Ten Years of Glory: From Risky Experiment to HBCU's Biggest Stage
A decade ago, skeptics called it a gamble. A standalone bowl game for HBCU football? In an era when programs were hemorrhaging resources and national attention? The naysayers had their doubts. But on December 19, 2015, when Tarik Cohen exploded for 295 yards and three touchdowns in the Georgia Dome, the Cricket Celebration Bowl announced itself as something far more than an experiment. It became a movement.
Now, as South Carolina State and Prairie View A&M prepare to clash on December 13, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, we're celebrating the 10th anniversary of the bowl that redefined HBCU football's postseason identity. This is the longest-running HBCU bowl game in history, surpassing the nine-year Heritage Bowl, and it has delivered moments that belong in the pantheon of college football greatness.
Let's rank the top 10 plays, performances, and games that transformed this "risky" venture into the crown jewel of Black college football, then break down what promises to be an epic 2025 title clash.
The Top 10 Moments That Built a Legacy
10. Jeremy Moussa's Fourth-Quarter Heroics (2023)
Down but never out, Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa orchestrated a stunning comeback against Howard, throwing three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including two to Kelvin Dean Jr., to secure a 30-26 victory. FAMU's debut in the Celebration Bowl showed the nation that clutch gene is alive and well in HBCU football.
9. The One-Yard Stand (2022)
North Carolina Central's defense made the ultimate statement in Deion Sanders' final game at Jackson State. With the game on the line, NCCU stuffed JSU on fourth down, one yard short of the end zone, preserving a 27-26 victory. The Panthers racked up 480 total yards, with RB Latrell Collier churning out 98 yards, but it was that goal-line stand that will live forever.
8. The 88-Yard Kickoff Return (2018)
In a rematch of the inaugural bowl, North Carolina A&T defended their crown against Alcorn State with a 24-22 thriller. The game-changing moment? An 88-yard kickoff return that swung momentum and proved special teams can win championships.
7. Kylil Carter's Six-Touchdown Explosion (2019)
When North Carolina A&T and Alcorn State met for the third time in five years, they put on an offensive clinic for the ages. The two teams combined for 108 total points and over 1,000 yards, with A&T quarterback Kylil Carter slinging six touchdown passes. This wasn't just football. It was basketball on grass, and it was glorious.
6. Grambling State's Dominant Statement (2016)
After A&T's thrilling debut victory, Grambling State reminded everyone that the SWAC had championship pedigree. The Tigers dismantled North Carolina A&T 37-14, showcasing the depth of talent across HBCU conferences and setting the stage for years of competitive balance.
5. Prairie View A&M's Historic Qualification (2024)
Though the 2024 game saw Jackson State defeat South Carolina State 28-7, the real story was Prairie View A&M's breakthrough in earning their first-ever Celebration Bowl berth for 2025. After years of building, the Panthers finally crashed the party, bringing fresh blood to the championship stage.
4. Corey Fields' Four-Touchdown Masterpiece (2021)
South Carolina State quarterback Corey Fields put on a surgical performance against Deion Sanders' Jackson State, throwing four touchdowns (three to Shaquan Davis, the Offensive MVP) in a dominant 31-10 victory. The Bulldogs' defense held Shedeur Sanders and JSU to Celebration Bowl lows of just 19 rushing yards and 194 total yards. It was a defensive masterclass that announced SC State as a force.
3. Shedeur Sanders Gets the Celebration Bowl Treatment (2021)
Before Shedeur Sanders became a household name at Colorado, he got a harsh introduction to Celebration Bowl intensity. South Carolina State's defense limited Jackson State to 194 total yards, the lowest in bowl history, and just 19 rushing yards. It was a statement game that showed HBCU defenses could match any level of talent.
2. North Carolina A&T's Dynasty Run (2015-2019)
The Aggies didn't just win Celebration Bowls. They owned them. With multiple championships in the bowl's first five years, A&T established themselves as the HBCU program of the decade. Their dominance legitimized the bowl and proved that sustained excellence was possible in this new era.
1. Tarik Cohen's 295-Yard Masterpiece (2015)
There's the inaugural game, and then there's what Tarik Cohen did to Alcorn State. The North Carolina A&T running back exploded for 295 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 41-34 victory that set the tone for everything that followed. Cohen, who would go on to NFL success with the Chicago Bears, showed the world that HBCU talent deserved the spotlight. This wasn't just a great game. It was a declaration.
2025 Celebration Bowl: Offense Meets the Dark Side
Now, let's talk about what's ahead. On December 13, 2025, at noon ET in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we get a clash of styles that could produce another instant classic.
South Carolina State: The Offensive Juggernaut
The Bulldogs (9-3, 5-0 MEAC) roll into Atlanta on a seven-game winning streak, and they're doing it with the nation's most explosive offense. SC State leads the country in scoring offense at 38.2 points per game and total offense at 6.9 yards per play. Quarterback Billy Atkins IV and backup Ryan Stubblefield (1,060 yards) have orchestrated an aerial assault averaging 286 passing yards per game.
But here's the kicker: SC State's defense is just as nasty. They allow just 21.2 points per game (2nd nationally), lead the nation in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.3), and boast a stingy 4.2 yards per play allowed (1st). Defensive back Jarod Washington, the Aeneas Williams Award winner and Defensive Player of the Year, anchors a unit that has forced 14 interceptions and racked up 31 sacks (3.4 per game, 2nd nationally). Their red zone defense? A suffocating 28.6% touchdown rate allowed, best in the nation.
Prairie View A&M: The Balanced Powerhouse
The Panthers (10-3, 7-1 SWAC West) are riding a four-game winning streak, including a thrilling 23-21 SWAC Championship victory over Jackson State. PVAMU scores 33.4 points per game (4th nationally) with a balanced attack that features quarterback Cam Peters (2,386 passing yards, 19 TDs), running backs Chase Bingmon and Lamagea McDowell, and wide receiver Jyzaiah Rockwell (1,084 yards, 7 TDs).
What makes Prairie View dangerous? Efficiency. They convert red zone trips into touchdowns at a 72.2% clip (2nd nationally) and allow just 0.44 sacks per game (1st in the nation). Their offensive line is elite.
But it's the "Dark Side" defense that could swing this game. PVAMU allows fewer than 17 points per game and just 128.7 passing yards per game, one of the top pass defenses in the country. They've forced eight interceptions and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
The Matchup That Will Decide It
This game comes down to one question: Can SC State's explosive passing attack (286 yards per game) crack Prairie View's elite pass defense (128.7 yards allowed per game)? The Bulldogs protect their quarterbacks well (1.2 sacks allowed per game), but they haven't faced a secondary this stingy all season.
On the flip side, can PVAMU's balanced, run-heavy attack handle SC State's ferocious pass rush (3.4 sacks per game) and ball-hawking secondary (14 interceptions)? Linebackers Josh Barker, Ka'Von Chisolm, and Kwantre Harry will be flying around, looking to disrupt Peters' rhythm.
The odds? Prairie View A&M is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 52.5. Experts are leaning toward the under, which makes sense when two top-10 defenses collide.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Trophy
This isn't just about crowning a champion. It's about honoring a decade of progress. The Celebration Bowl has become appointment television, a showcase for NFL scouts, and a recruiting tool that has elevated HBCU programs nationwide. Since the first Black intercollegiate football game in 1892, HBCU football has been about resilience, excellence, and community. The Celebration Bowl is the modern embodiment of that legacy.
South Carolina State is vying for their 9th HBCU National Black Championship and third Celebration Bowl appearance (1-1 record). Prairie View A&M is making their debut, bringing a program on the rise to the biggest stage. Both teams represent everything this bowl was designed to celebrate.
Final Prediction
This one's going to be a war. SC State's offensive firepower against PVAMU's "Dark Side" defense. Elite pass rush versus elite pass protection. Two programs that refuse to blink.
Give me South Carolina State 27, Prairie View A&M 24. The Bulldogs' experience on this stage, combined with Jarod Washington's playmaking ability and that suffocating red zone defense, will be the difference. But don't be surprised if this goes down to the final possession.
Either way, the Celebration Bowl's 10th anniversary is going to add another chapter to a legacy that's already legendary. Buckle up, HBCU nation. December 13 can't come fast enough.
