Alcorn State will face North Carolina A&T in Celebration Bowl

Alcorn State will meet North Carolina A&T in the first-ever Celebration Bowl at 11 a.m. Saturday at Atlanta's Georgia Dome. WLOX-ABC will televise the SWAC-MEAC matchup.

The Braves earned a spot in the newly-created bowl game by winning their second straight SWAC Championship over Grambling two weeks ago. Alcorn is the first team to win consecutive SWAC titles since Grambling from 2000 to 2002.

Alcorn is led by running back Darryan Ragsdale, who ran for 191 yards in the 49-21 victory over Grambling. For the season, he has 1,144 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Defensive back Warren Gatewood had three interceptions in the SWAC title game.

Lenorris Footman has established himself as the Braves' quarterback, but opening day starter Robert Gibbs played in the final minutes against the Tigers. Footman has 961 yards rushing and 11 TDs to go with 962 passing yards and 12 TDs.

Braves coach Jay Hopson hasn't decided on a starter against the Aggies (9-2).

"They are both ready to play," Hopson said at last week's Celebration Bowl press conference. "The good news for us is we have two great quarterbacks."

North Carolina A&T is led by running back Tarik Cohen, who has rushed for 1,248 yards this season. He also has a school-record 3,735 career yards rushing and named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference offensive player of the year two straight seasons.

North Carolina A&T tied Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central for the MEAC title, but the Aggies earned the Celebration Bowl invitation because they had the highest Sagarin rating of the three teams.

Alcorn State won the last meeting 16-13 in 2004.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Alcorn State will face North Carolina A&T in Celebration Bowl ."