North Carolina A&T put its undefeated streak on the line against the defending Celebration Bowl champs Grambling Saturday, and kept it intact, winning a HBCU National Championship in the process in a 21-14 win.
[divider]COMPARE: Lamar Raynard vs. Devante Kincade | Grambling vs. NCAT[divider]
Here's how the game unfolded (highlights via @CelebrationBowl):
[divider]
NC A&T got on the board first as Lamar Raynard hit running back Marquell Cartwright on a dump-off and Cartwright did the rest to put the Aggies up 7-0.
Marquell Cartwright puts in the @NCATAGGIES up 7-0! #CelebrationBowl pic.twitter.com/5CR1VdtY9D
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
Grambling answered before the half to tie it at 7-7 as Devante Kincade hit Jordan Jones on a short TD pass.
Kincade hits a wide open Jordan Jones to tie us up just before the half @GSU_TIGERS -7 @NCATAGGIES – 7#CelebrationBowl pic.twitter.com/OOQfQJwObJ
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
Grambling threatened early in the third quarter, but NC A&T d-back Mac McCain came up with an interception in the endzone to stop the scoring opportunity.
Franklin "Mac" McCain with the down defense, snagging his 6th interception of the season for the @NCATAGGIES #CelebrationBowl pic.twitter.com/Sns9shoxEC
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
That interception turned into 7 points as Cartwright scored his second TD of the day on a 29-yard rush to give the Aggies a 14-7 lead..
Once wasn't enough – Cartwright has reservations for 6 once again! @NCATAGGIES lead 14-7 in the third quarter #CelebrationBowl pic.twitter.com/XDlAR9D5Ln
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
Grambling again tied things up as Kincade hit Martez Carter out of the backfield for a 29-yard score of his own to make it 14-14.
This is why the #GramFam calls him "Mr. Excitement!" Our 2016 MVP Martez Carter ties the game at 14 with this 29 yard catch and run #CelebrationBowl@GSU_TIGERS @Grambling1901 pic.twitter.com/SOs80Zbg51
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
Grambling committed a costly turnover in their own red zone, but the defense held on fourth and goal to keep the Aggies out of the endzone in the fourth quarter.
The @GSU_TIGERS defense comes up HUGE on 4th and Goal!
Still tied up at 14 midway through the 4th quarter #CelebrationBowlpic.twitter.com/A64crQB9Td
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
With time winding down in the game, A&T muscled into the end zone as Raynard kept it himself on a keeper to put the Aggies up 21-14 with 38 seconds left. They got near the goal line on this great fake-spike and fade route:
This stellar grab by Elijah Bell off a fake spike play set up the go ahead TD #CelebrationBowl pic.twitter.com/H9H53SXV3H
— #CelebrationBowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 16, 2017
The score held to the finish and NC A&T took home the victory.
