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Prairie View A&M’s appearance in the Celebration Bowl is the culmination of a comeback from one of college football’s most embarrassing feats, the program’s 80-game losing streak from 1989-1998.While that storyline is enough to rally the nation to the Panthers’ cause, the end of a lengthy bowl drought is also worthy of national attention.
Prairie View A&M makes its first bowl appearance in over six decades when it plays in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday. The 1963 Panthers squad capped its season with an appearance in the 1963 Camellia Bowl against a St. John’s of Minnesota program early in legendary head coach John Gagliardi’s 60-year tenure.
The Panthers finished the regular season with a 9-0 record and the Pittsburgh Courier’s Black College Football National Championship. Prairie View A&M’s stellar season deemed them worthy of becoming the first HBCU to compete in the NAIA postseason. The Panthers did not disappoint in the semifinal game against Nebraska-Kearny winning 20-7.
This win earned Prairie View A&M the spot in the Camellia Bowl. The Panthers’ program was no stranger to bowl games before this, participating in the Prairie View Bowl in Houston from 1929-1961.
Unfortunately, the Panthers’ perfect season ended at the hands of St. John’s in a 33-27 loss. Future Chiefs legend Otis Taylor still shined in a losing effort, catching four passes for 96 yards. Panther Quarterback Jimmy Kearney was also impressive with 208 passing yards and 55 rushing yards. However, despite the exploits of these two, Prairie View A&M could not overcome five turnovers.
Prairie View A&M hopes to vindicate the 1963 team with a win in the Celebration Bowl. Not only would a win, put them on top of the Black College Football world, it would build upon a tradition built on several Prairie View Bowl victories.
