Celebration Bowl 2025 - Prairie View A&M vs South Carolina State University- Lessons on Bouncing Back from Adversity

South Carolina State University overcomes a 21-point deficit at half-time to win the 2025 Celebration Bowl!

South Carolina State University Wins by 2 points!

At half-time South Carolina State University scored 0 points

I look forward to attending the Cricket Celebration Bowl every year. The bowl is a post-season game between the champions of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), which are two prominent conferences of historical black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The competitive festive family friendly event is a fun time. Even though I did not attend a HBCU, I love supporting and sharing the experience with the community.  On December 13th, Prairie View A&M played against South Carolina State University in the 2025 Celebration Bowl. The game was one of the best games I have ever seen.  Let's discuss....

Go Prairie View!

Full disclosure - I rooted for Prairie View A&M to win only because I know people who graduated from a SWAC member college. I yelled DEFENSE when the South Carolina State University offense had the ball. I clapped when Prairie View A&M scored. Nothing personal against South Carolina State University who is a member of MEAC. Are you ready for some football? Yes!  Only one team can win and I was team SWAC! Honestly, I never heard of Prairie View A&M or South Carolina State University before the Celebration Bowl game. One benefit of the Celebration Bowl is it shines a light on less popular HBCUs.  

Half-time - Prairie View-21 vs South Carolina State University-0

At half-time, I felt like I picked the right team! I was sitting on the SWAC side and having a ball. I was concerned when the kicker missed a 3-point field goal.  But, no worries. I bought two vegan sausage dinners with fries and sweet tea. Living my best life.  Yay! SWAC! The cheers were loud. I felt sorry for the MEAC side. I mean down by 21-points. There's no way they can come back. Right? Some fans thought about leaving early. 

Reverse Play Fumble

Prairie View A&M tried a reverse play in the second half that worked great in the first half. This time one of the players fumbled the ball. South Carolina State University recovered the fumble and scored their first touchdown. Hmmm. Yep, but now it is just 21-7 and Prairie View is up 14 points. So, they will win. Right?

After the Fumble

I could tell that South Carolina State University turned the tide of the game after they scored the first touchdown.  I could tell that Prairie View A&M seemed to have lost some of their spark after the fumble.  

Football is a Metaphor for Life

 The game is a reminder that it is possible to overcome adversity by keeping the faith and 'digging deep' inside for strength. 

Game Takeaways:

• Have a Winning Mindset 

South Carolina State University's coach told them to "dig deep." The players knew they were winners!   Having a winning mindset made them confident. If they had a losing mindset, they would have lost. 

In real life, have a winning mindset. Believe you can overcome adversity. Your focus becomes your reality.  Believe!

• Dig Deep - Courtesy of South Carolina State University. The team focused on this message at every practice. A good daily life mantra as well. 

D - Discipline

I - Integrity

G - G'd

D - Dedication

E - Effort

E - Execution

P - Pride   

• Focus on You!

I am 100% sure South Carolina State University did not focus on the Prairie View A&M team. They did not focus on the 21-point deficit.  They focused on themselves and what they knew they could do. 

Comparing yourself to others is a sure path to depression and unhappiness. Everyone possesses their own unique talents and abilities.  A winning mindset means focusing on your truth and abilities. 

• Be Ready When the Time Comes

Ryan Stubblefield did not play in the first half because he was the back-up quarterback. Chennis Berry, the team's coach, told Ryan to stay ready just in case the team needed him. Well, that time came. Ryan delivered on the field. I felt like I was inside of a dream. Seriously. Ryan had it going on! It was football ballet! He didn't fold under pressure. Magic. 

A friend really desired to be a manager. They applied for several positions but was never selected. They continued to work well on the job. People noticed their hard work and commitment. When the opportunity presented itself, they were promoted for a manager's job. Delayed does not mean denied. Be ready when the time comes. Know your craft. 

• It's Not Over Until it is Over 

There's a chance to win as long as there's time left on the clock. The 2025 Celebration Bowl had four overtime periods. 

 Do you want to go on a trip? Go. Try new things? Try it. Say yes! It's not over until it is over. 

• Don't Celebrate Too Soon!

Football games are fun! We cheer for our teams. But, being ahead in the score does not guarantee a win. Teams can come from behind and win! It's not over until it's over. 

Being behind does not mean you will stay there. Adversity happens but it is not a death sentence. Like Chennis Berry said, "dig deep" when adversity happens. You have the power within to overcome whatever comes your way. 

• Know How to Take a L 

You can't win them all. Learning how to lose is another way to win. Reflect on what went wrong and learn from it. 

Either we win or we learn. The knowledge gained from the experience will prepare you for the next time a similar situation appears. The next time you will be ready if you learned the lesson the first time.  If you didn't learn, then you will keep repeating the same situation until you do. 

• The Harder the Struggle, the Sweeter the Win!

Social media is full of comments about the 2025 Celebration Bowl excitement because it was a close and competitive game. Why was the game so good!? It is because the game was a struggle just like our real lives. Just like South Carolina State University, we can bounce back from a deficit and achieve our goals if we have a strong mindset, a good team and faith. 

Join us at the next Celebration Bowl Game! It is a fun time!