Last Updated 1:14 PM, December 17, 2023

Recapping the 2023 HBCU football season

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Florida A&M's Jeremy Moussa speaks after Celebration Bowl win over Howard
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2:34 am, December 17, 2023

👀 The final HBCU power rankings

The 2023 HBCU football season is over and it's time to take a look at the final HBCU football power rankings from  The power rankings look at the 2023 HBCU football season at the FCS level from a cumulative perspective, evaluating the entire season from start to finish.

Find out where every team landed and who took the top spot by clicking or tapping here.

2:34 am, December 17, 2023

Florida A&M wins 2023 Celebration Bowl

Celebration Bowl

Florida A&M defeated Howard 30-26 in to win the 2023 Celebration Bowl. The win is Florida A&M's first Celebration Bowl title. The Rattler win is the SWAC's second overall in the Celebration Bowl; the conference is now 2-6 in the bowl game.

Click or tap here to see how FAMU won from start to finish.

Below you can find an updated Celebration Bowl history.

YEAR CHAMPION SCORE RUNNER-UP SITE
2023 Florida A&M (SWAC) 30-26 Howard (MEAC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA
2022 North Carolina Central (MEAC) 41-34 (OT) Jackson State (SWAC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA
2021 South Carolina State (MEAC) 31-10 Jackson State (SWAC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA
2020 — Canceled due to Covid-19 -- -- -- --
2019 North Carolina A&T (MEAC) 64-44 Alcorn State (SWAC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA
2018 North Carolina A&T (MEAC) 24-22 Alcorn State (SWAC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA
2017 North Carolina A&T (MEAC) 21-14 Grambling State (SWAC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA
2016 Grambling State (SWAC) 10-9 North Carolina Central (MEAC) Georgia Dome,
Atlanta GA
2015 North Carolina A&T (MEAC) 41-34 Alcorn State (SWAC) Georgia Dome,
Atlanta GA
4:36 pm, November 30, 2023

🏆 Florida A&M crowned SWAC Champions

Florida A&M 35, Prarie View A&M 14

The Rattlers downed Prairie View A&M 35-14 in the 2023 SWAC Championship. It's Florida A&M's first SWAC title.

Lightning delays could not stop the action from both Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M. By halftime, the Rattlers held on to a 21-7 lead. After the Rattlers failed to convert on a fourth down, the Panthers found an opening and crossed the goal line for a 35-yard rushing TD. The Rattlers responded with a touchdown of their own and another in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. Winning their first-ever SWAC Championship allows the Rattlers to claim the second spot in the Celebration Bowl against Howard.

4:35 pm, November 30, 2023

All-HBCU: The top HBCU football players, by position, from the 2023 season

Top hbcu players

The 2023 HBCU football season is almost finished, but talented players shined throughout the FCS season. A select group of players stood out among their peers, thanks to on-field performances. We made a list of the top players, by position, from the 2023 HBCU football season.

Here's a breakdown of what schools had the most players on this All-HBCU team.

Top players breakdown

Number of Players by School
NUMBER OF PLAYERS SCHOOL
7 North Carolina Central
4 Howard
2 Alabama State, Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff,
Florida A&M, Morgan State, Southern, Texas Southern
1 Bethune-Cookman, Grambling State, North Carolina A&T,
South Carolina State, Tennessee State

Click or tap here to see the complete All-HBCU team, position by position

4:34 pm, November 30, 2023

HBCU football finalists for national awards

X HBCU football players and coaches were named finalists for FCS national awards. See the finalists below:

Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year)

  • Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M, QB
  • Davius Richard, North Carolina Central, QB
  • LaDarius Owens, Texas Southern, RB

Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year)

  • Terrell Allen, Tennessee State, DL
  • Colton Adams, Alabama State, LB
  • Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB
  • Isaiah Major, Florida A&M, LB
  • Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, S

Jerry Rice Award (FCS Rookie of the Year)

  • Jawarn Howell, South Carolina State, RB
  • Ty’Jarian Williams, Mississippi Valley State, QB

  • Trei Oliver, North Carolina Central
  • Larry Scott, Howard
  • Willie Simmons, Florida A&M
4:34 pm, November 30, 2023

HBCU conference players of the year, all-conference teams

SWAC players of the year

The MEAC, SWAC, CAA and Big South-OVC have announced their 2023 all-conference teams and conference players of the year. Here are the HBCU players that earned accolades:

Players of the Year

  • Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jeremy Moussa | Florida A&M
  • Defensive Player of the Year: LB Isaiah Major | Florida A&M
  • Newcomer of the Year: QB Jace Wilson | Texas Southern
  • Freshman of the Year: WR Javon Robinson | Grambling State
  • Coach of the Year: Willie Simmons | Florida A&M

MEAC offensive and defensive players of the year
  • Offensive Player of the Year: QB Davius Richard | North Carolina Central
  • Defensive Player of the Year: S Kenny Gallop Jr. | Howard
  • Offensive Lineman of the Year: OL Torricelli Simpkins III | North Carolina Central
  • Rookie of the Year: RB Jawarn Howell | South Carolina State
  • Coach of the Year: Trei Oliver | North Carolina Central

The MEAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year recipients will be announced during the National Football Hall of Fame as a part of the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

  • Defensive Player of the Year: DL Terrell Allen | Tennessee State
  • Defensive Freshman of the Year: DL Eriq George | Tennessee State

All-conference teams

Click any of the links below for all-conference lists

4:24 pm, November 30, 2023

HBCU football head coach openings

The following FCS HBCU football coaches have been fired after the 2023 season:

  • Hue Jackson | Grambling State
  • Eric Dooley | Southern 
  • Clarence McKinney | Texas Southern
6:18 pm, November 20, 2023

🗓 HBCU football Postseason/Week 13: Scores, Results, Game times, TV channels

HBCU football in the FCS continues with an FCS playoff game and the two regular season classics. Click or tap here for a live scoreboard.

Full Postseason/Week 13 HBCU football schedule

All times Eastern. All rankings via FCS Coaches Poll. Click any of the games below for stats.

Thursday, Nov. 16

Saturday, Nov. 25

5:51 pm, November 19, 2023

🦅 North Carolina Central makes the FCS playoffs

nccu

North Carolina Central earned an at-large spot to the 2023 FCS playoffs. The Eagles will head to Richmond to play a first-round game on November 25 at 2 p.m. ET. Click or tap here for more playoff information

3:00 am, November 19, 2023

🏆 Prairie View A&M wins SWAC West

Prairie View A&M clinched the SWAC West title with a 21-14 win over Alabama State. The Panthers will advance to play Florida A&M in the 2023 SWAC Championship on Dec. 2, 2023.

9:14 pm, November 18, 2023

🏆 Howard clinches MEAC title

Howard football

With a 14-7 victory over Morgan State, Howard claims the MEAC title and its first Celebration Bowl berth. See the final stats here.

9:10 pm, November 16, 2023

🗓 HBCU football Week 12: Scores, Results, Game times, TV channels

The final full weekend of HBCU football in the FCS is here in Week 12. Click or tap here for a live scoreboard.

Full Week 12 HBCU football schedule

All rankings via FCS Coaches Poll. Click any of the games below for stats.

Teams with byes: Southern, Grambling State

Thursday, Nov. 16

Saturday, Nov. 18

Week 12 HBCU football Game of the Week

Here is Week 12's HBCU football Game of the Week from NCAA Digital's Stan Becton.

HBCU game of the week: Morgan State at Howard

The MEAC title is on the line. If Howard wins it wins the MEAC, but Morgan State is making the trip down I-95 with its eyes set at a title run of its own. All of the eyes of Durham, North Carolina and FCS at-large hopefuls will be in Washington, D.C. to see the outcome of this game.

11:41 pm, November 12, 2023

SWAC West Division scenarios

Here's how the SWAC West divisional title can be clinched in Week 12:

  • Prairie View A&M wins the divisional title IF:
    • Prairie View A&M def. Alabama State 
  • Alcorn State wins the divisional title IF:
    • Alabama State def. Prairie View A&M AND Alcorn State def. Jackson State

If neither scenario happens, the SWAC West title won't be decided before the Bayou Classic.

11:39 pm, November 11, 2023

MEAC title scenarios

MEAC

The MEAC title and a Celebration Bowl berth is up for grabs. Here's the conference title scenario entering the final week.

  • Howard
    • In with win over Morgan State
  • North Carolina Central
    • In with win over Delaware State and Howard loss
  • Morgan State
    • In with win over Howard and NC Central loss