Prairie View, Texas, can breathe a collective sigh of relief and celebration. In a victory that tasted like 16 years of anticipation, the Prairie View A&M Panthers secured the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Football Championship on Saturday, downing favored Jackson State 23-21 in a dramatic upset. More than just a win, this title broke a championship drought dating back to 2009—and it was delivered in the very first season of Head Coach Tremaine Jackson’s tenure.

For Panther Nation, this championship is a seismic cultural event. The SWAC—long considered the premier HBCU conference—is defined by its history, pageantry, and fierce competition. While the Panthers have secured division titles in recent years, the conference crown remained elusive since the historic 2009 team claimed the title that ended a 45-year championship famine. To finally climb back atop the league means more than just a trophy; it signifies a definitive return to elite status for the proud institution.

The key to this astonishing turnaround is the speed and conviction of Tremaine Jackson. Hired in January 2025, Jackson, a Houston native and Texas Southern alum, didn't hedge his bets at his introductory press conference. He famously declared, “It’s time. It’s time for us to win the SWAC.” He backed up that promise with immediate results, leading the Panthers to a 10-3 overall record, securing the SWAC West division title, and earning the 2025 SWAC Coach of the Year honor before even stepping onto the championship field.

Jackson’s philosophy, built on mentorship and culture, instilled the belief necessary for the upset. Facing a dominant Jackson State squad, which was heavily favored and playing at home, the Panthers relied on a balanced attack and fierce defense. Quarterback Cameron Peters, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, was spectacular, accumulating nearly 400 total yards and demonstrating the poise Jackson praised after the game. The 23-21 final score was a testament to the Panthers' resilience, clutch kicking, and a stellar defensive performance that frustrated the Tigers all afternoon.

With the confetti settled and the drought officially over, Prairie View A&M now moves to the biggest stage in HBCU football. The SWAC title secures the Panthers a coveted berth in the 2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. They will face the MEAC Champion, South Carolina State, in the de facto HBCU National Championship game. Coach Jackson and the Panthers have already fulfilled their main promise, but they head to Atlanta ready to cap an unbelievable season and etch their names into the history books.