2018 Celebration Bowl - NC A&T vs. Alcorn State

[bonarae]

After an intense HBCU football season, we are now down to two...

[ASU33]

I like the Braves in this one!

[GAD]

Should be another great game, I expect a defensive struggle

[ASU33]

Should be another great game, I expect a defensive struggle

Points will definitely be hard to come by!

[KPSUL]

Points will definitely be hard to come by!

What day, time and channel?

[NDSUtk]

Going with NC A&T in the annual NC A&T invite

[ASU33]

What day, time and channel?


Saturday December 15th on ABC at 11:00 CST.

[KPSUL]

Saturday December 15th on ABC at 11:00 CST.
Thanks, looking forward to watching it!

[ASU33]

I wonder id the NDSU Banner will make another appearance this year? Its been at the last 2 Celebration Bowls.

[WestCoastAggie]

I wonder id the NDSU Banner will make another appearance this year? Its been at the last 2 Celebration Bowls.

The irony.

[ASU33]

The irony.

I talked to the guys that brought it during the Grambling/NCCU Celebration Bowl back in 2016. Their NDSU grads that live up in Chattanooga now.

[AggieManiac704]

i dig the fcs love.....if its love

[ASU33]

As of this morning A&T has sold out of their allotment. Great job Aggies!xbowx

[GAD]

As of this morning A&T has sold out of their allotment. Great job Aggies!xbowx
Way to go Aggies!

[ASU33]

Way to go Aggies!

Alcorn will certainly travel well too! Much better than we've seen from Grambling the last 2 years.

[tierre]

This will be a good game. Both teams are hard to run on. Alcorn will be looking for revenge.

[GAD]

Alcorn will certainly travel well too! Much better than we've seen from Grambling the last 2 years.

I think you are right they where out in force for the SWAC champ game. CHEROKEE will be blasting

[ASU33]

I think you are right they where out in force for the SWAC champ game. CHEROKEE will be blasting

Cherokee and that Who Want That Smoke chant!

[tierre]

The tickets are way higher for the Celebration Bowl than the SWAC Championship Game was in Houston.

SCG Celebration Bowl
50 Yard Line $55 $155
40 Yard Line $45 $85
30 Yard Line $35 $85
0-20 Yard Line $25 $50
Endzone $15 $25
Behind Band $15

[ASU33]

The tickets are way higher for the Celebration Bowl than the SWAC Championship Game was in Houston.

SCG Celebration Bowl
50 Yard Line $55 $155
40 Yard Line $45 $85
30 Yard Line $35 $85
0-20 Yard Line $25 $50
Endzone $15 $25
Behind Band $15

Yeah the SWAC Championship Game tickets in Houston ranged from $65 to $35 bucks. Last year prices dropped the week of the game due to low sales by Grambling. A&T sold out of their allotment AND some. Last year's attendance was 25,873 and every bit of 22,000 of that were A&T fans. This year you have a fan base from the SWAC who travels VERY well unlike Grambling the past 2 years.

[WestCoastAggie]

The tickets are way higher for the Celebration Bowl than the SWAC Championship Game was in Houston.

SCG Celebration Bowl
50 Yard Line $55 $155
40 Yard Line $45 $85
30 Yard Line $35 $85
0-20 Yard Line $25 $50
Endzone $15 $25
Behind Band $15

And yet, prices for the CB this year are cheaper than they were in 2017 when they didn't have a sponsor for the game.

[WestCoastAggie]

This will be a good game. Both teams are hard to run on. Alcorn will be looking for revenge.

Oh great, another defensive struggle for a game. First team to 21 wins. xrotatehx

[ASU33]

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/celebration-bowl-north-carolina-alcorn-state-meet-atlanta/7QdN9KrC1colqeu3Ni7CIJ/

I see the billboards are up off of 285 and up 75 by Sun Trust now.

[IBleedYellow]

I'm sad this year's version of NCA&T is at the Celebration Bowl and not in the playoffs.

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[Professor]

I'm sad this year's version of NCA&T is at the Celebration Bowl and not in the playoffs.

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No need to be.

I think the FCS will get their act together and figure out a way to make the playoffs make financial sense to both them and the schools and get more exposure for those playing

[DEX]

I'm sad this year's version of NCA&T is at the Celebration Bowl and not in the playoffs.

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Nothing against the CB but I must agree.

[ASU33]

Has the weather impacted A&Ts preparation for the game this weekend?

[WestCoastAggie]

Has the weather impacted A&Ts preparation for the game this weekend?

Not really. It snowed in Greensboro last year the week of the game also. They have plans in place to practice today. As of now, they’ll be leaving for Atlanta this Wednesday.

[ASU33]

Not really. It snowed in Greensboro last year the week of the game also. They have plans in place to practice today. As of now, they’ll be leaving for Atlanta this Wednesday.

Gotcha

[ASU33]

The teams arrived this morning. Lots of events planned for these guys over the next few days.

[WestCoastAggie]

Alcorn should be the best team A&T played since Jacksonville State.

[Professor]

The tickets are way higher for the Celebration Bowl than the SWAC Championship Game was in Houston.

SCG Celebration Bowl
50 Yard Line $55 $155
40 Yard Line $45 $85
30 Yard Line $35 $85
0-20 Yard Line $25 $50
Endzone $15 $25
Behind Band $15

It seems like they have been moving.

[JSUSoutherner]

Alcorn should be the best team A&T played since Jacksonville State.

Better hope they rack up a bunch of penalties and turnovers then. :D

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Starting at 11 am on ABC.

Nice national coverage....xthumbsupx

[Nor Eastern]

NC A&T score on opening drive.

7-0
12:38 in 1st

[GAD]

CHEROKEE!

[Schism55]

Kudos to Mark Jones for stating what this game is....and not letting that clown shoes Jay Walker spout his nonsense.

[Big Dawg]

Alcorn should be the best team A&T played since Jacksonville State.

FAMU 22 NCA&T 21
FINAL

And watching this game, I feel like it’d be close one again...we hit a rough patch in November, but come on bruh lol

Raynard is missing on waaaaaaaay too many passes

[Scooter]

Jesus..NCA&T befensive backs are really jumping routes.

This game is over. I'm calling it in the 2nd.

NCA&T is a top 15 FCS program. Congrats.

[Big Dawg]

Jesus..NCA&T befensive backs are really jumping routes.

Their defense is their strength

[Big Dawg]

This game just flipped a switch!!! Very entertaining 3rd quarter

A&T 24 Alcron 16
38 seconds left in the 3rd

[GAD]

24-22 A&T

[kdinva]

This game is over. I'm calling it in the 2nd.



ahem......

[kdinva]

Kudos to Mark Jones for stating what this game is.....

a game between two leagues who won't send their champ to the FCS National playoffs....

[GAD]

FINAL CONGRATS A&T

[Nor Eastern]

This was a fun game to watch. Good job NC A&T

[kdinva]

FINAL CONGRATS A&T

good job of staving off a Braves rally.......

[Big Dawg]

The Celebration Bowl has been very entertaining over the past few years. The MEAC and SWAC took a gamble, but it looks like it’s actually paying off.

The crowd was into it, the football teams played at a high level, and it was entertaining. That was a good look for HBCU AND FCS football.

[GAD]

The Celebration Bowl has been very entertaining over the past few years. The MEAC and SWAC took a gamble, but it looks like it’s actually paying off.

The crowd was into it, the football teams played at a high level, and it was entertaining. That was a good look for HBCU AND FCS football.
BRING ME MY $$$MONEY!$$$

[Nor Eastern]

I think both conferences have hit a home run with this game. With the quality these games have been I imagine the ratings and crowds keep getting better.

[Professor Chaos]

Celebration Bowl outdraws 4 of the 5 FBS bowl games played so far:

https://twitter.com/CelebrationBowl/status/810935748518092800

Nice work HBCU fans! xthumbsupx

[Twentysix]

Is this game on TV later?

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[Panther88]

Celebration Bowl outdraws 4 of the 5 FBS bowl games played so far:

https://twitter.com/CelebrationBowl/status/810935748518092800

Nice work HBCU fans! xthumbsupx

Official attendance was 31,672.

Not bad for 2 FCS conference schools going toe to toe w/ fbs’ers w/ respect to attendance.

[Scooter]

ahem......

So...I was right about NCA&T winning...
xnodx


Probably wrong about being a top 15...

18-20ish.

[WestCoastAggie]

So...I was right about NCA&T winning...
xnodx


Probably wrong about being a top 15...

18-20ish.

Folks will have even more questions about us now going into the spring. At least we landed a 3-star qb transfer. We get another FBS lineman or two this winter, a top-15 - top-20 ranking will be warranted in 2019.

[DEX]

Folks will have even more questions about us now going into the spring. At least we landed a 3-star qb transfer. We get another FBS lineman or two this winter, a top-15 - top-20 ranking will be warranted in 2019.

No way we will start next season ranked when we are losing 15 starters.

[Scooter]

Gotta agree. Getting 31000 + fans for the Celbration bowl is fantastic. Good job.

[Professor]

No way we will start next season ranked when we are losing 15 starters.

We will, Ranking will come from this years team. Plus we have Elon on 8/31. That win will push us up

[Big Dawg]

No way we will start next season ranked when we are losing 15 starters.

15 starters, huh?

[3rd Coast Tiger]

Congrats Aggies!

[ASU33]

S/O to everyone who made the trip. I saw HBCUs from everywhere represented in the crowd. Also S/O to fans of other FCS schools that made the trip. I saw Mercer, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, and gear from a few other non-HBCU FCS schools.

[Professor]

I saw a lot of HBCU represented as well

Bama State
AAMU
NCCU
FAMU
BCC
Tuskegee
Miles
NSU
SCSU
Southern

[ASU33]

I saw a lot of HBCU represented as well

Bama State
AAMU
NCCU
FAMU
BCC
Tuskegee
Miles
NSU
SCSU
Southern

I had a nice conversation with some guys from Kennesaw State who brought their families along. They were blown away at the pageantry and the amount of fans that were there. They talked about what the teams in the Big South could do to get fan engagement like on Saturday.

[ASU33]

On another not the NDSU flag didn't make it this year or at least I didn't see it.

[Derby City Duke]

Congratulations A&T -- nice win.

[ASU33]

The reps from the bowl were on local sports radio here in Atlanta and everything is going as well as they could've drawn it out. The attendance was almost 32k and the tv ratings are up from a year ago! There were over 35,000 tickets sold which was impressive. The Bowl officials state that many alums who cant make the game buy tickets as a way to support the game and their schools.

[Panther88]

I saw a lot of HBCU represented as well

Bama State
AAMU
NCCU
FAMU
BCC
Tuskegee
Miles
NSU
SCSU
Southern

Prairie View A&M University. Don't forget the SWAC commissioner is a PV grad. xthumbsupx We rep'd in the background.

[ASU33]

The game pulled a 1.61 Television rating according to Show Buzz Daily

[3rd Coast Tiger]

I saw a lot of HBCU represented as well

Bama State
AAMU
NCCU
FAMU
BCC
Tuskegee
Miles
NSU
SCSU
Southern

I personally know of eleven Texas Southern alums from my crew here in Houston joined some of our Atlanta area alums this past weekend for the game.

[Panther88]

Glad to see all representing. The impetus, for a few of us who cannot attend, is simply to purchase the ticket. I've purchased annually since its inception. I traveled to Rochester, MN on business the week prior so I was unable to schedule to be in the ATL and support physically, unlike last year.

[SUjagTILLiDIE]

Yea I saw your people in ATL after the game. I asked them about you.

- - - Updated - - -

Yea I saw your people in ATL after the game. I asked them about you.

[Sonic98]

Official attendance was 31,672.

Not bad for 2 FCS conference schools going toe to toe w/ fbs’ers w/ respect to attendance.

Yeah I think FBS fans don't care about Bowls until the big boys or thier teams play. Also, ATL is a good HBCU game city and the last chance for us to see one more game. Those other cities wouldn't be my first choice to attend a football game in

[Sonic98]

Celebration Bowl outdraws 4 of the 5 FBS bowl games played so far:

https://twitter.com/CelebrationBowl/status/810935748518092800

Nice work HBCU fans! xthumbsupx

Actually meant to reply to this one

[dgtw]

Congrats on a successful game.


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[Anthony215]

31k is pretty decent pretty much what the top G5 teams average and some of the bottom feeders in the P5 average at home. Alcorn State isn't a big HBCU name like Grambling and Southern are for the SWAC but if they keep up this success and run they'll generate more of a national fan base and if they are the SWAC representative in the future more casual fans will be in attendance. Still think they should make it a weekend event with the CIAA champ and SWAC champ playing the same weekend maybe Friday evening at the same venue.

[ASU33]

31k is pretty decent pretty much what the top G5 teams average and some of the bottom feeders in the P5 average at home. Alcorn State isn't a big HBCU name like Grambling and Southern are for the SWAC but if they keep up this success and run they'll generate more of a national fan base and if they are the SWAC representative in the future more casual fans will be in attendance. Still think they should make it a weekend event with the CIAA champ and SWAC champ playing the same weekend maybe Friday evening at the same venue.

If something isn't broken do not fix it until it is!

[Model Citizen]

I have read comments by some Ivy League fans that there should be an Ivy v. (top ranked team in) HBU bowl, instead of the Celebration Bowl. Your thoughts?

[Professor]

I have read comments by some Ivy League fans that there should be an Ivy v. (top ranked team in) HBU bowl, instead of the Celebration Bowl. Your thoughts?

Would have to be the highest ranked HBCU team not in Celebration Bowl vs an Ivy league school. But where and when ?

[Model Citizen]

Would have to be the highest ranked HBCU team not in Celebration Bowl vs an Ivy league school.


No, no, no. They want the top ranked SWAC/MEAC team. This would replace the Celebration Bowl, not supplement it. Where and when is a less important detail.

Willing to sacrifice the Celebration Bowl for this?

[Professor]

No, no, no. They want the top ranked SWAC/MEAC team. This would replace the Celebration Bowl, not supplement it. Where and when is a less important detail.

Willing to sacrifice the Celebration Bowl for this?

Heck no. Why not the Ivy league create it's own bowl. Or if they wanna play the top MEAC or SWAC team, schedule them during the regular season.

[Herder]

The Celebration Bowl is going strong and looks heathly. But I think the worm is turning on some of these FBS bowls with crappy attendance and support. How much longer are sponsors going to put up big dollars when there are few folks in the stands.

Poorly attended
Playing is not a priority for the players
Teams are not motivated
Only the die hards are watching

Way too many FBS bowl games

[Nor Eastern]

ESPN are still buying/creating new bowl games though. They're making money I guess.

2020 is the launch of the Myrtle Beach Bowl owned by ESPN Events.

ESPN owns a lot of bowls (Celebration Bowl included)


ESPN Event bowl games:



Armed Forces Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_Bowl)
Birmingham Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Bowl)
Bahamas Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamas_Bowl)
Boca Raton Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boca_Raton_Bowl)
Camellia Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_Bowl_(Montgomery,_Alabama))
Celebration Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration_Bowl)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Idaho_Potato_Bowl)
First Responder Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Responder_Bowl)
Frisco Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco_Bowl)
Gasparilla Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasparilla_Bowl)
Hawaii Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_Bowl)
Las Vegas Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Bowl)
Myrtle Beach Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtle_Beach_Bowl) (2020)
New Mexico Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Bowl)
Texas Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Bowl)

[Model Citizen]

If the Ivy is comcerned about the season dragging on indefinitely, they should look at a bowl with the other n/s league. The Pioneer has an auto playoff bid, but would probably give that up in a heartbeat if the Ivy put together an alternative.

There, I said it. The PFL should withdraw from the playoffs. Don't cry...

[unknown3]

I dont think some understand that ESPN and sponsors make their money on views.. not attendance. As long as people are watching on tv they don't care.

[DFW HOYA]

A closer look at the ESPN bowl games shows they are more about filling broadcast time than serving the greater glory of college football. Grades per bowl:



Armed Forces Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_Bowl): Drew 44,738 in a 47,000 seat on-campus stadium. Good job. B.
Birmingham Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Bowl): 25,717 in aging Legion Field. D.
Bahamas Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamas_Bowl): 13,510. Not much to remember. D.
Boca Raton Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boca_Raton_Bowl): 22,614 See above. D.
Camellia Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_Bowl_(Montgomery,_Alabama)): 17,710 at the Cramton Bowl screams "third tier". D-
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Idaho_Potato_Bowl): 18,711, but it's Boise in December. C-
First Responder Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Responder_Bowl): F. Enough said.
Frisco Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco_Bowl): Announced attendance of 11,029, more like 3,000. D-
Gasparilla Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasparilla_Bowl): 14,135 in a dome. D-
Hawaii Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_Bowl): This one used to be much bigger. C-
Las Vegas Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Bowl): Good attendance (37,146), wonder if it will move to the new Raiders Stadium. C
New Mexico Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Bowl): 25k in Albuquerque isn't bad. C.
Texas Bowl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Bowl): 51,104. One of the better second tier bowls. B.

[Professor]

I dont think some understand that ESPN and sponsors make their money on views.. not attendance. As long as people are watching on tv they don't care.

I'm very surprised it's no game 1/2 -1/4.

[ASU33]

No, no, no. They want the top ranked SWAC/MEAC team. This would replace the Celebration Bowl, not supplement it. Where and when is a less important detail.

Willing to sacrifice the Celebration Bowl for this?

Nope!

[Nor Eastern]

The Gridiron Classic was a "bowl" between the NEC and Pioneer leagues before they got their automatic invites. The Ivy could pursue something like this, but I don't see them doing so without another similar conference joining them. Not sure the Patriot, Pioneer, or NEC would want to give up their playoff spot for something.

[Professor]

The game pulled a 1.61 Television rating according to Show Buzz Daily


Celebration bowl beats FCS title game yet again

The web site showbuzzdaily.com listed full week sports ratings for Dec. 31, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019. The Bison-Eastern Washington game drew a 0.64 percent rating, meaning that less than 1 percent of all TVs in the U.S. were tuned to the game. Among the key demographic of Adults 18-49, an estimated 278,000 people watched.

https://www.inforum.com/sports/football/948325-McFeely-TV-ratings-drop-for-Bison-title-game

[Professor Chaos]

Celebration bowl beats FCS title game yet again

The web site showbuzzdaily.com listed full week sports ratings for Dec. 31, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019. The Bison-Eastern Washington game drew a 0.64 percent rating, meaning that less than 1 percent of all TVs in the U.S. were tuned to the game. Among the key demographic of Adults 18-49, an estimated 278,000 people watched.

https://www.inforum.com/sports/football/948325-McFeely-TV-ratings-drop-for-Bison-title-game
Feel free to beat your chest all you want but the difference is in the TV spot. ABC vs ESPN2. If you think "America cares" any more about the Celebration Bowl than it does about the FCS title game you're dreaming. The NDSU/Colgate quarterfinal drew nearly double the ratings that the FCS title game did. Does that mean America cares more about an FCS quarterfinal game than it does about the FCS title game???

[Gil Dobie]

Celebration bowl beats FCS title game yet again

The web site showbuzzdaily.com listed full week sports ratings for Dec. 31, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019. The Bison-Eastern Washington game drew a 0.64 percent rating, meaning that less than 1 percent of all TVs in the U.S. were tuned to the game. Among the key demographic of Adults 18-49, an estimated 278,000 people watched.

https://www.inforum.com/sports/football/948325-McFeely-TV-ratings-drop-for-Bison-title-game

I don't think it should be CB vs FCS Championship, it should be CB + FCS Championship. Two great games for FCS fans.

[Professor]

I don't think it should be CB vs FCS Championship, it should be CB + FCS Championship. Two great games for FCS fans.

I agree, but many on this page feel as if the Celebration Bowl is inferior to the FCS title game. Just showing the numbers

[Panther88]

Feel free to beat your chest all you want but the difference is in the TV spot. ABC vs ESPN2. If you think "America cares" any more about the Celebration Bowl than it does about the FCS title game you're dreaming. The NDSU/Colgate quarterfinal drew nearly double the ratings that the FCS title game did. Does that mean America cares more about an FCS quarterfinal game than it does about the FCS title game???

Chaos, there's a smidget of alleged FCS supporters who demeaned the CB. A few termed it inferior and unworthy, vs supporting it as 2 FCS conferences attempting to to leverage their brand to their respective fanbases.

[Nor Eastern]

Feel free to beat your chest all you want but the difference is in the TV spot. ABC vs ESPN2. If you think "America cares" any more about the Celebration Bowl than it does about the FCS title game you're dreaming. The NDSU/Colgate quarterfinal drew nearly double the ratings that the FCS title game did. Does that mean America cares more about an FCS quarterfinal game than it does about the FCS title game???

No, it just means that America doesn't care about the FCS in general.

When even the worst bowl game on a week night in the middle of holiday season outdraws the only game on TV on a Saturday you have to wonder WTF ESPN and the NCAA are thinking.

The FCS title game should be on the same weekend as the D2/D3/NIAA/G5 Bowl games are on.

[Nor Eastern]

I'm going to correct myself in a new post to clarify that I mis-mathed.

The FCS title game had a .64 rating which is higher than only the Bahamas Bowl which aired at noon on a Friday 12/21 and was between a mid-level CUSA team (FIU) and a mid-level MAC team (Toledo) which scored a .57 rating.

In raw numbers, the 1,000,400 people, that tuned into the FCS Champ game, was higher than only the Camellia Bowl (986k), New Mexico Bowl (968k), and Bahamas Bowl (838k). The Camellia and NM bowls were both on Saturday, and beat the FCS Semi on that same day between Maine-EWU which had a .28 rating and 448k viewers.

[Professor Chaos]

No, it just means that America doesn't care about the FCS in general.

When even the worst bowl game on a week night in the middle of holiday season outdraws the only game on TV on a Saturday you have to wonder WTF ESPN and the NCAA are thinking.

The FCS title game should be on the same weekend as the D2/D3/NIAA/G5 Bowl games are on.
Agreed, FCS football is an afterthought overall to most but ratings are as much about TV slot as anything. The reason why Colgate/NDSU got that many viewers is because it was on ESPN not ESPN2. Every bowl game out there is on ESPN (with the exception of just a couple that are on New Year's Day I believe). You put the FCS title game on ESPN on that same time slot instead of a random college basketball I bet the ratings double what they were on the deuce. Does it mean the country cares that much more about FCS? Nope, but it does to show how the TV slot/network is more important to the number or eyeballs that are watching than the actual content is.

[ASU33]

I don't think it should be CB vs FCS Championship, it should be CB + FCS Championship. Two great games for FCS fans.

I agree!xnodx