The Celebration Bowl thus serves as a de facto black college football national championship.
[4] South Carolina State had suffered two losses in their first three regular-season games, falling to Florida A&M and Georgia Southern.
South Carolina State subsequently defeated Norfolk in their final regular-season game, and entered the Celebration Bowl with an overall record of 9–2 (5–0 in conference).
Jackson State defeated Southern in the SWAC Football Championship Game to secure a berth in the Celebration Bowl.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Jackson State extended its lead to 21–0, after which the teams traded touchdowns, for a 28–7 final score.