40
Winner SCS
38
P V
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT | OT | OT | OT | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS | 0 | 0 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 40 |
| P V | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
The much-anticipated 2025 lived up to the hype and then some, (although it did not start off that way). It developed into a matchup chock-full of heart-stopping back and forth action as South Carolina State overcame a 21-0 deficit, as well as an injury to starting quarterback William Atkins IV, to claim a 40-38 quadruple overtime win and the HBCU National Championship.
From South Carolina State Athletics
ATLANTA – South Carolina State capped a thrilling championship performance with a dramatic 40-38 victory over Prairie View A&M in four overtimes to win the 10th annual Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, securing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) seventh all-time victory in the event.
Quarterback Ryan Stubblefield connected with Jordan Smith on the decisive two-point conversion in the fourth overtime, and the Bulldogs’ defense sealed the win when Prairie View’s final attempt fell incomplete, igniting a celebration for the MEAC champions.
After both teams traded field goals in the first overtime, the Bulldogs gained momentum in the second extra period when Cornelius Davis intercepted a Stubblefield pass on Prairie View’s opening possession. The Panthers had a chance to end the game moments later, but a missed 31-yard field goal kept South Carolina State alive. Neither team converted during the two-point attempt-only third overtime, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
South Carolina State erased a 21-point halftime deficit with an explosive third quarter, scoring three touchdowns on drives of fewer than 50 yards to pull even and force overtime.
Stubblefield entered the game late in the second quarter and delivered a standout performance, throwing for 234 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target, Smith, accounted for all three Bulldog touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing, and caught the game-winning two-point conversion. Smith finished with nine receptions for 152 yards.
Prairie View A&M quarterback Cameron Peters threw for 412 yards and four touchdown, while Andre Dennis recorded 131 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ historic season.
The Bulldogs finished the season 10-3 and claimed their second Celebration Bowl title, making their third appearance in the game over the past five years. With the victory, the MEAC extended its all-time Celebration Bowl advantage to 7-3.
Prairie View A&M concluded the season 10-4, reaching the 10-win mark for the first time since 1963.
