By Thomas Grant Jr.
South Carolina State is the 2025 Black College Football national champion.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 21-0 first half deficit to defeat Prairie View A&M 40-38 in four overtimes last Saturday at the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
A major catalyst for the comeback win was wide receiver Jordan Smith. The Ridge View graduate had nine receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 28 yards and another score.
Smith had a 10-yard touchdown run and 19-yard scoring reception to tie the game at 21-21 in the third quarter. After the Panthers reclaimed the lead at 35-28, the Bulldogs tied the game with 1:54 left on a 10-yard touchdown pass by Ryan Stubblefield to Smith.
“Jordan has always been an amazing kid and great player,” said River Bluff head coach Perry Parks, who coached him at Ridge View. “He was a 1,000-yard receiver for us at Ridge View and we knew S.C. State was getting a steal in Jordan. He always had drive and played with a chip on his shoulder.”
Smith led the Bulldogs with 59 receptions for 900 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first-team honors and will play in the Legacy Bowl next year.
This was the second Celebration Bowl victory in five years and seventh HBCU national title for S.C. State (10-3).
