The 10th anniversary of the Cricket Celebration Bowl delivered a finish worthy of HBCU football history.
In one of the most dramatic games the event has ever seen, South Carolina State erased a 28-point deficit, survived a late Prairie View A&M surge, and outlasted the Panthers in quadruple overtime to secure a 40–38 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bulldogs’ comeback not only crowned them HBCU national champions, but also set new Celebration Bowl records and instantly became one of the event’s defining moments.
Prairie View Dominates Early
For nearly two quarters, Prairie View A&M looked firmly in control. Quarterback Cameron Peters orchestrated a dynamic offensive attack, mixing deep passes with timely runs to keep South Carolina State on its heels.
The Panthers struck first late in the opening quarter when Peters connected with Ethan John on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Momentum continued into the second quarter as Peters scored on a 27-yard run and later found Jyzaiah Rockwell in the end zone, giving Prairie View a commanding 21–0 halftime lead.
That dominance carried into the third quarter. Peters opened the second half with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Andre Dennis, pushing the Panthers ahead 28–0 and putting Prairie View on the verge of a statement win on the sport’s biggest HBCU stage.
The Momentum Shift
Then everything changed.
South Carolina State responded with urgency, leaning on Offensive MVP Ryan Stubblefield to spark the comeback. Stubblefield capped a drive with a five-yard touchdown run to get the Bulldogs on the board, and moments later Jordan Smith broke through on a 10-yard scoring run.
With the deficit shrinking, Stubblefield delivered again, connecting with Smith on a 19-yard touchdown pass that suddenly turned a blowout into a one-score game. By early in the fourth quarter, Stubblefield powered in from one yard out, completing the comeback and tying the game at 28–28.
Late Drama Forces Overtime
Prairie View refused to fold. Peters answered immediately, launching a 78-yard touchdown strike to Cameron Bonner to reclaim the lead. But Stubblefield, steady under pressure, led South Carolina State down the field once more and found Jordan Smith for a 10-yard touchdown with under two minutes remaining, tying the game at 35–35 and forcing overtime.
Four Overtimes to Decide a Champion
The tension escalated in overtime. Both teams traded field goals in the first extra period. The second overtime ended scoreless. Under college football rules, the third overtime shifted to alternating two-point conversions — and both teams failed to convert.
In the fourth overtime, South Carolina State finally broke through when Tyler Smith converted the Bulldogs’ two-point attempt. Prairie View’s final try fell short, sealing a 40–38 victory and completing the largest comeback in Celebration Bowl history.
By the Numbers
Despite the loss, Prairie View A&M’s offense put on a historic passing display, finishing with 491 total yards and a Celebration Bowl–record 436 passing yards. Cameron Peters threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns, setting a new individual passing record for the game.
South Carolina State countered with balance, controlling the clock for over 34 minutes and running 80 plays. Ryan Stubblefield finished with 234 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, and was named Offensive MVP. Jordan Smith was nearly unstoppable, hauling in nine receptions for 152 yards and two receiving touchdowns while adding a rushing score — both marks setting new Celebration Bowl records.
Defensively, Brenyen Scott led South Carolina State with nine tackles and earned Defensive MVP honors. Prairie View’s Sterling Roberts recorded 11 tackles and a record 2.5 sacks.
A Historic Anniversary Finish
The four-overtime thriller surpassed the previous Celebration Bowl overtime record set in 2022, when North Carolina Central defeated Jackson State in double overtime. In front of 26,703 fans, the 10th anniversary delivered exactly what the Celebration Bowl was created for — elite HBCU football, unforgettable drama, and history made under the bright lights.
Prairie View A&M’s aerial attack lit up the scoreboard, but South Carolina State’s resilience defined the night. Down 28–0 and facing long odds, the Bulldogs never wavered. Their comeback — powered by belief, execution, and a quarterback who refused to let the moment slip away — etched this game permanently into HBCU football lore.
