2025 FINAL BCSP DIV. I FCS TOP FIVE

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (10-3) – The Bulldogs earned their second Celebration Bowl title (after their 2021 title under Buddy Pough) and the black college BCSP FCS national crown with their 40-38, 4-overtime victory over SWAC champion Prairie View A&M Saturday. Second-year head coach Chennis Berry’s Bulldogs ran thru the MEAC unscathed (5-0) for their second straight conference crown and Celebration Bowl berth. Two of their three losses were to FBS opponents, 38-10 to South Carolina and 63-14 to South Florida. Their other loss was a close 31-24 decision on the road at Charleston Southern. Grad senior QB William Atkins IV took over as the starter in mid season and led the Bulldogs to five straight MEAC wins before senior Ryan Stubblefield led the bowl-game win.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (10-4) – In head coach Tremaine Jackson’s first season, the Panthers won the SWAC West with a 7-1 mark and defeated East winner Jackson State 23-21 to earn their first SWAC title since 2009 (under Henry Frazier) and their first-ever Celebration Bowl appearance. They lost Saturday to S. C. State, 40-38 in four overtimes. Their only loss during an 8-1 SWAC campaign was at home to Alabama State, 31-28. Other losses were to UT-Rio Grand Valley (27-21) and Rice (38-17). Resilient QB play from Cameron Peters and a stingy defense spurred the Panthers’ run.

ALABAMA STATE (9-2) – The Hornets under Eddie Robinson Jr. tied Jackson State for the SWAC East title at 7-1 but fell to the Tigers in head-to-head competition, 38-34. Their only other blemish was a hard-fought season-opening loss at UAB 52-42. Junior QB Andrew Body played in only eight games but his over 1,700 passing yards, 70.6 completion percentage, 20 passing TDs with 1 interception, 518 rushing yards and four TDs were enough to earn the SWAC offensive player of the year award.

JACKSON STATE (9-3) – Third-year head coach T. C. Taylor led the Tigers to their second straight SWAC East crown at 7-1 but fell to West champ Prairie View A&M, 23-21 in the conference title game. JSU also lost at home in Las Vegas to Grambling State (26-24) and at Southern Miss (38-20). Grad senior QB Jacobian Morgan was the standout but the Tigers persevered thru his injuries.

DELAWARE STATE (8-4) – In head coach DeSean Jackson’s first season, the former NFL standout led the Hornets to the brink of an MEAC title, falling at home to SC State 28-17 in what was in effect the MEAC title game. It was the only MEAC loss for DSU who also suffered close losses to Delaware (35-17), Sacred Heart (35-31) and Monmouth (49-38). The league’s best rushing attack led by the duo of Marquis Gillis and James Jones accounted for over 2,000 rushing yards