HBCU Legends

2023 Celebration Bowl: How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

A new Black College Football National Champion will be crowned following Saturday's 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl.

Kyle T. Mosley

A new Black College Football National Champion will be crowned following Saturday's 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl between the Howard University Bison (6-5) and Florida A&M Rattlers (11-1). FAMU owns the all-time series record of 28-11 over Howard. However, it's the first time both football programs will play for an HBCU title at a Celebration Bowl.

2023 Celebration Bowl Scoreboard, Live Updates, Videos

2023 CELEBRATION BOWL: HOW TO WATCH

TEAMS: Howard Bison (6-5) vs. Florida A&M Rattlers (11-1)
TIME: 12 PM ET
TV: ABC
STREAMING: ESPN3, ESPN+; Live Stream on Fubo: Start your free trial today!

2023 Celebration Bowl 1
2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl; Credit: Celebration Bowl

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

Many pundits believe "It's Their Time" for Willie Simmons and his team to finally ascend to the top of the HBCU football mountain.

Simmons is one of the best collegiate football coaches, posting a 44-13 record as a head coach. In his sixth year at Florida A&M, he's transformed a program that was in shambles to restore the name and brand to a football powerhouse with an 11-1 season. His 2023 postseason accolades include HBCU Legends Coach of the Year, BOXTOROW HBCU Division I Coach of the Year, SWAC Coach of the Year, and AFCA FCS Region 3 Coach of the Year. On Saturday afternoon, the one honor that has alluded him for the past two seasons could very well be the 2023 HBCU Football National Championship Head Coach.

The Rattlers are potent on offense and extremely dangerous on defense, with the renowned "Dark Cloud Defense" who is primed and ready for the national exposure at the Celebration Bowl. Two seasons ago, Jeremy Moussa, the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, transferred to Florida A&M from Vanderbilt University. The senior signal-caller led the SWAC in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and passing yards per game. 

In the FCS, Moussa ranked 24th in passing touchdowns, 21st in passing yards, and 18th in yards per completion. Two of Moussa's most deadly quick-strike players at his disposal are Marcus Riley, Jah'Marae Sheread, and Kamari Young.   His backfield is very good with Terrell Jennings, Kelvin Dean, and Jaquez Yant who can ground and pound with the best in HBCU football.

The SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Isaiah Major, leads a Florida A&M defense with elite performers on every level. The other notable Dark Clouds to watch at the Celebration Bowl include Kendall Bohler, Anthony Dunn Jr., Johnny Chaney Jr., and Javan Morgan. The Rattlers are 1st in the FCS in tackles for loss, averaging 8.2 per contest. Also, they are 6th in sacks, averaging 3 per game. Howard's QB Quinton Williams and his offensive line will find it challenging to pass protect against Anthony Dunn Jr., who ranks 30th in the FCS in sacks.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

The Howard Bison earned the right to fight for a national championship after demolishing North Carolina Central 50-20 and winning the MEAC by defeating Morgan State 14-7 in the season finale. Larry Scott is 14-21 at Howard but 18-23 overall as a head coach. Scott was among the 20 finalists for the 2023 Eddie Robinson Award. Despite four early losses in the season, he guided the Bison to a 4-1 MEAC record.

The Bison's chances of winning the 2023 Celebration Bowl aren't far-fetched ranking 39th in the FCS in total offense. Quarterback Quinton Williams leads the HU offense after being named to the All-MEAC Second Team for 2023. In 11 game appearances this season, he's completed 178/298 passes for 2,158 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions for a QB efficiency rating of 135.6. Wideout Kasey Hawthorne is the Bison's top receiver, with 35 receptions for 504 yards and three touchdowns. 

The rushing attack is 24th in the FCS featuring running backs Jarrett Hunter, Eden James, and Ian Wheeler. Hunter heads the group with 133 carries, 622 yards, and eight touchdowns. At the same time, James is an explosive rusher who posted 99 rushes for 611 yards and two touchdowns this season. One impressive stat is that the Bison rank 9th in the FCS on third-down conversions percentage.

Defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. is the star. The senior was named the 2023 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. On Friday, he also won the 2023 Aeneas Williams Award for being the top HBCU defensive back. Howard's secondary was No. 1 in the nation, allowing only 129.5 passing yards per game, and ranked No. 3 in defensive passing efficiency. To limit FAMU's passing attack, it will be necessary to contain Jeremy Moussa and his crew - a task Gallop Jr. is ready to accept.

Florida A&M and Howard Stats

  • Florida A&M, on average, scores 7.5 more points (30.7) than Howard allows (23.2).
  • When the Rattlers score more than 23.2 points, they are against the spread and overall.
  • This season Howard has forced one turnover, compared to the five times Florida A&M has turned the ball over.
  • Howard has averaged 14.4 more points this season (28.7) than Florida A&M has allowed (14.3).
  • In games where the Bison score more than 14.3 points this season, they are overall and against the spread.
  • Florida A&M has forced three more turnovers this season (3) than Howard has committed (0).

SI's Florida A&M Players to Watch

  • Jeremy Moussa has thrown for 2,449 yards (182-for-312), with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions (204.1 YPG).
  • Terrell Jennings has rushed for a team-best 583 yards (48.6 per game) and scored eight touchdowns.
  • Jaquez Yant has 326 rushing yards on 81 carries, and seven touchdowns.
  • Marcus Riley has 29 receptions for a team-high 522 yards (43.5 per game) and four touchdowns.
  • Jah'Marae Sheread has also contributed with 44 catches for 419 yards and two touchdowns. He has been targeted 49 times and puts up 34.9 receiving yards per game.
  • Kamari Young is averaging 30.1 yards per game, with 23 catches for 361 yards and one touchdown.
  • Anthony Dunn has 7.0 sacks to lead the team, and has also racked up three tackles.
  • Isaiah Major has collected nine tackles, 2.0 TFL, two sacks, and one interception to lead the team in tackles so far.
  • Javan Morgan has picked off three passes to lead the team while adding five tackles, one sack, and two passes defended.

SI's Howard Players to Watch

  • Quinton Williams has 2,158 passing yards (196.2 per game) and a 59.7% completion percentage, throwing 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
  • Jarett Hunter has racked up a team-high 602 rushing yards (54.7 per game) and scored eight touchdowns. He has tacked on 22 catches for 247 yards, with two receiving touchdowns.
  • Eden James has 572 yards on 99 carries (52.0 yards per game), with two rushing touchdowns. He also has 13 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown.
  • Kasey Hawthorne has been targeted 42 times and has 35 catches, leading his team with 504 yards (45.8 per game) while also scoring five touchdowns.
  • Richie Ilarraza's stat line this year shows 30 catches for 300 yards and one touchdown. He averages 27.3 receiving yards per game.
  • This season Darrian Brokenburr leads the team with 4.5 sacks and has added five tackles, one sack, and two passes defended.
  • Carson Hinton's 13 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks mean he's the team's leading tackler.
  • Kenny Gallop has a team-high three interceptions and has tacked on eight tackles, 1.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks in 11 games this season.

BETTING

  • Sports Illustrated's Sportsbook has the Rattlers as a 6.5 favorite over the Bison.
  • Spread: -125 for FAMU and +100 for Howard.
  • Over/Under: 50.5 points
  • Money Line: -275 FAMU, +200 Howard

PREDICTION

Florida A&M 34, Howard 27

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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