SC State claims HBCU National Championship with 4 OT win over Prairie View
Story courtesy of SC State:
South Carolina State capped a thrilling championship performance with a dramatic 40-38 victory over Prairie View A&M in four overtimes to win the 10th annual Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, securing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) seventh all-time victory in the event.
Quarterback Ryan Stubblefield connected with Jordan Smith on the decisive two-point conversion in the fourth overtime, and the Bulldogs’ defense sealed the win when Prairie View’s final attempt fell incomplete, igniting a celebration for the MEAC champions.
After both teams traded field goals in the first overtime, the Bulldogs gained momentum in the second extra period when Cornelius Davis intercepted a Stubblefield pass on Prairie View’s opening possession. The Panthers had a chance to end the game moments later, but a missed 31-yard field goal kept South Carolina State alive. Neither team converted during the two-point attempt-only third overtime, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
South Carolina State erased a 21-point halftime deficit with an explosive third quarter, scoring three touchdowns on drives of fewer than 50 yards to pull even and force overtime.
Stubblefield entered the game late in the second quarter and delivered a standout performance, throwing for 234 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target, Smith, accounted for all three Bulldog touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing, and caught the game-winning two-point conversion. Smith finished with nine receptions for 152 yards.
Prairie View A&M quarterback Cameron Peters threw for 412 yards and four touchdown, while Andre Dennis recorded 131 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ historic season.
The Bulldogs finished the season 10-3 and claimed their second Celebration Bowl title, making their third appearance in the game over the past five years. With the victory, the MEAC extended its all-time Celebration Bowl advantage to 7-3.
Newberry falls at frigid Ferris State 49-17 in D2 Semi-Final
Story courtesy of Newberry
The Newberry College Wolves (12-2) were on the cusp of another spectacular rally late in the first half, but things did not go their way as they eventually fell to defending national champion and #1 seed Ferris State (15-0) 49-17 in sub-freezing temperatures in Big Rapids, Mich.
Quarterback Reed Charpia threw for 348 yards and a touchdown, Will Young had three catches for a career-high 96 yards and a score, Jonah Norris had six grabs for 69 yards, De’Andre Coleman added five grabs for 68 yards and Rico Dorsey Jr. added four passes for 64 yards.
Mikey Blandin led the Wolves’ defense with nine total tackles, Santory Jones had six tackles and KyHeim Bethea and Jaden Kinard each added five stops. Kinard and Elijah Vereen each had a fumble recovery.
The temperature at kickoff was 10 degrees with a wind chill of -10 with snow and ice covering part of the field.
Ferris State jumped out to a 21-0 in the first quarter, before the Wolves responded to score 17 consecutive points.
Charpia connected with Young on a pass over the middle that he turned into a spectacular 61-yard touchdown to the cut the advantage of 21-7 with 1:22 left in the first quarter.
The Wolves defense responded by forcing an apparent three and out and then stopped the Bulldogs on a fake punt attempt to take over at the Ferris State 49-yard line.
Newberry’s offense took advantage and eight plays later; backup quarterback Coleman Gray scored from two yards to cut the deficit to 21-14.
The Newberry defense stepped up again, forcing a turnover when Jhyree Brigman forced a fumble that was recovered by Kinard at the Wolves 45-yard line.
The Wolves marched down to the Bulldog 22-yard line but had to settle for a Burke Nettles 39-yard field goal into a swirling wind to crawl within 21-17 with 7:40 left in the half.
The momentum was still in favor of Newberry as the defense shutdown the Ferris State offense and a shanked punt only travelling 22 yards gave the Wolves offense the ball on the Bulldog 43-yard line.
A 22-yard pass completion from Charpia to Coleman gave the Wolves first down at the Bulldog 20-yard line, but an interception stopped the rally with 4:09 remaining in the half.
Ferris State took full advantage, driving for a touchdown, then forcing a Newberry fumble on its own one-yard line that turned into another touchdown and Bulldogs led 35-17 at the half.
Ferris State shut out the Wolves offense in the second half to advance to their third consecutive national championship game.
Newberry completed its most successful season in school history at 12-2 and earned a regional championship and a spot in the national semifinals.