PHOTOS: Florida A&M Defeats Howard, Wins First Celebration Bowl In School History

Photos from Florida A&M's victory over Howard in the 2023 Celebration Bowl on Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia

Zachary McKinnell | Dec 16, 2023

PHOTOS: Florida A&M Defeats Howard, Wins First Celebration Bowl In School History /

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Florida A&M (12-1, 8-0 SWAC) defeated Howard (6-6, 4-1 MEAC), 30-26, to win the 2023 Celebration Bowl.

Running back Kelvin Dean was named the Offensive MVP after leading the Rattlers with 87 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa struggled early, but had three passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Moussa found Jah'Marae Sheread for the 38-yard game-winning touchdown with less than six minutes remaining.

Linebacker Isaiah Major earned Defensive MVP honors after totaling six tackles and one interception. He sealed the win with his interception with under two minutes remaining on Howard's final offensive drive.

Below are photos from Florida A&M's win over Howard in the 2023 Celebration Bowl on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons holds up the Celebration Bowl trophy after a victory against the Howard Bison at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers defensive lineman Cherif Seye (6)celebrates with a flag after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers players celebrate after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Kelvin Dean (9) holds up the offensive MVP trophy after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers linebacker Isaiah Major (0) holds up the defensive MVP trophy after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons is doused with a bucket against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) and head coach Willie Simmons celebrate after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons is doused with a bucket against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons celebrates with staff against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers linebacker Isaiah Major (0) reacts after an interception against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Kendall Bohler (3) intercepts a pass against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings (23) runs the ball against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons on the sideline against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison running back Eden James (5) is tackled by Florida A&M Rattlers defensive lineman Dakar Edwards (17) in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Kelvin Dean (9) runs for a touchdown against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison head coach Larry Scott on the sideline against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison running back Jarett Hunter (2) runs the ball against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Jalen Glaze (13) commits a late hit on Howard Bison running back Ian Wheeler (27) on a kickoff in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison wide receiver Nah'shawn Hezekiah (10) runs after a catch against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Kelvin Dean (9) celebrates after a touchdown against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison defensive back Carson Hinton (6) celebrates after an interception for a touchdown against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Jah'Marae Sheread (10) catches a touchdown pass against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Kelvin Dean (9) celebrates after a touchdown against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne (3) catches a pass against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings (23) runs the ball against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers defensive lineman Makody Robertson (96) pressures Howard Bison quarterback Quinton Williams (1) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings (23) runs the ball against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers players celebrate after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison running back Eden James (5) runs the ball against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison defensive lineman Ian White (14) reacts after an interception against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) reacts after a safety against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Jah'Marae Sheread (10) returns a punt against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers offensive lineman Kardell Thomas (58) talks to Howard Bison defensive lineman Jamel Stewart (96) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers tight end Kamari Young (81) runs after a catch against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) celebrates after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne (3) celebrates with quarterback Quinton Williams (1) and offensive lineman Darius Fox (52) after a touchdown against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers running back Terrell Jennings (23) celebrates after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison running back Eden James (5) stiff arms Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Deco Wilson (11) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison running back Jarett Hunter (2) scores a touchdown against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers offensive lineman Cesar Reyes (77) celebrates with a cigar after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne (3) scores a touchdown past Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Kendall Bohler (3) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Howard Bison running back Jarett Hunter (2) reacts after a touchdown against the Florida A&M Rattlers in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) reacts on the sideline after an interception against the Howard Bison in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Florida A&M Defeats Howard To Win 2023 Celebration Bowl

Published Dec 16, 2023

ZACHARY MCKINNELL

Zach McKinnell is the Founder and Senior Editor of FCS Football Central. He is also a columnist for HERO Sports and a contributor for Athlon Sports. In 2022, he became an official voter in the FCS Stats Perform Top-25. He is a former contributor for Vols Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports Network, and Fly War Eagle on FanSided. Zach graduated from Auburn University in 2018.