Nunnie on the Sideline

By Nunnie Robinson, WGS Sports Editor

As two-time defending MEAC champion South Carolina State waits to learn its Celebration Bowl opponent, all eyes turn to the 2025 SWAC Championship, where Jackson State and Prairie View A&M will clash on Saturday, Dec. 6. The looming question: Who gains the bigger advantage—the well-rested Bulldogs or the SWAC champion forced to play an extra, high-stakes game?

South Carolina State last took the field on November 22, and with the Celebration Bowl set for Dec. 13, the Bulldogs will have 21 days—three full weeks—off. Whether that extended break provides crucial healing time or disrupts game rhythm remains to be seen.

Prediction: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State in the 2025 Celebration Bowl, with the Bulldogs claiming the Black College National Championship.

Historically, the MEAC holds a 6–3 edge in Celebration Bowl matchups dating back to 2015, when North Carolina A&T defeated Alcorn State 41–34. The Aggies went on to win five Celebration Bowls before exiting the MEAC. Jackson State and South Carolina State have faced off twice in the event, splitting the series—JSU prevailed 28–7 last season, while SCSU won convincingly 31–10 in 2021. The prediction leans toward JSU advancing after defeating Prairie View for the 2025 SWAC title.

In other HBCU news, Southern University not only stunned Grambling in the Bayou Classic but also made national headlines by hiring former NFL superstar Marshall Faulk as its new head football coach—continuing a rising trend of HBCUs tapping iconic professional athletes to lead their programs.

In Division II action, the Albany State Golden Rams secured their third straight win over Benedict, a hard-fought 14–12 victory that propelled them into the third round of the playoffs and set a program record with 12 wins. They now prepare to face Newbury at a site yet to be announced.

Despite a 21–7 loss to Frostburg State, the Johnson C. Smith Bulls capped an extraordinary season by capturing their first CIAA Championship, highlighted by their remarkable upset of Virginia Union. The entire HBCU community salutes the Bulls on this historic achievement.

At Florida A&M, administrative shifts—including the appointment of Trump/DeSantis ally Marva Johnson as president—signal little likelihood of a coaching change, even after the heartbreaking last-second loss to BCU. Still, the success of FAMU alum Quinn Gray at Albany State makes his name an intriguing possibility for the future.

Meanwhile, Hampton University parted ways with head coach Trent Boykin after two seasons. Boykin’s debut year showed potential with a 5–7 finish, but a disappointing 2–10 campaign in 2025 ultimately led to his dismissal. In today’s climate of high expectations—especially in revenue-driven sports—regression often proves costly for coaches and administrators alike.