by Ben Ennis

ATLANTA, GA. – North Carolina A&T Wins Inaugural Celebration Bowl 41-34.

The first HBCU Celebration Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Reserve, was held at the Georgia Dome. A capacity crowd of 35,528 fans witnessed this historical event as MEAC Champions North Carolina A&T played SWAC Champions Alcorn State for what was considered as the Black College National Championship.

North Carolina A&T squeezed out the victory after a series of big play highlighted the entire game by both teams that consisted of:

> A 74-yard touchdown run on the first punt of the game by Aggies Khris Gardin.

> Not to be denied, Alcorn’s Anthony Williams took there corresponding punt return 84 yards for a touchdown.

> Later, Aggies Tarik Cohen ran for a 74-yard touchdown.

> Next, Cohen recorded another touchdown on an 83-yard run.

> Also, the Braves scored on a fake field goal.

When all the offensive fireworks concluded, A&T out-gained Alcom in total yards 543-260. Braves head coach, Jay Hopson said, “It was a hard-fought football game: those are always touch to Lose.” “Give North Carolina A&T a lot of credit. They played a very good football game.”

As to be expected, Aggies running back Tarik Cohen was named the game’s Offensive MVP after putting on a show that led to 295 rushing yards and three touchdowns. “He was a difference-maker in the football game,” Hopson said. Fellow teammate linebacker Denzel Jones was named defensive MVP.

Photos by Ben Ennis