Florida A&M wins the 2023 Celebration Bowl, rallies to defeat Howard
Florida A&M wins the 2023 Celebration Bowl
Florida A&M won the 2023 Celebration Bowl 30-26. The Rattlers are just the second SWAC school to win the Celebration Bowl.
After trailing for the first three quarters, Florida A&M rallied behind two Jeremy Moussa touchdown passes to Kevin Dean Jr. in the fourth quarter to take the lead. Florida A&M's "Dark Cloud Defense" also stepped up in the final frame, grabbing two interceptions in the fourth to ice the game.
Interception
Florida A&M cornerback Kendall Bohler intercepted Howard quarterback Quinton Williams to stall a Bison drive into Rattler territory. Florida A&M leads 30-26 with less than five minutes to play. Howard only has one timeout remaining.
Rattlers take the lead right back! FAMU 30, Howard 26 | 4Q - 5:46
Florida A&M answers Howard's call to take the lead again as QB Moussa throws a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jah'Marae Sheread. Right after, the Rattlers fell short of another scoring opportunity due to a failed two-point conversion.
Pick-Six! Howard 26, FAMU 24 | 4Q - 7:14
Howard defensive back Carson Hinton intercepted a pass intended for FAMU wide receiver Marcus Riley to take it to the house for a 27-yard rushing touchdown. As Howard takes the lead, FAMU's drive picked back up at the 34-yard-line with 7:09 left on the clock in the fourth.
Rattlers score again! FAMU 24, Howard 16 | 4Q - 10:58
Three minutes after taking the lead, FAMU QB Jeremy Moussa finds Kelton Dean Jr. again for a deep 53-yard passing touchdown. So far in the fourth quarter, the Rattlers have scored 14 points and accounted for 109 total yards in comparison to Howard's five.
Rattlers take the lead! FAMU 17, Howard 16 | 4Q - 13:45
After a scoreless third quarter, Florida A&M put up a fight in the fourth as QB Jeremy Moussa threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back Kelvin Dean Jr. This is Florida A&M's first lead of the game.
4th | 13:45
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
TOUCHDOWN RATTLERS!!
Moussa finds Kelvin Dean Jr. up the seam for six!
FAMU - 17
HU - 16 | |
Third quarter update: Howard 16, Florida A&M 10
Howard leads Florida A&M 16-10 after a scoreless third quarter.
The last score came when FAMU kicked a field goal shortly before halftime.
Click or tap here for stats from the game.
Interception Rattlers
Interception Bison
Safety
Howard defensive end Darrian Brokenburr sacked Jeremy Moussa in the endzone to add two points to its lead. The score is the first safety in the eight-year history of the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
FAMU gets on the board! Bison 14, Rattlers 7 | 2Q - 13:20
After a scoreless first quarter Florida A&M scored its points of the Celebration Bowl as running back ran in for a three-yard touchdown. The Rattlers scored in nine plays after great field position because Howard shanked a 32-yard punt.
First quarter update: Howard 14, Florida A&M 0
Howard leads Florida A&M 14-0 after a strong first quarter. The Bison scored quickly after a 63-yard kickoff return from Ian Wheeler set them up with great field position. Shortly after, Jarett Hunter ran in for an eight-yard score to get the Howard on the board.
Howard's defense has been flying around the ball in the first quarter constantly getting pressure on SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa, That included a sack-fumble that led to Howard's second score. Florida A&M had a sack-fumble of its own, but the play was overturned after a facemask.
Despite Florida A&M's offensive struggles in the first quarter, the Rattlers will open the second quarter with the ball at the Howard 14-yard line facing 1st-and-10. Click or tap here for stats from the game.
Howard strikes again
The Bison score again five minutes into the first quarter after Howard's Kasey Hawthorne avoids the Dark Cloud Defense for a three-yard rushing TD.
Fumble Alert: Howard takes advantage and recovers
After FAMU's QB Jeremy Moussa is taken down by the Bison defense, Howard's Carson Hinton finds an opportunity and recovers; placing the ball back in the hands of the Bison.
WHAT A START FOR THE BISON
— Matthew (@HildenbrandMa)
Howard strikes first! Bison 7, Rattlers 0 | 1Q -13:29
After running back Ian Wheeler returned the opening kickoff 63 yards, Howard scored the first points of the Celebration Bowl as Jarett Hunter ran up the middle for an eight-yard rushing touchdown.
Howard strikes 1st in the
— Marcus Matthews (@GOOCHAVELI)