Game Recap: FAMU football wins HBCU national championship, beat Howard in Celebration Bowl

ATLANTA ― The Florida A&M Rattlers are at Mercedes-Benz Stadium facing the Howard Bison in the HBCU Celebration Bowl to determine the Black College Football National Champion.

FAMU (11-1) represents the Southwestern Athletic Conference after claiming the title over Prairie View A&M. Howard (6-5) represents the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for clinching the trophy on Nov. 18.

It’s both team’s first appearance in the Celebration Bowl. Vice president and Howard alumna Kamala Harris will be on hand.

The Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll’s fifth-ranked FAMU is riding a 10-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Howard has won two straight games, including a 50-20 victory over FCS Coaches Poll 13th-ranked and playoff qualifier North Carolina Central.

Keep scrolling for updates, and refresh the page to stay up to speed.

3:47 p.m. | FAMU wins Black College National Title, holds off Howard

The Rattlers are National Champions!

FAMU beats Howard 30-26 to claim the program's first Celebration Bowl and is the Black College Football National Champions.

Rattlers score three fourth-quarter touchdowns to hold off Howard in front of 41,108 fans in Atlanta.

FINAL: FAMU 30, Howard 26

3:25 p.m. | Rattlers bite back, take the lead again

FAMU is back in the lead after Jeremy Moussa connected with Jah'Marae Sheread for a 38-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing two-point conversion was no good.

Rattlers go four plays, 66 yards to take the lead back from Howard, just minutes after losing the lead.

4Q | 5:46 | FAMU 30, Howard 26

3:21 p.m. | Howard take back the lead

One play after the Howard field goal, Bison defensive back Carson Hinton intercepts FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa and scores on the return to give Howard the lead.

4Q | 7:14 | Howard 26, FAMU 24

3:15 p.m. | Howard cut FAMU's lead to five

The Bison tacked on three points after a 40-yard field goal, narrowing the score to 24-19 late in the fourth quarter.

Howard goes six-plays and 43 yards for the field goal.

4Q | 7:55 | FAMU 24, Howard 19

3:01 p.m. | FAMU extends lead in fourth quarter

The Rattlers strike again in the fourth quarter, with quarterback Jeremy Moussa connecting with Kelvin Dean for a 53-yard score, the duo's second connection of the afternoon.

A three-play, 70-yard drive by FAMU to take an eight-point lead. Two scores in two minutes for the Rattlers.

4Q | 11:24 | FAMU 24, Howard 16

2:48 p.m. | FAMU take first lead of the game

For the first time this afternoon, FAMU leads Howard in the Celebration Bowl. Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Dean for the score.

A 12-play 83-yard scoring drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock.

4Q | 13:52 | FAMU 17, Howard 16

2:39 p.m. | Howard leads FAMU to start the fourth quarter

After a scoreless third quarter, Howard leads FAMU 16-10 in the Celebration Bowl.

Rattlers face 4th and 5 to open the final period of play.

2:31 p.m. | FAMU, Howard's defense shinning in the second half

It's been a defensive battle in the third quarter, with both teams getting stops from the respective defenses.

Both teams punted on the opening drives in the second half.

3Q | 2:56 | Howard 16, FAMU 10

2:05 p.m. | Second half kicks off, FAMU offense on the field

Rattlers receive the opening kick of the second half and start the drive at the 20-yard line.

Howard leads FAMU 16-10 to start the half.

1:47 p.m. | FAMU and Howard closely contested at halftime

Howard leads FAMU 16-10 at halftime in the HBCU Celebration Bowl.

FAMU is outgaining Howard 115-99.

But four penalties for 38 yards and two turnovers has haunted the Rattlers.

FAMU has to hold on to the ball, clear up mistakes, and stop putting the defense in unfavorable situations such as short fields to complete the combat.

1:23 p.m. | FAMU's mistakes halting comeback effort

FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa threw an interception to Howard.

It's the Rattlers' second turnover of the day.

Additionally, FAMU lost 38 yards on four penalties. Two of those have negated touchdowns.

1:10 p.m. | Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on Celebration Bowl

Howard alumna and Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris was interviewed by the ESPN broadcast and spoke on her support for Howard in the Celebration Bowl.

12:54 p.m. | FAMU showing signs of life

It was a shaky start for the Rattlers.

But they're on the board.

FAMU put together a 10-play, 46-yard drive punctuated by a three-yard touchdown by running back Terrell Jennings.

2Q | 13:20 | Howard 14, FAMU 7

12:44 p.m. | FSU's Mike Norvell tweets support for FAMU

All eyes on FAMU this afternoon as Florida State football head coach Mike Norvell posted his support for the Rattlers on the social media website X.

12:25 p.m. | FAMU trailing Howard early

The Rattlers defense has been placed in unfavorable situations to start the game.

Both of Howard's drives have began beyond the 50-yard line with the latest starting on the 37-yard line.

Howard wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne rushed for a 3-yard touchdown.

1Q | 10:04 | Howard 14, FAMU 0

12:11 p.m. | Howard gets on the board first

Following the 66-yard kickoff return, the Bison ran four plays and got into the endzone for the first score of the game.

After four straight passes, Bison running back Jarrett Fuller ran in for an 8-yard score. Four plays and a 27-yard drive for Howard.

12:05 p.m. | Celebration Bowl kickoff, Howard starts with the football

Howard takes the opening kickoff to the FAMU 27-yard line on a 56-yard kickoff.

11:58 a.m. | FAMU, Howard takes the field at the HBCU Celebration Bowl

Both the Rattlers and Bison are on the field for final pregame preparations ahead of kickoff of the HBCU Celebration Bowl.

United States Vice President Kamala Harris is in attendance for this afternoon's game. Harris is a Howard alumna.

10:47 a.m. | FAMU Marching 100, Howard 'Showtime' band arrive

Atlanta Weather: 52 degrees

Teams are warming up on the field.

FAMU's Marching '100' Howard's 'Showtime' band have arrived on the scene.

What time is the Celebration Bowl?

• When: Noon Saturday, December 16

• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

What channel is FAMU vs. Howard on today?

• TV: ABC (check local listings)

• Streaming: WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

Florida A&M vs. Howard can be seen on ABC. Tiffany Greene will do the play-by-play with Jay Walker as analyst and Quint Kessenich as sideline reporter.

Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

FAMU football schedule 2023

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU defeats Howard to win the Celebration Bowl football championship