Florida A&M defeats Howard in thriller to claim HBCU national championship
Both teams made their debut in the Celebration Bowl
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 2023 edition of the Celebration Bowl featured a matchup of two prominent historically Black colleges and universities — Florida A&M and Howard University.
This year marked the ninth year of the HBCU college football national championship. It also marked the first time either team advanced to the championship.
The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Howard Bison by four points in a back-and-forth thriller at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida A&M does have a history of winning championships. Exactly 45 years ago, the Rattlers defeated the UMass Minutemen to claim the 1978 NCAA Division I-AA championship.
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Florida A&M celebrates after a play during the Cricket Celebration Bowl against Howard University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Dec. 16, 2023. (Katie Goodale/USA Today Network)
Florida A&M entered Saturday's game with a 10-game win streak after defeating Prairie View A&M 35-14 Dec. 2 to earn its first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title. Howard had a two-game winning streak heading into the Celebration Bowl. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) holds a 6-1 edge over opponents from the SWAC in the bowl.
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The Bison got off to a strong start with an impressive 63-yard kick return. Howard's offense capitalized on the strong field position. Running back Jarett Hunter scored a touchdown on an 8-yard run to give the Bison an early 7-0 lead.
Kamari Young (81) of the Florida A&M Rattlers runs the ball past Jamel Stewart (96) of the Howard Bison during the first quarter of the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 16, 2023, in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa fumbled on the following possession, and Howard recovered the ball at the 29-yard line. The Bison took advantage of another short field and increased their lead to a commanding 14-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Howard quarterback Quinton Williams appeared to struggle to find any type of rhythm. He finished the game with three interceptions, throwing for just 106 yards.
Florida A&M did manage to produce a pair of scoring drives in the second quarter to cut the deficit. Howard entered the locker room at halftime with a 16-10 lead.
Jeremy Moussa (8) of the Florida A&M Rattlers celebrates with teammates after beating the Howard Bison 30-26 in the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 16, 2023, in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
In the fourth quarter, Howard kicker Aaron Bickerton made a 40-yard field goal to bring the Bison within five points with 7:55 left in the game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Howard took the lead on the next drive when defensive back Dylan White intercepted Moussa's pass and sprinted into the end zone. The Bison briefly held a 26-24 lead following the 27-yard pick-six and the extra point.
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Moussa quickly bounced back and found wide receiver Jah'Marae Sheread on a flea-flicker trick play for a go-ahead touchdown. The Rattlers' two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, which kept the score at 30-26 with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida A&M linebacker Isaiah Major picked off Williams with 1:45 left to seal the victory for the Rattlers.
"You can’t win many games when you turn the ball over three times," Williams said. "That’s on me."