Jeremy Moses overcame a frustrating first half to throw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including two to Kelvin Dean Jr., powering Florida A&M’s comeback past Howard 30-26 on Saturday in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Florida A&M (12-1), ranked 10th in the top 25 teams in FCS performance statistics after its 10-1 regular season, closed with 11 straight wins. Moses connected with Dean on passes of 21 and 53 yards as the Rattlers rallied from trailing 14-0 in the first quarter and 16-10 to open the fourth quarter.
Carson Hinton’s 26-yard pick gave Howard (6-6) a 26-24 lead.
The Rattlers responded with a 38-yard flea touchdown pass from Moses to Jah-Marae Sheread to regain the advantage. Moses handed the ball off to running back Terrell Jennings, who returned the ball to the quarterback for the crucial touchdown.
Linebacker Isaiah Major’s interception, the third thrown by Howard quarterback Quinton Williams, with 1:45 remaining, sealed the win for Florida A&M.
Jarrett Hunter and Casey Hawthorn ran for touchdowns for the Bison, whose squad includes MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Kenny Gallup Jr., a Churchland High School graduate.
The Rattlers, former MEAC members who were knocked out of their first Southwest Athletic Conference championship, gave their new league only its second win over the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in eight ceremonial bowls. The game is considered by many to be the national championship game between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Vice President Kamala Harris wore a Howard jersey to represent her alma mater while attending the game.
FAMU’s home opener next season will be August 24 at Georgia State’s Center Park against Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
FCS semifinals
Montana 31, North Dakota 29 (two additional districts): Junior Bergen returned a punt in the fourth quarter for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass in the first overtime and threw a two-point conversion on a trick play in the second overtime to put Montana into the FCS championship game with a wild semifinal win at home in Missoula.
Bergen’s layup by Keelan White at the end of the drive was repeated for two points by the Bison after their second overtime touchdown, but Corbin Walker intercepted Raja Nelson, sending the Grizzlies to the final for the first time since 2009.
Second-seeded Montana (13-1) will face top-seeded and defending champion South Dakota State (14-0), which has a 28-game winning streak, in Frisco, Texas, on Jan. 7.
FBS containers
UCLA 35, Boise State 22: Ethan Garbers threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns after replacing an injured Collin Schley early in the second half, TJ Harden rushed for two touchdowns, and UCLA won the Los Angeles Bowl in Inglewood, California.
Playing at SoFi Stadium — 12 miles from the UCLA campus — the Bruins trailed 16-7 in the first half but scored on their first three drives of the second half to take control.
J. Michael Sturdivant had four receptions for 142 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter that put UCLA (8-5) up by three scores.
George Holani had two Boise State touchdowns and finished with 138 yards rushing on 17 carries for the defending champion Mountain West Broncos (8-5).
Fresno State 37, New Mexico State 10: Mickey Kane threw for 380 yards with three touchdown passes and a rushing TD, and Fresno State won the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.
Malik Sherrod rushed for 90 yards on 20 carries and had eight receptions for 81 yards for Fresno State (9-4), which ended the regular season on a three-game skid. The Bulldogs won their fifth straight game.
Keene, a transfer from UCF, completed his first 15 passes, finishing 31 of 39 with an interception.
Fresno State finished with 491 yards of offense and held New Mexico State to 200. Diego Pavia threw for just 58 yards while rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown for the Conference USA runner-up Aggies (10-5), but was sacked four times and intercepted once one.
Late Friday
Cortland 38, North Central 37: Zach Boies threw for 349 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 123 yards, Cortland blocked a two-point conversion attempt with 90 seconds remaining, and the Red Dragons beat defending champion North Central at Salem City Stadium for their first NCAA Division III championship.
Cortland (14-1), which defeated previously undefeated Randolph-Macon in Ashland on Dec. 9 and was playing in the Stagg Bowl for the first time in program history, handed North Central (14-1) its first loss since the 2021 championship game. The Cardinals, in their fourth straight game, won the 2019 national title in addition to last year’s title.
Both teams scored in the final 1:41 — with North Central opting to go for two instead of a potential extra point with 1:20 remaining. Quarterback Luke Lehnen was stuffed running down the left sideline and Cortland recovered an onside kick.
South Dakota State 59, Albany 0: Mark Gronovsky threw for three touchdowns, Isaiah Davis ran for two and Tucker Large returned a punt for a score — all in the first half — as defending national champion South Dakota State (14-0) returned to the FCS championship game with a crushing defeat in Brookings, South Dakota, the last remaining Coastal Athletic Association team in the playoffs.
After a dominant first half, Jason Freeman got a scoop-and-goal from 34 yards out on the second play of the third quarter that made the score 42-0 for the Jackrabbits.
Top-seeded South Dakota State, which has a 28-game winning streak, will play for the championship on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas, against Montana.
Reece Poffenbarger was 30 of 44 for 232 yards with three interceptions for the fifth-seeded Great Danes (11-4), who were 3-8 last season and picked 11th in the CAA.
Florida A&M University emerged victorious in a thrilling match against Howard University in the Celebration Bowl. The Virginian-Pilot reported the exhilarating game, highlighting the impressive performance and resilience of the Florida A&M team. The win was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in college football. With this impressive victory, Florida A&M has solidified their place in the spotlight and has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on all who witnessed their triumphant performance.