Prairie View faces tough road in Dooley debut

Published Feb. 8, 2018 3:29 p.m. ET

(STATS) - Prairie View A&M is excited to have coach Eric Dooley as its new coach, but he won't coach a game on campus until mid-October.

The Panthers will face a challenging 11-game schedule as they seek to win the SWAC title. It includes four home games, but the first isn't until the seventh game of the season.

Prior to open conference play, Prairie View will face a pair of FBS programs, Rice (Aug. 25) and UNLV (Sept. 15), North Carolina Central in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta (Sept. 2) and Sam Houston State (Sept. 8).

The Panthers open conference play at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Sept. 22) and then face defending champion Grambling State at the State Fair Classic in Dallas (Sept. 29). Prior to being hired by Prairie View in December, Dooley served as Grambling's offensive coordinator for four seasons.

Dooley's first two games at Panther Stadium will be against Southern (Oct. 13) and Alcorn State (Oct. 27). After a trip to Jackson State (Nov. 3), his squad will end the regular season by hosting Alabama State (Nov. 17) and Texas Southern (Nov. 24).

Prairie View finished 6-5 last season.

2018 Prairie View A&M schedule

Aug. 25, at Rice

Sept. 2, North Carolina Central (at Atlanta)

Sept. 8, at Sam Houston State

Sept. 15, at UNLV

Sept. 22, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff*

Sept. 29, Grambling State* (at Dallas)

Oct. 13, Southern*

Oct. 27, Alcorn State*

Nov. 3, at Jackson State*

Nov. 17, Alabama State*

Nov. 24, Texas Southern*

* - SWAC game