Grambling State defeated North Carolina Central Saturday in a close game to bring home the W in the second Celebration Bowl. It means the Tigers are again atop the HBCU football world, just a few years after going 1-11.
2016 Celebration Bowl final score: Grambling State wins HBCU national title, 10-9
The Tigers secure their 15th claimed HBCU title.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Here was our running diary of the game, which had a bonkers ending.
Final score: Grambling State 10, North Carolina State 9.
In short, the Celebration Bowl may have been decided by excessive celebration.
Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 9 (2:14 4Q).
An excessive celebration penalty pushed this extra point back, and then Brandon McLaren’s game-tying kick gets blocked.
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Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 9 (2:14 4Q).
How’s this for some offense? Malcolm Bell uncorks this pass for a 39-yard TD, and it looked like we were going to have a tie game.
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Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 3 (5:41 4Q).
But Malcolm Bell giveth a short time later, and the Tigers taketh away. The Grambling State interception popped the momentum balloon.
Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 3 (6:45 4Q).
Ok, now we have some Central offense with hit big completion from Malcolm Bell to LaVontis Smith. The Eagles are trying to put something together to make this a tie game.
Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 3 (9:49 4Q).
The Tigers gambled and went for it on fourth down to try and extend their lead. Grambling benefited from a big punt return to put them in business. But the Eagles weren’t having any of it with a big fourth down stop on the doorstep of the end zone.
Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 3 (4Q).
It was negated because of a penalty, but this could easily go down as the catch of the year.
Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 3 (1:09, 3Q).
The Eagles are desperately trying to get something going on offense, but come away stifled on fourth down by a Grambling defense which has been imposing its will all afternoon.
Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 3 (2:50, 3Q).
The Tigers at least get something out of it with a 26-yard field goal by Jonathan Wallace.
Grambling State 7, North Carolina Central 3 (5:01, 3Q).
Game’s definitely looking for someone to grab a hold of it, and Grambling gets a chance to do so if they can take advantage of a strip-sack-fumble by DL Arkez Cooper.
Grambling State 7, North Carolina Central 3 (9:14, 3Q).
The game’s first touchdown comes from the Tigers’ Martez Carter. It’s his 17th of the season.
Halftime.
And you know what that means.
North Carolina Central 3, Grambling State 0 (4:00, 2Q).
This game continues to be a defensive struggle. The Eagles defense stands tall here on a fourth down stop, and a day of futility continues for the Tigers esspecially. Grambling State boasts a talented defense.
North Carolina Central 3, Grambling State 0 (13:41, 2Q).
Looked like another pick didn’t it? A Central fan didn’t think so, and after a review he turned out to be right.
North Carolina Central 3, Grambling State 0 (:54, 1Q).
North Carolina Central 3, Grambling State 0 (3:29, 1Q).
The Eagles make the Tigers pay by blocking an ensuing field goal and keeping their lead.
North Carolina Central 3, Grambling State 0 (3:35, 1Q).
This looks like an incredible grab by Grambling’s Chad Williams. After booth review, however, the touchdown was negated. Not bad, though.
North Carolina Central 3, Grambling State 0 (6:05, 1Q).
After WR Quentin Atkinson dropped a pass on third down in the end zone, the Eagles were forced to kick a field goal. Brandon McLaren’s 23-yard field goal is true, and North Carolina Central takes an early lead.
North Carolina Central 0, Grambling State 0 (9:57, 1Q).
The Eagles go for it on fourth down inside their own 40-yard line and convert after RB Dorrel McClain powers across the line to gain.
North Carolina Central 0, Grambling State 0 (12:32, 1Q).
A big interception on Grambling’s first drive. It was a tip drill play on a moonshot by Grambling QB Devonte Kincade, and it gets picked off by Alden McClellon in the end zone. The Eagles will take over at their own 20-yard line.
12:17 p.m. ET
We have kickoff.
Here’s a stream with constant updates all game long.
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