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North Carolina Central defeated Jackson State 41-34 in overtime in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday. With the victory, the Eagles are crowned HBCU national champions, finishing No. 1 in the final BOXTOROW HBCU Coaches and Media Polls. This is the first HBCU national championship for NCCU since 2006.
“It feels amazing to win the Celebration Bowl and to be the undisputed Black College National Champion!” said North Carolina Central head football coach Trei Oliver. “I’m so happy that our players and staff were able to bring the trophy back to ‘The Nest.’ This is for North Carolina Central University, our alumni and fans, and the city of Durham.”
The vote was unanimous amongst the coaches as the Eagles, champions of the MEAC for the first time since 2016, received all 19 first place votes. Jackson State finished No. 2, Florida A&M finished No. 3, followed by North Carolina A&T at No. 4, and Southern rounded out the top five.
In the media poll, the top three finishers were the same as the coaches poll. SIAC champion Benedict finished No. 4 and Virginia Union finished No. 5. Benedict received two first place votes.
This is the first HBCU national championship for the Eagles as an FCS program and fourth overall.
The HBCU FCS coaches and media polls are administered by BOXTOROW. The coaches poll, in its 13th year is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches and the media poll, in its 15th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
2022 BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Football Coaches Poll
Final
(Records through December 17, 2022)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina Central (19) | 10-2 | 190 | T-2 |
| 2 | Jackson State | 12-1 | 171 | 1 |
| 3 | Florida A&M | 9-2 | 151 | T-2 |
| 4 | North Carolina A&T | 7-4 | 131 | 4 |
| 5 | Southern | 7-5 | 118 | 5 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M | 6-5 | 93 | 7 |
| 7 | Alabama State | 6-5 | 74 | 6 |
| 8 | Howard | 5-6 | 60 | 8 |
| 9 | Texas Southern | 5-6 | 34 | 9 |
| 10 | Alcorn State | 5-6 | 21 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: Delaware State (5-6) 2, Alabama A&M (4-7) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
2022 The HBCU Football Media Poll
Final
(Records through December 17, 2022)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina Central (15) | 10-2 | 168 | 3 |
| 2 | Jackson State | 12-1 | 150 | 1 |
| 3 | Florida A&M | 9-2 | 132 | 2 |
| 4 | Benedict (2) | 11-1 | 121 | 4 |
| 5 | Virginia Union | 9-2 | 85 | 5 |
| 6 | North Carolina A&T | 7-4 | 79 | 6 |
| 7 | Southern | 7-5 | 69 | 7 |
| 8 | Fort Valley State | 8-2 | 47 | 8 |
| 9 | Fayetteville State | 9-3 | 40 | 9 |
| 10 | Tuskegee | 8-3 | 18 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: Prairie View A&M (6-5) 12, Albany State (7-3) 7, Alabama State (6-5) 4, Howard (5-6) 4.
BOXTOROW HBCU National Football Champions (Coaches) Year-by-Year
2022 North Carolina Central
2021 South Carolina State
2021 (Spring) Alabama A&M
2019 North Carolina A&T
2018 North Carolina A&T
2017 North Carolina A&T
2016 Grambling
2015 North Carolina A&T
2014 Alcorn State
2013 Bethune-Cookman
2012 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
2011 Norfolk State
2010 Bethune-Cookman
2009 South Carolina State
BOXTOROW HBCU National Football Champions (Media) Year-by-Year
2022 North Carolina Central
2021 Bowie State
2021 (Spring) Alabama A&M
2019 North Carolina A&T
2018 North Carolina A&T
2017 North Carolina A&T
2016 Grambling
2015 North Carolina A&T
2014 Alcorn State
2013 Bethune-Cookman
2012 Winston-Salem State
2011 Winston-Salem State
2010 Bethune-Cookman
2009 South Carolina State
2008 Grambling
2007 Tuskegee
North Carolina Central Celebration Bowl