The 2022 Celebration Bowl features the 9-2 NC Central Eagles against the 12-0 Jackson State Tigers. Here is the 2022 Celebration Bowl Preview.
NC Central Eagles (9-2)
The Eagles were able to win the MEAC to qualify for the Celebration Bowl. Their only loss in MEAC play was to South Carolina State. They were able to defeat one team who finished over .500 in New Hampshire.
NC Central scores 38.4 points per game, which ranks sixth in the FCS. They rush for 204.6 yards (ranked 15th) and pass for 237.4 yards per game (ranked 40th).
Davius Richard has been a very solid FCS quarterback for the Eagles. He has 2,473 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 63.1 percent completion. Six players have over 200 receiving yards to help Richard out. E.J. Hicks is the leading receiver with 30 catches for 529 yards and seven touchdowns. Devin Smith has also been impressive with 34 catches for 483 yards and six touchdown receptions.
In the running game, Latrell Collier has led the way with 881 yards and eight touchdowns. The running back behind him on the depth chart is J’mari Taylor who has 377 yards and six touchdowns. NC Central’s second-leading rusher is actually Richard, as he has 691 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
The Eagles allow 20.3 points per game, which is tied for 16th in the FCS. They concede 135.3 rushing yards (ranked 40th) and 190.7 passing yards per game (ranked 21st). Cornerback Khalil Baker has been a ballhawk for NC Central with four interceptions.
Jackson State Tigers (12-0)
Jackson State had a perfect season under Deion Sanders, who is now leaving for the Colorado job, but will coach in this game. They won four games against teams who went at least .500 this season.
The Tigers score 38 points per game, which ranks eighth in the FCS. They rush for 154.8 yards (ranked 56th) and pass for 293.5 yards per game (ranked 10th).
Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, has been leading the Tigers from the quarterback position. He has passed for 3,383 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions on 70.2 percent completion. Six pass-catchers have at least 200 receiving yards for the Tigers. Shane Hooks and Dallas Daniels each have over 600 receiving yards with Hooks having 10 touchdowns and Daniels notching six.
Sy’veon Wilkerson is the lead back for the Tigers. He has rushed for 1,115 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. Behind him is Santee Marshall, who has 359 rushing yards and one touchdown. Sanders has been able to chip in from the quarterback position with 174 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Jackson State has the best scoring defense in the FCS, allowing just 11.25 points per game. They concede 103.8 rushing yards (ranked 6th) and 129.4 passing yards per game (ranked 1st). Linebacker Aubrey Miller has led the team with 103 total tackles. Defensive lineman Justin Ragin has paced the team with 10 sacks. Former number-one recruit in the country Travis Hunter has been a shutdown corner in the secondary and has even helped out on offense this season.
Prediction
Both of these offenses should be able to move the ball, so it might come down to the defense that can make the key plays to win the game. Jackson State’s defense has more talent and should be able to lead the team to victory.
Jackson State Tigers 28 NC Central Eagles 23
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