VAQUEROS WIN FIRST ROAD GAME 27-21

UTRGV Defeats Prairie View A&M

UTRGV Sports Report | Edinburg Daily Review

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Vaqueros football team erupted on the sidelines as redshirt freshman defensive back Alijah Prosser forced a fumble in the final minutes of Saturday’s contest at Blackshear Field. The play, which was capped by redshirt senior defensive back Elijah Graham’s fumble recovery, secured UTRGV’s first road win and first win over a NCAA Div. I opponent as the Vaqueros defeated the Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) Panthers, 27-21, in thrilling fashion.

The Panthers took a 21-20 lead with 13 minutes remaining in the game. UTRGV’s defense made a stop when it needed to most, forcing a clutch three-and-out late in the fourth to give the ball back to the offense with 5:25 to play. The Vaqueros (2-0) started the drive on their own 30 and quickly got to the PVAMU 36 with a pair of first-down passes from redshirt senior quarterback and Sharyland Pioneer alum Eddie Lee Marburger to redshirt freshman running back TJ Dement on opposite sides of the field.

Graduate student running back Nathan Denney pounded the ball down to the 10 after a big pass interference call against the Panthers (1-1). Then, Denney rushed to the left behind a great block by freshman tight end Brendon Ray for the go-ahead, seven-yard rushing touchdown, giving the lead back to UTRGV, 27-21, with 2:21 on the clock. Prosser’s big play and a 27-yard scamper from Marburger secured UTRGV’s victory.

Denney ran for 100 yards and one touchdown while reeling in five catches for 37 yards. Marburger threw for 263 yards and one touchdown in a 19-for-31 night. Redshirt freshman receiver Tony Diaz had 121 receiving yards and one touchdown, averaging 20.2 yards per catch.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Jaiden Haygood and graduate student linebacker Spencer Rich paced the defense with 11 tackles each.

UTRGV controlled the first quarter with a good mix of hard runs and big passing plays. Denney racked up rushing yards on the opening drive, including a fourth-down conversion to get the Vaqueros inside PVAMU’s 30. The offensive line gave Marburger plenty of time to scan the field, and Marburger connected with Diaz for a 16-yard touchdown to put the Vaqueros on top, 7-0. Diaz showed great control to haul in the pass against double coverage and toe-tapped at the back of the end zone for the score.

The Vaqueros defense forced a three-and-out on the first Panthers, and the offense rode that momentum to start its second drive with a 45-yard pass from Marburger to Diaz. Redshirt sophomore kicker Brysen Gardner made a 49-yard field goal to cap the quick second possession and make it 10-0 that lead the way to victory.