Howard University will participate in the eighth annual Cricket Celebration Bowl next month. The Bison defeated Morgan State University 14-7 on Saturday, making them the new Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion for the first time in 30 years.

“Congratulations to the MEAC champion Howard University Bison for earning their first trip to the Cricket Celebration Bowl,” Executive Director John Grant said, according to ESPN. “We are excited for the Bison to make their first appearance and join us in this championship matchup.”

Howard will play against the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The title will go to the winner of the Dec. 2 conference championship game between the Florida A&M Rattlers and the Prairie View A&M Panthers.

“I didn’t choose Howard because of what it had been in football. I chose the brand, I chose this place, I chose the history,” head coach Larry Scott told WUSA9 about ending his third season on a high note.

He highlighted the importance of this opportunity and playing on a national stage.

“The historical perspective with that is every season takes on a life of its own…” he told The Hilltop. “The opportunity to go win a Black national championship — that’s the blessing. Now, all we have to do is prepare well and walk in the blessing.”

Organized annually since 2015, the Cricket Celebration Bowl celebrates the heritage and legacy of HBCUs. Last year, the event attracted a television audience of over 2.4 million viewers on ABC, according to ESPN.

The 2023 Celebration Bowl will be played on Dec. 16 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It will be broadcast live on ABC and is set to air at noon ET.

Blavity-UBlavity-U-NewsCricket celebration bowlFootballHoward Bisonhoward university