The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Howard University Bisons 30-26 at the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday (Dec. 16) and were crowned the 2023 HBCU College Football National Champions, Sports Illustrated

Following the thrilling game, FAMU head coach Willie Simmons expressed his gratitude for the significant accomplishment.

“We really wanted to honor that ’78 team by winning the national championship and I know coach (Rudy) Hubbard is smiling,” Simmons said, in a nod to the 1978 Rattlers, who won the Division 1-AA national championship under Hubbard’s leadership.

While the Rattlers ultimately won the hard-fought game, it was a test of perseverance and a come-from-behind effort as Howard brought its A-game to the field.

Early in the contest, the Bisons jumped out to a 14-0 lead on the Rattlers with Jarett Hunter scoring on the first drive of the game.  Eventually, the Rattlers settled in, and running back Terrell Jennings scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7. At halftime, the Bisons led 16-10.

As the third quarter commenced, it quickly became a defensive struggle as both teams went scoreless during the period.

By the fourth quarter, the floodgates opened with Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa throwing three touchdown passes in just the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Kelvin Dean Jr., caught two touchdowns for  87 yards and was named the Celebration Bowl Offensive Player of the Game.

In a post-game interview, Dean shared the significance of the Rattlers capturing the championship.

“It means the world. I put so much work in to get to this position all the folks in Tallahassee that supported me all the way I just want to give a big shout-out to them and it feels amazing I’m just so glad to be here,” Dean said.

This historic victory was the first time that FAMU won the HBCU national championship since 1998. The win happened 45 years to the day on the same day that FAMU won its Division 1-AA championship.