Written by James Leyva
Atlanta, GA, The Second Annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl features two conference champion teams that have a chance to make history in their programs. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion, the North Carolina Central Eagles will battle the Southwestern Athletic Conference Champion, the Grambling State Tigers. Both teams head into this bowl game on a nine game winning streak.
Last year was the first ever Celebration Bowl game and it went down to wire as North Carolina A&T State defeated Alcorn State, 41-34. Because of its success, the bowl game has returned for another year and it hopes to live up to the hype. For both NC Central and Grambling State, it gives them a chance to show the nation what their schools are all about and where their programs are going. This game is known as the " Historically Black College University National Championship,” so it means a great deal to each team.
The Celebration Bowl festivities has both teams very busy and excited heading into the game. The Eagles and Tigers participated in a Center for Civil and Human Rights meeting, the College Football Hall of Fame Champions dinner and visited the Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital. Captain’s for both teams visited five or more children at the hospital and the visit gave the children many smiles and hopefully great memories to treasure. All of the activities have been a learning experience for the players and fun memories have been created, however there is still a football game to be played.
NC Central has achieved their first official MEAC Champion since 2012, as they were co-champions in 2014 and 2015. The Eagles started their season with two losses, losing to Duke and Western Michigan by a combined 92 points. Despite the rough start, they managed to go on a nine game winning streak. The winning streak also included a defeat of their rival NC A&T State, 41-21 to secure the conference title. The Eagles finished the season with a 9-2 record and are 9-0 in conference play.
NC Central is led by their senior quarterback, Malcolm Bell, who is the second quarterback in school history to pass for over 6,000 yards and rush for over 1,400 yards in a season. Eagles head coach Jerry Mack has led this program back into prominence, winning 24 games in his first three seasons, a feat that that no other coach in school history has accomplished. Mack is the second head coach in school history to win the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year award and is also the 2016 MEAC Coach of the Year.
The Grambling State Tigers have had a tremendous season with 10-1 record, a 9-0 record in conference play and are the 2016 SWAC champions. This is the first SWAC conference championship for the Tigers since 2011. Their only loss this season came against an FBS opponent in the Arizona Wildcats, 31-21. This game showed that Grambling State had the toughness and skill to contend in the SWAC conference. Grambling State’s defense is ranked number one in red zone defense in the FCS and is also ranked in the top 10in sacks, defensive touchdowns and scoring defense.
University of Mississippi transfer and now Grambling State quarterback DeVante Kincade is third in passing efficiency in the FCS and is the 2016 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with over 2,800 yards passing and 30 touchdowns. Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs is in his third year has 27-9 overall record..
There are similarities between both teams as both coaches are in their third year with their respective teams and both teams finished the season on nine or ten game winning streaks. With everything each team has accomplished this season, it should make this game very interesting. NC Central last played Grambling State in 1986, at Yankee Stadium and the Tigers won 32-24. Grambling State leads the all-time series 3-0 against the Eagles..
NC Central looks to defeat the Tigers for the first time in the Celebration Bowl. If Grambling State wins, they will finish with an 11-1 record, their best record since 2008. Both teams have a lot to prove in this national stage and whoever wins will be named the "HBCU National Champion.” The Celebration Bowl will Take place Saturday, December 17th, 12 PM EST at the Georgia Dome and the game will be televised on ABC.
Last year was the first ever Celebration Bowl game and it went down to wire as North Carolina A&T State defeated Alcorn State, 41-34. Because of its success, the bowl game has returned for another year and it hopes to live up to the hype. For both NC Central and Grambling State, it gives them a chance to show the nation what their schools are all about and where their programs are going. This game is known as the " Historically Black College University National Championship,” so it means a great deal to each team.
The Celebration Bowl festivities has both teams very busy and excited heading into the game. The Eagles and Tigers participated in a Center for Civil and Human Rights meeting, the College Football Hall of Fame Champions dinner and visited the Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital. Captain’s for both teams visited five or more children at the hospital and the visit gave the children many smiles and hopefully great memories to treasure. All of the activities have been a learning experience for the players and fun memories have been created, however there is still a football game to be played.
NC Central has achieved their first official MEAC Champion since 2012, as they were co-champions in 2014 and 2015. The Eagles started their season with two losses, losing to Duke and Western Michigan by a combined 92 points. Despite the rough start, they managed to go on a nine game winning streak. The winning streak also included a defeat of their rival NC A&T State, 41-21 to secure the conference title. The Eagles finished the season with a 9-2 record and are 9-0 in conference play.
NC Central is led by their senior quarterback, Malcolm Bell, who is the second quarterback in school history to pass for over 6,000 yards and rush for over 1,400 yards in a season. Eagles head coach Jerry Mack has led this program back into prominence, winning 24 games in his first three seasons, a feat that that no other coach in school history has accomplished. Mack is the second head coach in school history to win the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year award and is also the 2016 MEAC Coach of the Year.
The Grambling State Tigers have had a tremendous season with 10-1 record, a 9-0 record in conference play and are the 2016 SWAC champions. This is the first SWAC conference championship for the Tigers since 2011. Their only loss this season came against an FBS opponent in the Arizona Wildcats, 31-21. This game showed that Grambling State had the toughness and skill to contend in the SWAC conference. Grambling State’s defense is ranked number one in red zone defense in the FCS and is also ranked in the top 10in sacks, defensive touchdowns and scoring defense.
University of Mississippi transfer and now Grambling State quarterback DeVante Kincade is third in passing efficiency in the FCS and is the 2016 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with over 2,800 yards passing and 30 touchdowns. Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs is in his third year has 27-9 overall record..
There are similarities between both teams as both coaches are in their third year with their respective teams and both teams finished the season on nine or ten game winning streaks. With everything each team has accomplished this season, it should make this game very interesting. NC Central last played Grambling State in 1986, at Yankee Stadium and the Tigers won 32-24. Grambling State leads the all-time series 3-0 against the Eagles..
NC Central looks to defeat the Tigers for the first time in the Celebration Bowl. If Grambling State wins, they will finish with an 11-1 record, their best record since 2008. Both teams have a lot to prove in this national stage and whoever wins will be named the "HBCU National Champion.” The Celebration Bowl will Take place Saturday, December 17th, 12 PM EST at the Georgia Dome and the game will be televised on ABC.