Arrr! Florida A&M be vanquishin' Howard in a heart-poundin' battle to seize the HBCU national crown, matey!
2023-12-16
Arr, fer near a decade, the Celebration Bowl hath been the jolly college football national championship fer them hearty Black colleges and universities, me hearties!
The 2023 Celebration Bowl showcased a clash between two historically Black colleges and universities - Florida A&M and Howard University. It was the ninth edition of the HBCU college football national championship and the first time either team had made it to the title game. In a thrilling back-and-forth battle at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Florida A&M Rattlers emerged victorious, defeating the Howard Bison by a mere four points.Florida A&M had a strong championship pedigree, having won the NCAA Division I-AA championship exactly 45 years prior by defeating the UMass Minutemen. The Rattlers entered the game on a 10-game winning streak, having claimed their first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title by defeating Prairie View A&M. On the other hand, Howard had a two-game winning streak leading up to the Celebration Bowl and hoped to upset their opponents.
Howard started the game strongly with a 63-yard kick return, leading to a touchdown by running back Jarett Hunter. Florida A&M's quarterback, Jeremy Moussa, fumbled on the next possession, allowing Howard to extend their lead. However, Moussa and the Rattlers managed to cut the deficit with two scoring drives in the second quarter, entering halftime down by just six points.
In the fourth quarter, Howard narrowed the gap with a field goal, followed by a pick-six that briefly gave them the lead. But Moussa quickly responded with a touchdown pass to put Florida A&M back in front. Despite a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Rattlers held on to their lead and were crowned the HBCU national champions.
The game showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, with Florida A&M ultimately emerging as the victors. It was a historic moment for both institutions, as they made their first appearance in the championship game and competed in a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.