Opening weekend at the State Fair of Texas means ONE thing…The State Fair Classic! It’s a family reunion, a class reunion, a kickback and concert all in one! This year’s battle featured a WWE Belt in addition to annual bragging rights! The Panthers of Prairie View A&M emerged victorious over Grambling State Tigers in a five overtime thriller! This game won’t quickly be forgotten as these powerhouses exchanged blows in extra quarters.
Halftime victories remain in the eye of the alumni. No side will easily concede defeat in perhaps the most important “quarter” of the game! It’s the greatest show on turf and the fans are the real winners, regardless of who’s beat is better! This year’s attendance was officially tallied at 52,323 and the game lasted a whopping 4 hours and eight minutes! Somebody was late to Sunday School, today!
The Tigers took a 17-7 lead into halftime after both teams went scoreless in the opening quarter. The Panthers shut them out in the third quarter, squeaking by with a mere field goal, but found their stride in the fourth quarter, edging the Tigers out 14-7. Each team scored in the initial and second OT periods, but went scoreless in the third and fourth OT period. In the fifth OT period, Prairie View capitalized on a Grambling State miscue and ended the game with a 1-yard touchdown, bringing the thriller at the Cotton Bowl to a captivating close! Grambling outgained Prairie View and led in almost every category, but faltered at the end.
Like every “classic” sports match, the outcome was unforgettable. Though Grambling boasts a 28-10 lead in the series, Prairie View seems to have found their stride against Tigers as of late. The Tigers look to regain their stride next week at home against Alcorn State.
