The Alabama State University football team got back to practice Tuesday evening to begin preparations for Saturday's Southwestern Athletic Conference Game against Prairie View A&M.
 
The matchup of division leaders will kickoff shortly after 1 p.m. live on WVAS 90.7 FM and live on the internet on ESPN3.com free of charge. The game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis on ESPNU Saturday night at 9:30 p.m.
 
Coming off Saturday's 43-29 win over defending SWAC Champion Texas Southern, the Hornets got to work Tuesday night on the Panthers (4-2, 4-1).
 
“Guys had good energy and I can really appreciate that,” head coach Reggie Barlow said. “These guys have been going at it for a while now this season. Tuesday's are usually the installation day of new plays, and they are not reacting as fast as you would like, but it was a pretty good practice.”
 
Prairie View is one of just two teams in the SWAC (Grambling) to post four straight winning seasons. Heishma Northern is in his first year as head coach after working as defensive coordinator for the previous six seasons. The Panthers have rebounded from a 1-3 start to win their last three games, including last week's 23-20 win at Southern.
 
PV will present perhaps the most balance offensive attack the Hornets have faced this season. The Panthers rank second in the league in both scoring offense (29.5 ppg) and rushing offense (155.8 ypg) and third in total offense (347.5 ypg).
 
“They have a balanced attack,” Barlow said of the Panthers' offense. “They make sure they don't put the quarterback in situations where he might hurt them. They are being put into good situations they can handle. They have a good combination of running backs and receivers that are making plays for them. They also have a really good scheme. It's similar to what we do. (Offensive Coordinator) Mark Orlando does a good job with their offense.”
 
The Hornets return to practice Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m.

 
-HORNETS-