ATLANTA, Ga. –  A season defined by milestones, momentum, and unforgettable football reaches its grand stage Saturday, Dec. 13 as Prairie View A&M University makes its first-ever appearance in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, taking on MEAC champion South Carolina State inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a noon eastern time kick.

The Panthers arrive in Atlanta carrying one of the most historic resumes in program history, highlighted by their first 10-win season since 1963 and a championship run that has electrified Prairie View Nation from start to finish.

A Season to Remember
Prairie View A&M's 2025 campaign has been nothing short of historic. With 10 victories entering postseason play, the Panthers matched a program benchmark that stood for more than six decades. Behind a team built on physicality, discipline, and explosive playmaking, PVAMU has reestablished itself as one of the premier forces in HBCU football.  This breakthrough season now culminates on the biggest HBCU stage in college football.

Champions of the SWAC
The Panthers earned their place in Atlanta with an impressive win over Jackson State in the 2025 SWAC Championship Game — a performance that showcased Prairie View's complete team identity.

PVAMU's defense controlled the tempo throughout, applying pressure, disrupting drives, and delivering timely stops in critical moments. Offensively, the Panthers found their rhythm early and sustained it, mixing big-play potential with methodical, clock-controlling drives that kept momentum on their side.
The championship victory secured Prairie View its first trip to the Celebration Bowl and solidified one of the program's strongest postseason runs in modern history.

First Meeting With South Carolina State
Despite the rich traditions of both programs, today marks the first-ever meeting between Prairie View A&M and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs enter the matchup as MEAC champions with a hard-nosed, physical identity and a history of postseason success.
Prairie View A&M counters with a balanced offensive attack, a stingy and opportunistic defense, and a team that has played its best football in the season's biggest moments.
The stage is set for a new chapter in HBCU football history, with both teams vying for the opportunity to close the season as Black College National Champions.

A Moment Decades in the Making
Today's Celebration Bowl appearance is more than a postseason game — it is a culmination of resilience, commitment, and a new era of Panther Football under head coach Tremaine Jackson.

From a 10-win regular season to a dominant championship push, the Panthers have built momentum with each passing week. Now, that momentum carries them into Atlanta with the chance to write one of the greatest final chapters in Prairie View A&M football history.