By Kevin Waters

Over 49,000 fans saw North Carolina Central beat Jackson State 41-34 in Atlanta. With the overtime win NCCU captured the schools second Hbcu Championship and second Celebration Bowl win. The MEAC vs SWAC match up ended with The MEAC winning their 5 straight Celebration Bowl over the SWAC.

Jackson State came into the game a 16 point favorite, undefeated, and trying to secure a final win for Head Coach Deion Sanders. NCCU and Head Coach Trei Oliver came into the game 9-2 with very a impressive non-conference slate. NCCU and Jackson State came into the game ranked in the FCS top 25.

NCCU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on the games first possession. On NCCs next possession a 4 yard touchdown run by QB Davius Richard gave NCCU a 10-0 lead. Jackson State struck back with a 24 yard TD pass from Shadeur Sanders to DJ Stevens to cut the score to 10-7.
The 2nd quarter saw Jackson State take a 14-10 lead after a 86 yard touchdown pass from Shadeur Sanders to Kevin Colemen. NCCU regained the lead 17-14 after an 11 play 75 yard drive capped with a 10 yard TD run by J'Mari Taylor. The back and forth continued as Sanders would get a 7 yard TD run for JSU to take a 21-17 lead into halftime.

The 3rd quarter saw NCCU blank JSU 9-0 to take a 26-21 lead into the 4th quarter.. The 4th quarter saw two TD passes from Shadeur Sanders to Travis Hunter ,and 7 yard TD run by NCCUS Latrell Collier to tie the score 34-34 at the end of regulation. The overtime period ended with 1 yard TD run by NCCU quarterback Davius Richard. NCCU held JSU scoreless on their one OT possession and pulled out a 41-34 win.