Written By: Brian Pohl
Atlanta, GA- The Celebration Bowl and Historically Black Colleges & Universities national championship were decided in a defensive struggle that saw the seventh-ranked North Carolina A&T Aggies defeat the 12th ranked Grambling State Tigers 21-14.
Remaining undefeated for a whole season for the first time in MEAC history, the NC A&T Aggies finished their season 12-0. Redshirt Senior linebacker Jeremy Taylor was asked during the post-game press conference about the feeling of finishing the season undefeated and said, “12-0 is something most teams don’t do, something that most teams don’t get close to doing or seeing.” He continued, “We’re feeling pretty good right now, it’s a great feeling and we’re blessed to be here.”
Throughout the whole season, NC A&T’s offense averaged over 30 points per game, but in a game where points were hard to come by, it was the play of the Aggies defense that helped win the HBCU national championship. Holding Grambling State to just 14-points, the Aggies were able to make the key plays when they were needed most, to give their offense the opportunity to win the football game.
With three forced turnovers, the NC A&T defense were able to prevent Grambling State offense from building any momentum. The lone interception was a key play of the game, as redshirt Freshman cornerback Mac McCain, who would eventually win Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP, made a great play on a throw by Grambling State quarterback Devante Kincade in the end zone. The play saved the defense from giving up any points on the drive, and gave the ball back to the Aggies offense who would score on their best drive of the game and take the lead 14-7.
The NC A&T offense made several mistakes throughout the game, but were able to overcome them with stellar play from their defense. North Carolina A&T head coach Rod Broadway spoke during his post-game press conference about his team’s performance and how they were able to overcome their mistakes to come out victorious saying, “When you pit two good teams together, usually it’s going to come down to who can make the fewest mistakes, and we were able to win the ball game even though we made too many mistakes."
All season the offense was led by MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Lamar Raynard. The Junior quarterback did not have his best performance in the Celebration Bowl though. He completed 23 of 43 passes for 225-yards and a touchdown, however, threw two costly interceptions that stalled out potential scoring drives. Raynard was able to overcome his mistakes to lead a late fourth-quarter drive for a touchdown that would lead to the victory. The seven play 56-yard drive included three straight double-digit completions that moved the Aggies into prime scoring position. At the one-yard line with less than a minute to play, Raynard rushed into the end zone in what would be the game-winning touchdown, sealing the bowl game and national championship for North Carolina A&T.
The Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP went to running back Marquell Cartwright. The redshirt Junior rushed for 110-yards in the game, scoring twice, giving the Aggies a crucial offensive performance in the win. The play of Cartwright, partnered with the play of the Aggie defense, kept NC A&T in the game until they were able to pull ahead for the final time in the deciding minutes of the game.
The two best teams in HBCU football provided a tightly contested game in the first Celebration Bowl inside of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. A close game leading to a thrilling finish in the final minutes of the game was high drama as both teams fought for a national championship. In the end, the NC A&T Aggies were able to overcome their mistakes to complete perfection and become the first undefeated season in MEAC history.
Remaining undefeated for a whole season for the first time in MEAC history, the NC A&T Aggies finished their season 12-0. Redshirt Senior linebacker Jeremy Taylor was asked during the post-game press conference about the feeling of finishing the season undefeated and said, “12-0 is something most teams don’t do, something that most teams don’t get close to doing or seeing.” He continued, “We’re feeling pretty good right now, it’s a great feeling and we’re blessed to be here.”
Throughout the whole season, NC A&T’s offense averaged over 30 points per game, but in a game where points were hard to come by, it was the play of the Aggies defense that helped win the HBCU national championship. Holding Grambling State to just 14-points, the Aggies were able to make the key plays when they were needed most, to give their offense the opportunity to win the football game.
With three forced turnovers, the NC A&T defense were able to prevent Grambling State offense from building any momentum. The lone interception was a key play of the game, as redshirt Freshman cornerback Mac McCain, who would eventually win Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP, made a great play on a throw by Grambling State quarterback Devante Kincade in the end zone. The play saved the defense from giving up any points on the drive, and gave the ball back to the Aggies offense who would score on their best drive of the game and take the lead 14-7.
The NC A&T offense made several mistakes throughout the game, but were able to overcome them with stellar play from their defense. North Carolina A&T head coach Rod Broadway spoke during his post-game press conference about his team’s performance and how they were able to overcome their mistakes to come out victorious saying, “When you pit two good teams together, usually it’s going to come down to who can make the fewest mistakes, and we were able to win the ball game even though we made too many mistakes."
All season the offense was led by MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Lamar Raynard. The Junior quarterback did not have his best performance in the Celebration Bowl though. He completed 23 of 43 passes for 225-yards and a touchdown, however, threw two costly interceptions that stalled out potential scoring drives. Raynard was able to overcome his mistakes to lead a late fourth-quarter drive for a touchdown that would lead to the victory. The seven play 56-yard drive included three straight double-digit completions that moved the Aggies into prime scoring position. At the one-yard line with less than a minute to play, Raynard rushed into the end zone in what would be the game-winning touchdown, sealing the bowl game and national championship for North Carolina A&T.
The Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP went to running back Marquell Cartwright. The redshirt Junior rushed for 110-yards in the game, scoring twice, giving the Aggies a crucial offensive performance in the win. The play of Cartwright, partnered with the play of the Aggie defense, kept NC A&T in the game until they were able to pull ahead for the final time in the deciding minutes of the game.
The two best teams in HBCU football provided a tightly contested game in the first Celebration Bowl inside of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. A close game leading to a thrilling finish in the final minutes of the game was high drama as both teams fought for a national championship. In the end, the NC A&T Aggies were able to overcome their mistakes to complete perfection and become the first undefeated season in MEAC history.