Bison to the Celebration Bowl! | MEAC Football
Howard University's historic journey to the Cricket Celebration Bowl marks a monumental achievement for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Bison clinched their first-ever invitation after a hard-fought 14-7 victory over rival Morgan State University, capping off a season where they boasted a record of 6-5 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Their late-season surge, highlighted by crucial wins over the North Carolina Central Eagles and the Morgan State Bears, propelled them to this prestigious bowl game.
As the MEAC representative, Howard now prepares to face the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The upcoming SWAC Championship Game on December 2, 2023, will determine whether the Prairie View A&M Panthers or the Florida A&M Rattlers will earn the right to challenge Howard in Atlanta.
The Florida A&M Rattlers, led by SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Quarterback Jeremy Moussa, boast a formidable offense that topped the SWAC in passing yards and touchdowns this season. Despite a convincing prior victory over the Panthers, FAMU Head Football Coach Willie Simmons stresses a "process-focused" approach to guard against underestimating their opponents.
On the flip side, the disciplined Panthers, ranked as the third least penalized team in the SWAC, face a daunting challenge against the favored Rattlers. The SWAC Championship promises to be a clash of strengths and strategies, determining who will join the MEAC champion Howard Bison in the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Now in its eighth year, the Celebration Bowl has become a cornerstone event celebrating the heritage, legacy, pageantry, and tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This championship-style game, televised nationally on ABC, showcases the best of MEAC and SWAC football.
Beyond the game itself, the Celebration Bowl weekend offers a range of ancillary events including fan experiences, community service projects, and the inaugural Band of the Year National Championship. With a history of sold-out crowds and significant television viewership, the Celebration Bowl continues to elevate in prominence.
As Howard University makes its debut in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, anticipation builds for a matchup that not only showcases excellence on the gridiron but also honors the rich traditions of HBCU football. The collision of MEAC and SWAC champions in Atlanta promises to add another memorable chapter to the legacy of this premier college football bowl game.
