Written By: James Leyva
Atlanta, GA - The 2nd Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl between the North Carolina Central Eagles and Grambling State Tigers went down as a classic defensive battle. Both teams came in on a nine game winning streak and both champions in their conference, and playing for the National Championship of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, it lived up to the hype. 31,096 fans showed up to the Georgia Dome to watch MEAC Champion vs. SWAC Champion. In the end, Grambling defeated the Eagles 10-9 to win the 2016 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl and are the HBCU National Champions.
For about three quarters, this game was all about defense. The Tigers started their first possession with quarterback Devante Kincade throwing an interception to Eagles defensive back Alden Mcclollan that ended in a touchback. NCCU would drive the ball down field and end up with twenty-three yard field goal to give the Eagles a 3-0 advantage over the Tigers. Despite the Tigers moving the ball down on the second drive, Tigers kicker Brandon McLaren missed a 30-yard field goal that would have tied the game. The score would remain the same throughout the entire first half. The momentum seem to be on the Eagles side shutting out the Tigers offense throughout the first half, despite Grambling being the No. 4 scoring offense in the FCS. Tiger quarterback Devante Kincade talked about playing 60 full minutes afte the game, “We knew coming into this game they were gonna give us their best shot. So after the first half we came back ready to play against what they got.”
Penalties, turnovers, and the inability to score in the red zone seemed to be the problem for both teams in the first half. The Eagles had two turnovers a fumble and interception, and were just 1 of 3 on redzone trips in the first half. The Tigers had five penalties for 34 yards, 0-1 in the redzone, 4 out of 8 converting on 3rd downs, and were unable to convert on their one 4th down attempt.
However, in the start of the second half, the Tigers found their spark in the running game. Tigers running back Martez Carter broke off a 32 yard run for the only touchdown of the game to give the Grambling the 7-3 lead over the NCCU Eagles. The ability to get the running game going was the true catalyst in the game for Grambling after tallying 76 rushing yards in the first half, they added 123 yards in the second half. Justin Kelly finished with 17 carries and 65 yards rushing for the Tigers, while Devante Kincade added 12 carries for 42 yards rushing.
NCCU’s first three drives of the second half were not at all what they wanted, as they were plagued with penalties and dropped passes, resulting in three and outs. On their third drive, they ended up fumbling the football and the Tigers recovered it. Despite being down and struggling offensively, the NCCU defense was still dominating the Tigers offense and was able to hold the Tigers to 10 points in the third quarter. Grambling State had a 10-3 lead going into the fourth quarter and would not score for the rest of the game. NCCU head coach Jerry Mack spoke after the game about the performance of the defense.
“I thought they (the defense) did a great job being relentless,” Mack said. He also added, “they (the defense) did great job on third downs and critical situations with odds, fourth down situations, making sure they stop the opponent. Kudos to our defensive coach Eastman, I thought those guys did left it on the field and played their hearts out.”
In the fourth quarter, it was a seesaw affair with neither team being able to put the ball into the end zone. Both teams ran into problems with turnovers and converting first downs as each team had two punts in the quarter. In the last five minutes of the game however, the Celebration Bowl crowd was about to see the critical moments that would determine the outcome.
With 2:14 left in the game, NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell threw a 39 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Quentin Atkinson to bring the eagles within one point. It was exciting play that ended with disastrous results for the Eagles. Atkinson was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after the touchdown and as a result, the ball was moved back from the original spot for the extra point. The extra point was then blocked by Grambling State defensive back Joseph McWilliams. That one blocked extra point was the difference in the game.
NCCU recovered the onside kick, but were called for two penalties for an illegal block and off-sides. NCCU failed to recover the second onside kick and the Tigers got the ball back. Eagles had one more shot to get the ball back, but Kincade completed a 12 yard pass to wide receiver Verlan Hunter on a third down and 12 yards to go to seal the win. Grambling State then took a knee and the game was over.
Grambling State running back Martez Carter won the offensive Most Valuable Player award, finishing the game with 12 carries for 109 yards rushing and one touchdown. He was the driving force behind the offense. Kincade also contributed offensively, completing 15 of 31 passes, for 149 yards passing and one interception. Tigers’ defensive back Jameel Jackson was awarded defensive MVP as he had five total tackles and one interception.
= Bell led the way for the Eagles, completing 18 of 32 passes, for 240 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions. NCCU will head into next season as the defending MEAC champions. They will look to replicate this success next season.
The 2nd Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl ended up as a classic game that should set up more games in the future. This game will be the last one in the Georgia Dome as the game will move to new Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season. Grambling State finishes this season with an overall record of 11-1, 9-0 in the SWAC conference and NCCU finishes 9-3, 9-0 in MEAC Conference.
For about three quarters, this game was all about defense. The Tigers started their first possession with quarterback Devante Kincade throwing an interception to Eagles defensive back Alden Mcclollan that ended in a touchback. NCCU would drive the ball down field and end up with twenty-three yard field goal to give the Eagles a 3-0 advantage over the Tigers. Despite the Tigers moving the ball down on the second drive, Tigers kicker Brandon McLaren missed a 30-yard field goal that would have tied the game. The score would remain the same throughout the entire first half. The momentum seem to be on the Eagles side shutting out the Tigers offense throughout the first half, despite Grambling being the No. 4 scoring offense in the FCS. Tiger quarterback Devante Kincade talked about playing 60 full minutes afte the game, “We knew coming into this game they were gonna give us their best shot. So after the first half we came back ready to play against what they got.”
Penalties, turnovers, and the inability to score in the red zone seemed to be the problem for both teams in the first half. The Eagles had two turnovers a fumble and interception, and were just 1 of 3 on redzone trips in the first half. The Tigers had five penalties for 34 yards, 0-1 in the redzone, 4 out of 8 converting on 3rd downs, and were unable to convert on their one 4th down attempt.
However, in the start of the second half, the Tigers found their spark in the running game. Tigers running back Martez Carter broke off a 32 yard run for the only touchdown of the game to give the Grambling the 7-3 lead over the NCCU Eagles. The ability to get the running game going was the true catalyst in the game for Grambling after tallying 76 rushing yards in the first half, they added 123 yards in the second half. Justin Kelly finished with 17 carries and 65 yards rushing for the Tigers, while Devante Kincade added 12 carries for 42 yards rushing.
NCCU’s first three drives of the second half were not at all what they wanted, as they were plagued with penalties and dropped passes, resulting in three and outs. On their third drive, they ended up fumbling the football and the Tigers recovered it. Despite being down and struggling offensively, the NCCU defense was still dominating the Tigers offense and was able to hold the Tigers to 10 points in the third quarter. Grambling State had a 10-3 lead going into the fourth quarter and would not score for the rest of the game. NCCU head coach Jerry Mack spoke after the game about the performance of the defense.
“I thought they (the defense) did a great job being relentless,” Mack said. He also added, “they (the defense) did great job on third downs and critical situations with odds, fourth down situations, making sure they stop the opponent. Kudos to our defensive coach Eastman, I thought those guys did left it on the field and played their hearts out.”
In the fourth quarter, it was a seesaw affair with neither team being able to put the ball into the end zone. Both teams ran into problems with turnovers and converting first downs as each team had two punts in the quarter. In the last five minutes of the game however, the Celebration Bowl crowd was about to see the critical moments that would determine the outcome.
With 2:14 left in the game, NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell threw a 39 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Quentin Atkinson to bring the eagles within one point. It was exciting play that ended with disastrous results for the Eagles. Atkinson was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after the touchdown and as a result, the ball was moved back from the original spot for the extra point. The extra point was then blocked by Grambling State defensive back Joseph McWilliams. That one blocked extra point was the difference in the game.
NCCU recovered the onside kick, but were called for two penalties for an illegal block and off-sides. NCCU failed to recover the second onside kick and the Tigers got the ball back. Eagles had one more shot to get the ball back, but Kincade completed a 12 yard pass to wide receiver Verlan Hunter on a third down and 12 yards to go to seal the win. Grambling State then took a knee and the game was over.
Grambling State running back Martez Carter won the offensive Most Valuable Player award, finishing the game with 12 carries for 109 yards rushing and one touchdown. He was the driving force behind the offense. Kincade also contributed offensively, completing 15 of 31 passes, for 149 yards passing and one interception. Tigers’ defensive back Jameel Jackson was awarded defensive MVP as he had five total tackles and one interception.
= Bell led the way for the Eagles, completing 18 of 32 passes, for 240 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions. NCCU will head into next season as the defending MEAC champions. They will look to replicate this success next season.
The 2nd Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl ended up as a classic game that should set up more games in the future. This game will be the last one in the Georgia Dome as the game will move to new Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season. Grambling State finishes this season with an overall record of 11-1, 9-0 in the SWAC conference and NCCU finishes 9-3, 9-0 in MEAC Conference.