On December 13, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, the 10th annual Cricket Celebration Bowl delivered one of the most unforgettable games in HBCU football history. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion South Carolina State Bulldogs (9-3 regular season) faced off against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Prairie View A&M Panthers (9-3), who were making their first-ever appearance in the bowl. What started as a one-sided affair turned into a heart-pounding thriller, with South Carolina State overcoming a 21-0 halftime deficit to win 40-38 in a record-setting four overtimes the longest game in Celebration Bowl history. The victory marked South Carolina State's second HBCU national championship (their first came in 2021) and extended the MEAC's all-time series lead over the SWAC to 7-3.

A crowd of 26,703 the second-lowest attendance in bowl history witnessed Prairie View A&M's explosive first-half dominance, led by quarterback Cameron Peters, who accounted for three touchdowns. But the Bulldogs' resilience shone through after starting quarterback William Atkins IV exited with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Backup Ryan Stubblefield stepped in and engineered a stunning rally, fueled by wide receiver Jordan Smith's multi-touchdown heroics and a defense that forced key stops in overtime. The game featured record-breaking performances, controversial calls, and clutch moments that will be talked about for years.

Play-by-Play Breakdown: From Shutout to Shootout

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First Quarter: Prairie View A&M set the tone early, marching down the field on their opening drive. Cameron Peters capped it with a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ethan John, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead. South Carolina State's offense struggled, gaining minimal yards and punting after three-and-outs. Prairie View's defense recorded early sacks, including contributions from linebacker Sterling Roberts, limiting the Bulldogs to just 19 rushing yards in the half.

Second Quarter: The Panthers extended their lead with a 27-yard rushing touchdown by Peters, making it 14-0. Later, Peters connected with wide receiver Jyzaiah Rockwell on a 14-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 21-0. South Carolina State's Atkins IV couldn't find rhythm, completing only 7-of-9 passes for 45 yards before his injury. The Bulldogs' drives ended in punts or stalled at midfield, with Prairie View's defense adding three sacks in the half alone. At halftime, Prairie View led 21-0, amassing 319 total yards to South Carolina State's 80.

Third Quarter Comeback :Begins South Carolina State's defense sparked the rally when defensive lineman Jordan Dollard recovered a fumble on a Prairie View reverse attempt, returning it to the Panthers' 5-yard line. On the next play, running back Tyler Smith punched in a 5-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

Third Quarter :After a punt return set up good field position, Stubblefield hit wide receiver Nigel Johnson for a 38-yard completion. Jordan Smith then scored on a 10-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 21-14.

Third Quarter :Following a Prairie View three-and-out, Stubblefield found Jordan Smith again for a 19-yard touchdown reception, tying the game at 21-21. The Bulldogs had scored 21 unanswered points in just over 10 minutes.

Prairie View responded quickly. Peters threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Dennis, reclaiming the lead at 28-21.

Fourth Quarter: South Carolina State tied it again when Stubblefield scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. The eight-play drive featured a 33-yard pass to Jordan Smith, making it 28-28.

Peter’s throw bomb to Cameron Bonner for a 78-yard touchdown reception—the longest play from scrimmage in the game putting Prairie View ahead 35-28. Peters was on fire, finishing with 401 passing yards in regulation.

With time winding down, Stubblefield converted a crucial 4th-and-16 to Jordan Smith. Three plays later, he hit Smith for a 10-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 35-35.

With sixteen seconds left Prairie View's Sterling Roberts sacked Stubblefield, forcing the game into overtime.

First Overtime:Both teams traded field goals. Prairie View's Diego Alfaro hit from 36 yards, and South Carolina State's Nico Cavanillas Alti connected from 40 yards (later in OT, Alti set a record with a 48-yarder), tying it at 38-38.

Second Overtime:Stubblefield's third-down pass was tipped and intercepted by Prairie View safety Cornelius Davis in the end zone. But Alfaro missed a game-winning 31-yard field goal by inches to the right, keeping it tied.

Third Overtime:Defenses dominated; neither team scored on their possessions.

Fourth Overtime:Under NCAA rules, teams attempted two-point conversions from the 3-yard line. South Carolina State went first: Stubblefield threw a successful pass to Tyler Smith, who stretched across the goal line for the score (upheld after review despite controversy). Prairie View's attempt saw Peters tackled short of the end zone by the Bulldogs' defense. Final: South Carolina State 40, Prairie View A&M 38.

Key Individual Stats:

Passing: Ryan Stubblefield (SCSU): 15/29, 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. Cameron Peters (PVAMU): 24/36, 412 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT (plus 1/1 for 24 yards by Bonner).

Rushing: Jordan Smith (SCSU): 5 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD. Cameron Peters (PVAMU): 9 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving: Jordan Smith (SCSU): 9 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TD. Andre Dennis (PVAMU): 7 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD. Cameron Bonner (PVAMU): 2 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD.

Defense:Brenyen Scott (SCSU): 9 tackles, 1 TFL. Sterling Roberts (PVAMU): 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks.

Records Broken or Set

This game shattered several Celebration Bowl marks:

Most overtimes: 4 (first time beyond single OT).

Most passing yards by a quarterback: Cameron Peters, 412 (prev. 364 by Kylil Carter, NC A&T, 2019).

Most passing yards by a team: Prairie View A&M, 436 (prev. 364 by NC A&T, 2019).

Most sacks by a player: Sterling Roberts, 2.5 (prev. 2 by James Houston, Jackson State, 2021).

Most sacks by a team: Prairie View A&M, 4 (prev. 3 by multiple teams).

Most receiving yards: Jordan Smith, 152 (prev. 137 by Kevin Coleman Jr., Jackson State, 2022).

Longest field goal: Nico Cavanillas Alti, 48 yards (prev. 45 by Cody Jones, NC A&T, 2015).

The combined 78 points rank among the highest in bowl history, and South Carolina State's 21-point comeback is one of the largest.

MVPs

Offensive MVP:Ryan Stubblefield (South Carolina State) – His 234 passing yards, 2 TDs, and clutch plays in relief duty, including the game-winning two-point pass, earned him the honor.

Defensive MVP:Brenyen Scott (South Carolina State) – Led with 9 tackles and a tackle for loss, anchoring the stops that forced overtime and sealed the win.