Recapping the 2023 HBCU football season
👀 The final HBCU power rankings
The 2023 HBCU football season is over and it's time to take a look at the final HBCU football power rankings from The power rankings look at the 2023 HBCU football season at the FCS level from a cumulative perspective, evaluating the entire season from start to finish.
Find out where every team landed and who took the top spot by clicking or tapping here.
Florida A&M wins 2023 Celebration Bowl
Florida A&M defeated Howard 30-26 in to win the 2023 Celebration Bowl. The win is Florida A&M's first Celebration Bowl title. The Rattler win is the SWAC's second overall in the Celebration Bowl; the conference is now 2-6 in the bowl game.
Click or tap here to see how FAMU won from start to finish.
Below you can find an updated Celebration Bowl history.
| YEAR | CHAMPION | SCORE | RUNNER-UP | SITE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Florida A&M (SWAC) | 30-26 | Howard (MEAC) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA |
| 2022 | North Carolina Central (MEAC) | 41-34 (OT) | Jackson State (SWAC) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA |
| 2021 | South Carolina State (MEAC) | 31-10 | Jackson State (SWAC) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA |
| 2020 — Canceled due to Covid-19 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2019 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 64-44 | Alcorn State (SWAC) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA |
| 2018 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 24-22 | Alcorn State (SWAC) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA |
| 2017 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 21-14 | Grambling State (SWAC) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA |
| 2016 | Grambling State (SWAC) | 10-9 | North Carolina Central (MEAC) | Georgia Dome, Atlanta GA |
| 2015 | North Carolina A&T (MEAC) | 41-34 | Alcorn State (SWAC) | Georgia Dome, Atlanta GA |
Celebration Bowl set: Florida A&M vs. Howard
The 2023 Celebration Bowl is set as SWAC Champion Florida A&M will battle MEAC Champion Howard on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at 12 p.m. ET in Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
Click or tap here for live updates before, during and after the game.
🏆 Florida A&M crowned SWAC Champions
WHO RUNS THE SWAC? THEM RATTLUHS!
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
The Rattlers are the 2023 SWAC Champions! | |
Florida A&M 35, Prarie View A&M 14
The Rattlers downed Prairie View A&M 35-14 in the 2023 SWAC Championship. It's Florida A&M's first SWAC title.
Lightning delays could not stop the action from both Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M. By halftime, the Rattlers held on to a 21-7 lead. After the Rattlers failed to convert on a fourth down, the Panthers found an opening and crossed the goal line for a 35-yard rushing TD. The Rattlers responded with a touchdown of their own and another in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. Winning their first-ever SWAC Championship allows the Rattlers to claim the second spot in the Celebration Bowl against Howard.
All-HBCU: The top HBCU football players, by position, from the 2023 season
The 2023 HBCU football season is almost finished, but talented players shined throughout the FCS season. A select group of players stood out among their peers, thanks to on-field performances. We made a list of the top players, by position, from the 2023 HBCU football season.
Here's a breakdown of what schools had the most players on this All-HBCU team.
Top players breakdown
| NUMBER OF PLAYERS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|
| 7 | North Carolina Central |
| 4 | Howard |
| 2 | Alabama State, Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Florida A&M, Morgan State, Southern, Texas Southern |
| 1 | Bethune-Cookman, Grambling State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, Tennessee State |
Click or tap here to see the complete All-HBCU team, position by position
HBCU football finalists for national awards
X HBCU football players and coaches were named finalists for FCS national awards. See the finalists below:
Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year)
- Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M, QB
- Davius Richard, North Carolina Central, QB
- LaDarius Owens, Texas Southern, RB
Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year)
- Terrell Allen, Tennessee State, DL
- Colton Adams, Alabama State, LB
- Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB
- Isaiah Major, Florida A&M, LB
- Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, S
Jerry Rice Award (FCS Rookie of the Year)
- Jawarn Howell, South Carolina State, RB
- Ty’Jarian Williams, Mississippi Valley State, QB
- Trei Oliver, North Carolina Central
- Larry Scott, Howard
- Willie Simmons, Florida A&M
HBCU conference players of the year, all-conference teams
The MEAC, SWAC, CAA and Big South-OVC have announced their 2023 all-conference teams and conference players of the year. Here are the HBCU players that earned accolades:
Players of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jeremy Moussa | Florida A&M
- Defensive Player of the Year: LB Isaiah Major | Florida A&M
- Newcomer of the Year: QB Jace Wilson | Texas Southern
- Freshman of the Year: WR Javon Robinson | Grambling State
- Coach of the Year: Willie Simmons | Florida A&M
- Offensive Player of the Year: QB Davius Richard | North Carolina Central
- Defensive Player of the Year: S Kenny Gallop Jr. | Howard
- Offensive Lineman of the Year: OL Torricelli Simpkins III | North Carolina Central
- Rookie of the Year: RB Jawarn Howell | South Carolina State
- Coach of the Year: Trei Oliver | North Carolina Central
The MEAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year recipients will be announced during the National Football Hall of Fame as a part of the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
- Defensive Player of the Year: DL Terrell Allen | Tennessee State
- Defensive Freshman of the Year: DL Eriq George | Tennessee State
All-conference teams
Click any of the links below for all-conference lists
HBCU football head coach openings
The following FCS HBCU football coaches have been fired after the 2023 season:
- Hue Jackson | Grambling State
- Eric Dooley | Southern
- Clarence McKinney | Texas Southern
🗓 HBCU football Postseason/Week 13: Scores, Results, Game times, TV channels
HBCU football in the FCS continues with an FCS playoff game and the two regular season classics. Click or tap here for a live scoreboard.
Full Postseason/Week 13 HBCU football schedule
All times Eastern. All rankings via FCS Coaches Poll. Click any of the games below for stats.
Thursday, Nov. 16
Saturday, Nov. 25
🦅 North Carolina Central makes the FCS playoffs
North Carolina Central earned an at-large spot to the 2023 FCS playoffs. The Eagles will head to Richmond to play a first-round game on November 25 at 2 p.m. ET. Click or tap here for more playoff information
🏆 Prairie View A&M wins SWAC West
Prairie View A&M clinched the SWAC West title with a 21-14 win over Alabama State. The Panthers will advance to play Florida A&M in the 2023 SWAC Championship on Dec. 2, 2023.
PVAMUFB: A final score with the Panthers taking the win over the Alabama State Hornets, being named the Western Division Champions. The team will be back in action December 2nd for the 2023 SWAC Football Championship against Florida A&M.
— PVAMU Panthers (@PVAMUPanthers)
🏆 Howard clinches MEAC title
With a 14-7 victory over Morgan State, Howard claims the MEAC title and its first Celebration Bowl berth. See the final stats here.
🗓 HBCU football Week 12: Scores, Results, Game times, TV channels
The final full weekend of HBCU football in the FCS is here in Week 12. Click or tap here for a live scoreboard.
Full Week 12 HBCU football schedule
All rankings via FCS Coaches Poll. Click any of the games below for stats.
Teams with byes: Southern, Grambling State
Thursday, Nov. 16
Saturday, Nov. 18
- Howard 14, Morgan State 7
- Elon 51, Hampton 14
- Campbell 28, North Carolina A&T 14
- South Carolina State 44, Norfolk State 17
- North Carolina Central 55, Delaware State 14
- Prairie View A&M 21, Alabama State 14
- Alcorn State 28, Jackson State 24
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff 35, Texas Southern 34
- Tennessee Tech 35, Tennessee State 0
- Florida A&M 24, Bethune-Cookman 7
Week 12 HBCU football Game of the Week
Here is Week 12's HBCU football Game of the Week from Ƶ Digital's Stan Becton.
HBCU game of the week: Morgan State at Howard
The MEAC title is on the line. If Howard wins it wins the MEAC, but Morgan State is making the trip down I-95 with its eyes set at a title run of its own. All of the eyes of Durham, North Carolina and FCS at-large hopefuls will be in Washington, D.C. to see the outcome of this game.
SWAC West Division scenarios
Here's how the SWAC West divisional title can be clinched in Week 12:
- Prairie View A&M wins the divisional title IF:
- Prairie View A&M def. Alabama State
- Alcorn State wins the divisional title IF:
- Alabama State def. Prairie View A&M AND Alcorn State def. Jackson State
If neither scenario happens, the SWAC West title won't be decided before the Bayou Classic.
MEAC title scenarios
The MEAC title and a Celebration Bowl berth is up for grabs. Here's the conference title scenario entering the final week.
- Howard
- In with win over Morgan State
- North Carolina Central
- In with win over Delaware State and Howard loss
- Morgan State
- In with win over Howard and NC Central loss