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In Photos: South Carolina State overcomes 21-point deficit to win 3rd HBCU National Championship

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10 months ago

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Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA

Ryan Stubblefield connected with Jordan Smith on a decisive two-point conversion in the fourth overtime, lifting South Carolina State to a dramatic 40–38 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday in the 10th Celebration Bowl, the annual clash between the MEAC and SWAC champions.

The marathon finish began with both teams trading field goals in the first overtime. In the second extra period, South Carolina State’s Cornelius Davis picked off a Stubblefield pass on the opening possession. Prairie View had a golden opportunity to win, but Diego Alfaro missed a 31-yard field goal attempt. Neither side managed to score during the two-point attempts in the third overtime, pushing the contest deeper into stressful chaos.

In the fourth overtime, Bulldogs running back Tyler Smith hauled in a short pass from Stubblefield, was hit by Prairie View defensive back Kamren Amao, and stretched the ball just past the pylon for a successful conversion. The ruling immediately sparked debate, as replays from multiple angles appeared just as inconclusive as the live call. The ruling on the field was eventually upheld. Prairie View’s response fell short when quarterback Cameron Peters’ pass attempt on the Panthers’ try came up incomplete.

“Just like anybody on our offense, when the ball comes to you, we make a play, and so Smith has always been a playmaker,” Stubblefield said. “He’s always been ‘him’ since high school. Since I met him last year, we’ve connected. We were activated today. He won on his routes, and I put the ball where he could make a play.”

How did we EXACTLY arrive here?

That controversial conversion was the final chapter in an astonishing comeback by South Carolina State. The Bulldogs trailed 21–0 at halftime and had managed only 80 yards of total offense at the break. Momentum swung rapidly in the third quarter, as South Carolina State poured in 21 points over a span of just over six minutes to even the score. Later, down 35–28 with two minutes left in regulation, Stubblefield found Jordan Smith on a 10-yard touchdown pass on third-and-6 to force overtime.

Stubblefield entered the game late in the second quarter after starter William Atkins IV exited with a shoulder injury. He finished with 234 passing yards and two touchdown throws, both to Jordan Smith. Smith delivered a standout performance, catching nine passes for 152 yards, scoring once on the ground, and securing the game-winning two-point conversion.

South Carolina State head football coach Chennis Berry is doused with ice water after his team defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the 2025 Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

“Last year I stood right by our locker room outside, still in the stadium, and I watched confetti drop on another team, and that fueled me,” South Carolina State Head Coach Chennis Berry said. “And I said, ‘If the good Lord gives me another opportunity, that confetti will not drop on another team – that confetti is going to drop on us.’ … We knew we would be here, but we wanted to walk away this time with a trophy in hand. As I stand here today, we did just that.”

On the opposite sideline, Prairie View quarterback Cameron Peters threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns, while Andre Dennis added 131 receiving yards and a score. Despite the loss, the Panthers showcased one of the most productive offenses in Celebration Bowl history.

With the win, South Carolina State improved to 10–3 and claimed its second Celebration Bowl title in the past five years, marking the program’s third appearance during that span. The victory also extended the MEAC’s edge in the series to 7–3. Prairie View A&M, playing in its first-ever Celebration Bowl after capturing the SWAC title outright, finished 10–3—its best season since 1963.

Under head coach Chennis Berry, whose roster featured 44 new players, South Carolina State etched its name deeper into the record books by winning the MEAC on the road against DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State Hornets and securing its third Celebration Bowl championship.

  • Head Coach Chennis Berry of the South Carolina State Bulldogs raises the trophy after his team defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers 40-38 at the 2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

  • South Carolina State head football coach Chennis Berry is doused with ice water after his team defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the 2025 Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

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Itoro Umontuen serves as the National Sports and Entertainment Editor with Black Press USA. He is also a veteran photographer for 20 years, based in Atlanta for the past 15 years. His photography and videography style is a blend of portraiture and contemporary photojournalism. Previously, Umontuen served as the Managing Editor for The Atlanta Voice. While at the historic publication, Umontuen reported on local, statewide, and national politics. He also photographed thousands of sporting events, including Super Bowls and National Championships. He also engineers podcasts while mentoring emerging journalists. Umontuen is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University.

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Tamra Nicole redefines dress for successDefender Network

Tamra Nicole shares how to master your professional image and redefine what it means to dress for success. Discover her expert insights in this video feature.

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6 hours ago

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October 22, 2026

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Tamra Nicole modeling a professional dress for success outfit during a Houston Defender Network interview segment.

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What’s On Your News Feed? How to Spot Election Misinformation

Social media is fueling a new era of election misinformation. Learn how to spot digital propaganda and protect your vote with expert tips from Onyx Impact.

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6 hours ago

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October 22, 2026

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Houston Defender video thumbnail showing a smartphone displaying a news feed with a magnifying glass to spot misinformation.

Many young Black voters aren’t getting their election news from newspapers or TV. It’s coming from TikTok, Instagram and group chats. The Defender talks with Esosa Osa, founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, about how online propaganda targets Black communities and how to protect yourself before you share.

Osa explains why we’re “fundamentally in an information war,” why spotting AI fakes takes more than checking for extra fingers, and her three-step “receipts check” for anything that hits your feed. With early voting underway in Texas, she also shares why voting early is one of the best defenses against Election Day disinformation.

In this video, you’ll hear about:
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– How fast lies spread now, and why that’s what’s new
– Why the “check the fingers” AI test isn’t enough
– The receipts check: find the source, pause on emotion, ask who benefits
– Why Texans should vote early
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Chapters
0:00 “We’re in an information war”
0:11 Where young voters get their news
0:38 Lies aren’t new
0:58 Spotting AI fakes
1:15 The receipts check
1:43 Why you should vote early
2:06 Getting off “rented land”
2:28 Where to learn more

Before you share, check the receipts. Learn more at propagandaplaybook.org, and check your polling place and early voting hours before you go.

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#Misinformation #Houston #Election2026 #MediaLiteracy #BlackVoters #TexasVotes #OnyxImpact #TheDefender

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Former TV personality Yolanda Green Barnes explains why reinventing your career isn’t starting over—it’s starting from experience.

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6 hours ago

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October 22, 2026

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Yolanda Green Barnes speaking during a Houston Defender interview titled You're Not Starting Over.

Former Houston TV personality Yolanda Green Barnes sits down with The Defender to talk about leaving corporate America, launching her own leadership firm, and why reinvention doesn’t mean starting from scratch.

After 30 years in television and business, Barnes is now the founder of The Ashayé Group, where she coaches executives and organizations and speaks to women across the country. She shares the people who poured into her along the way, why she tells professionals “you’re not starting over, you’re starting from experience,” and why it’s never too late to do something different.

In this video, you’ll hear about:
– The women and mentors who believed in her before she believed in herself
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– How The Ashayé Group helps leaders connect the business to the people
– Why pouring into women is at the heart of her work
– Taking inventory of your value before your next career move

Chapters
0:00 “Those are the inspirations”
0:27 Meet Yolanda Green Barnes
0:32 Just do what you love
1:07 The Ashayé Group
1:40 You’re starting from experience
2:10 It’s never too late

Thinking about your next chapter? Learn more about Yolanda’s work at theashayegroup.com and follow her on Instagram at @yolandagreenbarnes.

Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive interviews, local news, and community coverage.

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Stop chasing profits and start building value. Discover how prioritizing service over self-interest transforms your business relationships and drives growth.

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Text overlay says Serve First next to a B3 logo on a professional background for Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder short video.

Transform your business relationships by prioritizing service over profit. When you intentionally seek to help others first, you build authentic value and lasting connections. Shift your focus and watch the dynamic of your entire business change. #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipMindset #ServantLeadership #Entrepreneurship

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7 hours ago

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October 22, 2026

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Legendary rapper Rakim performing live on stage at City Winery St. Louis for an energetic concert show.

🎤 Throwback Thursday, and class is back in session! Rakim brought the classics, deep cuts and legendary flow to City Winery, reminding St. Louis why his place in hip hop history is secure. Watch the video, then read Kenya Vaughn’s full review.

What’s the one Rakim track you’ll always turn up?

🖊️ Written by Kenya Vaughn
https://www.stlamerican.com/arts-and-entertainment/rakims-hip-hop-masterclass/ 

#ThrowbackThursday #Rakim #HipHop #stlamerican

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True change starts from within. Building a stronger future for North Minneapolis requires local leadership and collective action. It is time to invest in our own land to create better opportunities for every young person in the community. #NorthMinneapolis #CommunityGrowth #LocalEmpowerment #CommunityBuilding

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