It was all set up to be the perfect ending for Deion Sanders:
Coach Jackson State to a Cricket Celebration Bowl victory in front of nearly 50,000 fans in Atlanta. Complete the perfect 13-0 season. Move on to his new job in the Pac-12 at Colorado University with an HBCU national championship in hand.
Only North Carolina Central had other plans.
The Eagles spoiled Sanders’ final game on the sidelines at Jackson State, snaring their fourth HBCU championship in school history with a dramatic 41-34 overtime triumph in front of a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
NCCU junior quarterback Davius Richard earned offensive MVP honors, completing 15-of-20 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. Richard also rushed for 97 yards and two more scores. His 1-yard run in the extra period proved the game-winner.
North Carolina Central won its fourth HBCU national championship in December.
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