that helped Southern force four turnovers.
Southern finished with three interceptions and one fumble recovery, while committing no turnovers of its own.
Christian Johnson — Quarterback
Johnson finished with 207 passing yards, two touchdown passes and no interceptions. He also contributed 34 rushing yards.
His two scoring connections with Henderson provided the Jaguars’ primary explosive plays through the air.
Prairie View A&M Player Highlights
Damien McDaniel — Wide Receiver
McDaniel gave Prairie View the lead early in the third quarter with a 48-yard touchdown reception from Tevin Carter.
The explosive play put the Panthers ahead 14-7, although Southern answered later in the period.
Chase Bingmon — Running Back
Bingmon scored Prairie View’s only rushing touchdown, finding the end zone on a 5-yard run in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.
Tevin Carter — Quarterback
Carter connected with McDaniel for the Panthers’ 48-yard touchdown, helping Prairie View take its only lead of the afternoon.
However, Southern’s defense came up with three interceptions and limited Prairie View to 179 net passing yards.
Southern vs. Prairie View A&M: Complete Team Statistics
| Statistic | Southern | Prairie View A&M |
| First Downs | 17 | 18 |
| Rushing Yards | 182 | 183 |
| Rushing Attempts | 49 | 35 |
| Average Per Rush | 3.7 | 5.2 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Passing Yards | 207 | 179 |
| Completions/Attempts | 9/22 | 20/33 |
| Completion Percentage | 40.9% | 60.6% |
| Passing Touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 0 | 3 |
| Total Offensive Yards | 389 | 362 |
| Total Plays | 71 | 68 |
| Yards Per Play | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| Penalties-Yards | 3-15 | 4-35 |
| Time of Possession | 33:36 | 24:54 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 8/19 | 3/12 |
| Fourth-Down Conversions | 0/2 | 0/1 |
| Sacks | 0 | 1 |
| Interceptions Recorded | 3 | 0 |
Note: Team rushing and passing figures are net yardage totals from the official box score.
Three Key Factors Behind Southern’s Victory
1. The Turnover Battle
Southern forced four turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble recovery, without giving the ball away.
Brister’s late pick-six was the defining defensive play, but the Jaguars’ ability to disrupt Prairie View’s offense throughout the game helped create the opportunity for a comeback.
2. Explosive Passing Plays
Southern completed only nine passes, but two went for touchdowns of 69 and 46 yards.
Henderson’s 115 receiving yards accounted for more than half of Johnson’s 207 passing yards. The connection provided a critical counter to Prairie View’s rushing production.
3. Fourth-Quarter Execution
Southern and Prairie View entered the fourth quarter tied at 14. The Jaguars then put together an 89-yard scoring drive, with Holly’s 30-yard touchdown putting Southern ahead.
Brister’s interception return ended Prairie View’s hopes of a late comeback and completed Southern’s 21-point run after the Panthers had taken a 14-7 lead.
What the Statistics Reveal
Prairie View finished with one more first down and one more rushing yard than Southern. The Panthers also completed more passes and averaged more yards per rushing attempt.
However, the Jaguars finished with 389 total offensive yards to Prairie View’s 362 and controlled possession for 8:42 longer.
The biggest statistical difference was turnovers. Southern’s three interceptions and fumble recovery helped offset Prairie View’s efficiency on the ground.
Southern also converted eight of 19 third downs, compared with three of 12 for the Panthers. Those conversions helped the Jaguars sustain drives and keep Prairie View’s offense off the field.
What the Win Means for the SWAC
The victory moves Southern University to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in SWAC play. Prairie View A&M falls to 2-5 overall and 2-2 in conference action.
For Southern, the win provides a boost after a challenging start to the season. The Jaguars demonstrated that their defense can create game-changing opportunities while their offense can deliver explosive plays when needed.
Prairie View will look to regroup after a performance in which its rushing attack remained productive but three interceptions and a late defensive touchdown proved costly.
Final Takeaway
Southern University’s 28-14 victory was a complete team effort, built on explosive receiving plays, a productive ground game and a defense that repeatedly took the football away.
Henderson supplied the highlight-reel touchdowns, Holly delivered the go-ahead score and Brister put the game away with a 47-yard pick-six.
The Jaguars did not lead in every statistical category, but they won the most important battles: turnovers, possession and fourth-quarter execution- and ultimately, the final score.
Final question for HBCU football fans: What impressed you most about Southern’s win — Damien Henderson Jr.‘s two explosive touchdown catches, Trey Holly’s 121 rushing yards or Herman Brister III’s game-sealing pick-six?
Let us know in the comments.
