North Carolina Central defeated previously undefeated Jackson State 41-34 in overtime to win the 2022 Celebration Bowl. The win is North Carolina Central’s first Celebration Bowl title.
statistics: Click or tap here for full 2022 Celebration Bowl stats
For the first time in Celebration Bowl history, overtime was played to determine the 2022 winner. North Carolina Central got the ball first and quarterback Davius Richard scored a touchdown on a quarterback sneak. The Eagle defense then stepped up and finished the job. After taking his third down from Jackson State, the Eagles put pressure on Schedul his Sanders and forced an incomplete pass to win the game.
“A Drop Heard Around the World” #CelebrationBowl pic.twitter.com/J63ndRPIGp
— Bluebloods (@The__Bluebloods) December 17, 2022
North Carolina Central stopped Jackson State at the 1-yard line to win 41-34 in overtime! The Eagles are your 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl champions! @NCCU_Football @NCCU Athletics @MEACSsports pic.twitter.com/PMS0Zwn7ID
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 17, 2022
North Carolina Central’s win is the MEAC’s fifth straight win in the Celebration Bowl. The conference is now 6-1 with him in the bowl game.
| Year | champion | Score | second place | site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Central North Carolina (MEAC) | 41-34 (OT) | Jackson State (SWAC) | mercedes benz stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2021 | south carolina (MEAC) | 31-10 | Jackson State (SWAC) | mercedes benz stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2020 — Canceled due to COVID-19 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 64-44 | Alcorn Province (SWAC) | mercedes benz stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2018 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 24-22 | Alcorn Province (SWAC) | mercedes benz stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2017 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 21-14 | Grambling state (SWAC) | mercedes benz stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2016 | Grambling state (SWAC) | 10-9 | Central North Carolina (MEAC) | georgia dome, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2015 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 41-34 | Alcorn Province (SWAC) | georgia dome, Atlanta, Georgia |
🏆: Complete HBCU Championship History
North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard passed 15-20 for 177 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns, caught two passes and finished 33. He took home Offensive MVP honors after completing yards and two point conversions. Eagle defensive his back Khalil Baker led the team with 10 tackles and was named defensive MVP.
