Legendary NFL player Deion Sanders accepted a head coaching position at a historically black college in 2020. And during its three seasons “Coaches Prime” brought unprecedented attention to HBCU sports.
Sanders donated on Saturday in Atlanta jackson state football Appeal to the sidelines for one final time as coach of the program.
Sanders ready to leave SWAC for FBS-level program after pick get a job in colorado,
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Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders after the end of the second half of the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Photo by Paras Griffin / Getty Images)
The North Carolina Central Eagles defeated the Sanders-led Tigers 41–34 in a thrilling overtime game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Central quarterback Davies Richard helped the Eagles win with a 1-yard score in overtime. Richard ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns on the day. It was then up to the Eagles’ defense that made a goal-line stand to seal the win.
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Sanders’ return was a homecoming of sorts. Atlanta is the city where he made his nfl debut with the Atlanta Falcons. the place where he became the sensation known as “primetime”.
“The only thing we’re here in Atlanta for is one thing, and that’s not to go to Magic City,” Sanders joked Friday, adding, “It’s to win a football game.”
Jackson State entered the contest with a 12–0 record, but Saturday’s loss marked the second straight loss in the Celebration Bowl, which has been dubbed the “HBCU Football National Championship”.
Head coach Deion Sanders and TC Taylor, the next head coach of the Jackson State Tigers, work out against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. ,
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
After the loss, Sanders said, “I think we won, but we didn’t win that game.” He will now focus on leadership Colorado Buffaloes football program.
Sanders was looking got emotional as he addressed his team One last time before the game. His feelings were still high after the game with Sanders saying, “I miss these guys already. I love them.”
The game went to overtime after Tigers quarterback Shedure Sanders threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Travis Hunter after time expired in regulation.
Jackson State’s kicker Alejandro Mata’s extra point tied the game at 34-all. Sanders had an impressive day, scoring four touchdowns in the air and one on the ground.
The MEAC has dominated the SWAC in the Celebration Bowl since its inception in 2015. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams are 6–1 against Southwest Athletic Conference opponents.
Eagles coach Trei Oliver said he hoped the win would bring more respect to his team and that after the pregame spotlight his conference was focused almost entirely on “Coach Prime”.
“He had a chip on his shoulder,” Oliver said of his players. “The disrespect was real from the time we landed here.”
Jackson State Tigers Head Coach Deion Sanders walks the field during pregame warmups prior to the Cricket Celebration Bowl against the North Carolina Central Eagles at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Photo by Paras Griffin / Getty Images)
Latrell Collier’s 7-yard scoring run gave NCCU the lead with 4:31 remaining. The Tigers answered with a 15-play drive that included Sanders’ 10-yard, fourth-down pass to TJ Martin.
Richard passed for 177 yards with one touchdown and ran for 97 yards and two scores. Richard showed his versatility on a three-yard drive for the first touchdown of the game. He had a 21-yard run, a 30-yard catch on a trick play, and a 5-yard scoring run that gave the Eagles a 10–0 lead.
A fake punt early in the second half helped the Eagles regain the lead. Tight end Kyle Morgan took the snap on the fake punt and ran 43 yards to the Jackson State 24. Richard’s 12-yard scoring pass to Quentin McCall gave North Carolina Central a 23–21 lead after Adrian Olivo’s missed extra point.
Late in the third quarter, Olivo’s 21-yard field goal cut the lead to five points.
Sanders completed 30 of 40 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns. The highlight was an 85-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Coleman. The touchdown pass to Hunter at the end of regulation was perhaps the biggest highlight.
Sanders said of Hunter, “When I threw the ball, I just had to get air under it, he was going to do the rest.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is seen at the Celebration Bowl. He was there to see and support his nephew Charlton “Charlie” Goodell, a defensive lineman who plays for Sanders. Charlie is the adopted son of Roger Goodell’s brother.
After the game, Jackson State linebacker Aubrey Miller shared his thoughts on HBCUs.
North Carolina Central begins its 2023 campaign on September 3 against North Carolina A&T. Wide receivers coach TC Taylor has been selected as the next head coach of Jackson State. Jackson State will return to Atlanta in 2023 to kick off their season in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge against South Carolina State.
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For Sanders, his impact at Jackson State highlighted college football outside of FBS programs. But his legacy may ultimately be defined by what happens at HBCUs after he’s gone.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.