Florida A&M Crowned HBCU Football National Champions, Defeating Howard in 2023 Celebration Bowl

The Florida A&M Rattlers are the 2023 HBCU College Football National Champions after defeating the Howard Bison at the 2023 Celebration Bowl.

The 2023 HBCU College Football National Champions are the Florida A&M Rattlers who defeated the Howard University Bison 30-26 at the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl. It's Willie Simmons' first national championship as a head football coach.

The Howard Bison capitalized off early miscues by the Rattlers to lead 16-10 by halftime. Kick returner Michael Smith took the opening kickoff 63 yards to get the Bison to the FAMU 27-yard line immediately. Four plays later, running back Jarrett Hunter broke through the FAMU defensive line for an eight-yard touchdown after a 4-play, 27-yard drive. Only 1:21 expired off the clock as Howard led 7-0 at 13:29 in the first quarter.  

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

On the following drive, Moussa was sacked and fumbled off a blitz. Howard recovered the football at the 29-yard line and was primed for another score. The Bison led 14-0 after marching seven plays and 37 yards when Kasey Hawthorne scored on a 3-yard plunge into the end zone at 10:04 in the first period. 

However, a safety, ill-timed penalties, and a failed tush-push marred Florida A&M's first-half effort. Jeremy Moussa was rattled by the Bison's defense with under 100 passing yards, two sacks, and an interception. FAMU finally got the Rattlers on the board when Terrell Jennings lumbered in from 3 yards out to record the Rattlers' first-game score, 14-7, at 13:20 in the 3rd.

A few possessions later, Howard's defensive lineman Darrian Brokenburr sacked Moussa in the endzone, resulting in a safety. Howard increased its lead 16-7 with 9:37 before intermission.  

Neither team could move the football until Willie Simmons called plays to engineer an 11-play, 39-yard drive. Cameron Gillis boomed a 41-yard field goal with 11 seconds on the clock with halftime approaching. At halftime, the teams retreated to their respective locker rooms, with the Bison in the lead at 16-10.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings (23) runs the ball against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Moussa missed a wide-open Nicholas Dixon in the fourth quarter to give them a goal-to-go field position. On the next play, Moussa threw a strike to Kamari Young for an 18-yard touchdown to capture their first lead, 17-16.   

The Dark Cloud Defense shut down Howard's offense for a 3-and-out and gave the Rattlers' offense good field position after the punt landed at the 30-yard line.  

Kelvin Dean snuck out of the FAMU backfield into the left flat on a wheel route. Moussa perfectly placed the football, and Dean walked into the end zone for a 53-yard touchdown play. Florida would take an eight-point lead at 24-16 with 10:58 remaining in the contest.   

Placekicker Aaron Bickerton kicked a 40-yard field goal for the Bison to edge closer, 24-19, with 7:55 on the clock in the final stanza. On the next drive, Howard's defensive back Dylan White read Moussa's eyes to pick off a behind-the-line-of-scrimmage pass for a pick-six touchdown play. The Bison would lead 26-24 with 7:09 on the scoreboard. Larry Scott decided to kick an extra point instead of attempting a two-point play to lead by one point.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings (23) runs the ball against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

It didn't matter because Willie Simmons' called a flea-flicker to allow Moussa to find wideout Jah'Marae Sheread for a wide-open touchdown reception. FAMU reclaimed the lead 30-26 as the extra point attempt failed with 3 fouls called.   Center T.J. Lee was ejected from the game because he spat in the face of a Howard player, giving the Bison a chance of good field position.

Wheeler had a 41-yard kickoff return to the FAMU's 41-yard line after the ejection of Lee. Three plays later, and 4:11 on the scoreboard, Kendall Bohler intercepted Quinton Williams. However, the Rattlers went 3-and-out, and then Trey Wilhoit boomed a 52-yard punt to send Howard back to their 23-yard line with 1:50 remaining. The Bison receiver fell on the next play, but the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year sealed the game with an interception. Ball game!

Coach Willie Simmons and the Florida A&M University Rattlers are the 2023 HBCU Football National Champions!

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