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The '''Pelican Bowl''' is a defunct [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[NCAA Division II|Division II]]<ref>At the time of the bowl's creation in 1972, the NCAA was divided into the "University Division" and "College Division". The current three-division setup was established in 1973. The conferences that participated in this game eventually became [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] conferences, and their members' football programs now compete in the [[NCAA Division I#Football Championship Subdivision|Football Championship Subdivision]].</ref> [[bowl game]] that pitted the conference champions from the [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]] (MEAC) and the [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]] (SWAC) to determine the [[Historically black colleges and universities|black]] [[college football]] national championship in the United States between 1972–75. The game was won by the SWAC opponent in all three editions of the bowl. Due to low attendance, the game folded following the 1975 contest; the concept would be revived from 1991 to 1999 with the [[Heritage Bowl]] and again in 2015 with the [[Celebration Bowl]].
The '''Pelican Bowl''' is a defunct [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[NCAA Division II|Division II]]<ref>At the time of the bowl's creation in 1972, the NCAA was divided into the "University Division" and "College Division". The current three-division setup was established in 1973. The conferences that participated in this game eventually became [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] conferences, and their members' football programs now compete in the [[NCAA Division I#Football Championship Subdivision|Football Championship Subdivision]].</ref> [[bowl game]] that was supposed to match the overall champions or top-seeded co-champions from the new [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]] (MEAC) and the long-established [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]] (SWAC) to determine the [[Historically black colleges and universities|black]] [[college football]] national championship in the United States between 1972–75. The game was won by the SWAC opponent in all three editions of the bowl. Due to low attendance, the game folded following the 1975 contest; the concept would be revived from 1991 to 1999 with the [[Heritage Bowl]] and again in 2015 with the [[Celebration Bowl]].


==History==
==History==
The inaugural Pelican Bowl was originally scheduled to be played in [[Ace W. Mumford Stadium]] on the campus of [[Southern University]] in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]].<ref name="November 21, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_h8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pAQGAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=827%2C3479419 |title=Game could switch to North Carolina |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=7 |newspaper=The Evening Herald |location=Rock Hill, SC |date=November 21, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> However, due to campus unrest in the wake of an on-campus shooting on November 16, 1972, officials from both the SWAC and MEAC decided to move the game to another location.<ref name="November 21, 1972"/> An announcement was officially made to move the game on November 21 to [[Wallace Wade Stadium]] in [[Durham, North Carolina]].<ref name="November 22, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w29hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2wkEAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=5944%2C4993529 |title=Duke selected as bowl site |last=UPI Reporters |agency=United Press International |page=16 |newspaper=Star-News |location=Wilmington, NC |date=November 22, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> The game marked the first bowl game played in the state of North Carolina since the [[1942 Rose Bowl]].<ref name="November 21, 1972"/><ref name="November 22, 1972"/> In the inaugural contest [[Grambling State University|Grambling College]] defeated [[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central]] 56–6 to capture the 1972 black college football national championship.<ref name="NYT1972">{{cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0D13FC3F59107A93C1A91789D95F468785F9 |title=Grambling wins and claims title |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=New York Times |date=December 3, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref>
The inaugural Pelican Bowl was originally scheduled to be played in [[Ace W. Mumford Stadium]] on the campus of [[Southern University]] in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]].<ref name="November 21, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_h8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pAQGAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=827%2C3479419 |title=Game could switch to North Carolina |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=7 |newspaper=The Evening Herald |location=Rock Hill, SC |date=November 21, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> However, due to campus unrest in the wake of an on-campus shooting on November 16, 1972, officials from both the SWAC and MEAC decided to move the game to another location.<ref name="November 21, 1972"/> An announcement was officially made to move the game on November 21 to [[Wallace Wade Stadium]] in [[Durham, North Carolina]].<ref name="November 22, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w29hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2wkEAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=5944%2C4993529 |title=Duke selected as bowl site |last=UPI Reporters |agency=United Press International |page=16 |newspaper=Star-News |location=Wilmington, NC |date=November 22, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> The game marked the first bowl game played in the state of North Carolina since the [[1942 Rose Bowl]].<ref name="November 21, 1972"/><ref name="November 22, 1972"/> In the inaugural contest [[Grambling State University|Grambling College]] defeated [[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central]] 56–6 to capture the 1972 black college football national championship.<ref name="NYT1972">{{cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0D13FC3F59107A93C1A91789D95F468785F9 |title=Grambling wins and claims title |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=New York Times |date=December 3, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref>


The 1973 contest was scheduled to be played at [[Tulane Stadium]] in [[New Orleans]].<ref name="November 10, 1973">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E74lAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lvMFAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=5375%2C4294527 |title=Pelican Bowl is canceled |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Miami News |page=4B |date=November 10, 1973 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="GSPNovember 10, 1973">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KIAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J80EAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=2537%2C1690128 |title=Pelican Bowl is cancelled |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |page=A6 |date=November 10, 1973 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> However, in November 1973 league officials announced the cancellation of the game as a result of both unavailability of the stadium for the contest on December 1 (the annual rivalry between [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] and [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]] was scheduled for that date), in addition to the NCAA not officially sanctioning the game for play.<ref name="GSPNovember 10, 1973"/> In fall 1974, league officials announced the game had been officially sanctioned and would be played in New Orleans on December 7.<ref name="October 31, 1974">{{cite magazine |date=October 31, 1974 |title=Black bowl game finds permanent home in Louisiana |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |page=48 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ClsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=%22Pelican+Bowl%22&hl=en&ei=UEAuTaizJ4KssAPRru3hBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Pelican%20Bowl%22&f=false |accessdate=January 13, 2011}}</ref> Before 30,120 fans, Grambling captured its second Pelican Bowl championship with its 28–7 victory over [[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State]].<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q55JAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rwwNAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=4602%2C1695289 |title=Grambling outdefenses State in Pelican Bowl |first=James |last=Beck |page=1B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=December 8, 1974 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> Although Grambling was selected as the consensus black college football national champion, they were unable to participate in the 1975 Pelican Bowl due to their forfeiting their game against [[Prairie View A&M University|Prairie View A&M]].<ref name="January 22, 1976">{{cite magazine |date=January 22, 1976 |title=Nearly called off, Pelican Bowl played; Southern wins |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |page=48 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=j8ADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=%22Pelican+Bowl%22&hl=en&ei=UEAuTaizJ4KssAPRru3hBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Pelican%20Bowl%22&f=false |accessdate=January 13, 2011 }}</ref> As such, SWAC [[athletic director]]s voted for [[Southern University]] to play in the contest against South Carolina State.<ref name="January 22, 1976"/> Before a sparse crowd of 6,748 at the [[Louisiana Superdome]], Southern was victorious 15–12.<ref name="January 22, 1976"/> Due to the low attendance, the Pelican Bowl folded.<ref name="December 21, 1996">{{cite news |title=Heritage Bowl struggling for acceptance |first=Earnest |last=Reese |page=9H |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution |date=December 21, 1996}}</ref> In 1991, the concept of a postseason bowl game featuring the MEAC and SWAC was revived with the introduction of the [[Heritage Bowl]].<ref name="December 21, 1996"/>
The 1973 contest was scheduled to be played at [[Tulane Stadium]] in [[New Orleans]].<ref name="November 10, 1973">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E74lAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lvMFAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=5375%2C4294527 |title=Pelican Bowl is canceled |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Miami News |page=4B |date=November 10, 1973 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="GSPNovember 10, 1973">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KIAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J80EAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=2537%2C1690128 |title=Pelican Bowl is cancelled |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |page=A6 |date=November 10, 1973 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> However, in November 1973 league officials announced the cancellation of the game as a result of both unavailability of the stadium for the contest on December 1 (the annual rivalry between [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] and [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]] was scheduled for that date), in addition to the NCAA not officially sanctioning the game for play.<ref name="GSPNovember 10, 1973"/> In addition, the bowl game was now also suffering an identity crisis with the creation of the [[1973 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|Division II playoffs]] that year and the incorporation of other Division II bowls into the new playoff brackets. With the suspension of the Pelican Bowl, the SWAC's top-seeded co-champion, Grambling, had no conflict of interest by participating in the inaugural playoffs.
In the fall of 1974, league officials announced that the game had been officially sanctioned and would be played in New Orleans on December 7.<ref name="October 31, 1974">{{cite magazine |date=October 31, 1974 |title=Black bowl game finds permanent home in Louisiana |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |page=48 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ClsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=%22Pelican+Bowl%22&hl=en&ei=UEAuTaizJ4KssAPRru3hBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Pelican%20Bowl%22&f=false |accessdate=January 13, 2011}}</ref> However, the bowl was not revived completely without issues. [[SWAC Championship Game|SWAC co-champion]] [[Alcorn State University|Alcorn State]] was the conference's top seed but elected to compete in the [[1974 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|Division II playoffs]] over the fledgling Pelican Bowl. Grambling—also SWAC co-champion but the conference's second seed because of a loss to Alcorn—represented the SWAC in the Pelican Bowl in Alcorn's place.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grambling State Yearly Results|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/g/grambling_state/1970-1974_yearly_results.php|work=cfbdatawarehouse.com|accessdate=September 10, 2016}}</ref> Regardless, before 30,120 fans, Grambling captured its second Pelican Bowl championship with its 28–7 victory over [[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State]].<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q55JAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rwwNAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=4602%2C1695289 |title=Grambling outdefenses State in Pelican Bowl |first=James |last=Beck |page=1B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=December 8, 1974 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref>
The next year, although Grambling was selected as the consensus black college football national champions—they had even defeated both [[University of Hawaii|Hawaii]] and [[Oregon State University|Oregon State]] over consecutive weekends<ref>{{cite web|title=Grambling State Yearly Results|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/g/grambling_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php|work=cfbdatawarehouse.com|accessdate=September 10, 2016}}</ref>—they were unable to participate in the 1975 Pelican Bowl due to their forfeiting their game against [[Prairie View A&M University|Prairie View A&M]].<ref name="January 22, 1976">{{cite magazine|date=January 22, 1976|title=Nearly called off, Pelican Bowl played; Southern wins |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|page=48|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=j8ADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=%22Pelican+Bowl%22&hl=en&ei=UEAuTaizJ4KssAPRru3hBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Pelican%20Bowl%22&f=false|accessdate=January 13, 2011 }}</ref> As such, SWAC [[athletic director]]s voted for [[Southern University]]—the conference's co-champions with [[Jackson State University|Jackson State]], and also the top seed—to play in the contest against South Carolina State.<ref name="January 22, 1976"/> Before a sparse crowd of 6,748 at the [[Louisiana Superdome]], Southern was victorious 15–12.<ref name="January 22, 1976"/> Due to the low attendance, the Pelican Bowl folded.<ref name="December 21, 1996">{{cite news |title=Heritage Bowl struggling for acceptance |first=Earnest |last=Reese |page=9H |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution |date=December 21, 1996}}</ref> In 1991, the concept of a postseason bowl game featuring the MEAC and SWAC was revived with the introduction of the [[Heritage Bowl]].<ref name="December 21, 1996"/>


==Results==
==Results==
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For the 1972 contest, the [[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central Eagles]] secured a berth first after defeating [[North Carolina A&T Aggies|North Carolina A&T]] 9–7 to clinch the MEAC championship on November 18.<ref name="November 21, 1972@">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HJtIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hgoNAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=1458%2C4746485 |title=North Carolina has three bowl teams |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=4B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=November 21, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> The following week, the [[Grambling State University|Grambling Tigers]] secured their spot in the bowl as SWAC champions with a loss by [[Alcorn State University|Alcorn A&M]] against [[Jackson State Tigers|Jackson State]] with whom they owned the [[tiebreaker]].<ref name="November 24, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ngsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KswEAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=3387%2C5032382 |title=Grambling backs into Pelican Bowl |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=B3 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=November 24, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> In the inaugural contest Grambling routed Central 56–6 in capturing the 1972 black college football national championship.<ref name="NYT1972"/><ref name="December 3, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3mJJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZQoNAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=820%2C466064 |title=Grambling routes Central in Pelican Bowl, 56–6 |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=4B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=December 3, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref>
For the 1972 contest, the [[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central Eagles]] secured a berth first after defeating [[North Carolina A&T Aggies|North Carolina A&T]] 9–7 to clinch the MEAC championship on November 18.<ref name="November 21, 1972@">{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HJtIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hgoNAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=1458%2C4746485|title=North Carolina has three bowl teams|last=AP Staff Reporters|agency=Associated Press|page=4B|newspaper=The News and Courier|location=Charleston, SC|date=November 21, 1972|accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> The following week, the [[Grambling State University|Grambling State Tigers]] secured their spot in the bowl as SWAC co-champions with a loss by [[Alcorn State University|Alcorn State]] (who was previously 4–0–1 in conference play) against [[Jackson State Tigers|Jackson State]] (who was now 5–1, and with whom Grambling owned the [[tiebreaker]]).<ref name="November 24, 1972">{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ngsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KswEAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=3387%2C5032382|title=Grambling backs into Pelican Bowl|last=AP Staff Reporters|agency=Associated Press|page=B3|newspaper=Herald-Journal|location=Spartanburg, SC|date=November 24, 1972|accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref> In the inaugural contest Grambling routed Central 56–6 in capturing the 1972 black college football national championship.<ref name="NYT1972"/><ref name="December 3, 1972">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3mJJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZQoNAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=820%2C466064 |title=Grambling routes Central in Pelican Bowl, 56–6 |last=AP Staff Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=4B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=December 3, 1972 |accessdate=January 11, 2011}}</ref>


Grambling [[running back]] Rod Tureaud opened the scoring with touchdown runs of one and 56-yards to give the Tigers a 14–0 lead. Tureaud was injured later in the period, and his replacement Lee Fobbs answered with a 55-yard touchdown run to give Grambling a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> Central opened the second quarter with their only points of the game coming on an eight-yard Garvin Stone touchdown pass to Jeff Inmon to cut the lead to 21–6 only to see Grambling respond with another pair of touchdowns before the half.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> [[Matthew Reed]] hit Jackie Jefferson for a 14-yard touchdown reception and [[Steve Dennis]] [[interception|intercepted]] a Stone pass and returned it 70-yards for a score as time expired to give the Tigers a 35–6 lead at the half.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> After extending their lead to 42–6 in the third on a five-yard Reed pass to Oliver Alexander, Grambling scored another pair of touchdowns in the fourth.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> Herman Christophe scored on a 24-yard run and Eartha Reeves scored the game's final points in a one-yard run to make the final score 56–6.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> For their performances, Reed was selected as the offensive MVP and [[linebacker]] Walt Baisy was selected as the defensive MVP of the game.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/>
Grambling [[running back]] Rod Tureaud opened the scoring with touchdown runs of one and 56-yards to give the Tigers a 14–0 lead. Tureaud was injured later in the period, and his replacement Lee Fobbs answered with a 55-yard touchdown run to give Grambling a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> Central opened the second quarter with their only points of the game coming on an eight-yard Garvin Stone touchdown pass to Jeff Inmon to cut the lead to 21–6 only to see Grambling respond with another pair of touchdowns before the half.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> [[Matthew Reed]] hit Jackie Jefferson for a 14-yard touchdown reception and [[Steve Dennis]] [[interception|intercepted]] a Stone pass and returned it 70-yards for a score as time expired to give the Tigers a 35–6 lead at the half.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> After extending their lead to 42–6 in the third on a five-yard Reed pass to Oliver Alexander, Grambling scored another pair of touchdowns in the fourth.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> Herman Christophe scored on a 24-yard run and Eartha Reeves scored the game's final points in a one-yard run to make the final score 56–6.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/> For their performances, Reed was selected as the offensive MVP and [[linebacker]] Walt Baisy was selected as the defensive MVP of the game.<ref name="December 3, 1972"/>
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For the 1974 contest, the [[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State Bulldogs]] entered the game as MEAC champions with an 8–3 record.<ref name="GSPDecember 7, 1974">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u1MsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B80EAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=6106%2C1678702 |title=S.C.State meets Grambling today |first=Steve |last=Sanders |page=A6 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=December 7, 1974 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> The [[Grambling State University|Grambling Tigers]] entered the game as SWAC champions, on a ten-game winning streak, with a 10–1 record.<ref name="GSPDecember 7, 1974"/> For the second time in as many contests Grambling was victorious, this time by a score of 28–7 in capturing the 1974 black college football national championship.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s1MsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B80EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2511%2C1842686 |title=Grambling defeats S.C. State, 28–7 |first=Steve |last=Sanders |page=B1 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=December 8, 1974 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref>
For the 1974 contest, the [[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State Bulldogs]] entered the game as MEAC champions with an 8–3 record.<ref name="GSPDecember 7, 1974">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u1MsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B80EAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=6106%2C1678702 |title=S.C.State meets Grambling today |first=Steve |last=Sanders |page=A6 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=December 7, 1974 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> The [[Grambling State University|Grambling State Tigers]] entered the game as the second-seeded SWAC co-champions, on a ten-game winning streak, with a 10–1 record.<ref name="GSPDecember 7, 1974"/> For the second time in as many contests Grambling was victorious, this time by a score of 28–7 in capturing the 1974 black college football national championship.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s1MsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B80EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2511%2C1842686 |title=Grambling defeats S.C. State, 28–7 |first=Steve |last=Sanders |page=B1 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=December 8, 1974 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref>


The game started with Grambling's Kenneth Chandler taking the opening [[Kickoff (American football)|kickoff]] 61-yards to the Bulldog 17-yard line. Three plays later, [[Doug Williams (American football)|Doug Williams]] hit [[Dwight Scales]] for a 19-yard touchdown reception and a 7–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> State had opportunities to score in the first, only to see Leroy Mason miss [[Field goal (American and Canadian football)|field goals]] of 49 and 48-yards.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> In the second quarter, the Tigers' defense reached the endzone after [[defensive tackle]] Robert Barber recovered a James Robinson [[fumble]] and returned it 34-yards for a 14–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> Williams scored on an eight-yard run late in the second to give Grambling a 21–0 lead at the [[Half-time|half]].<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> Early in the third, Williams again connected with Scales for a 26-yard touchdown reception and a 28–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> The Bulldogs' scored their lone points in the fourth when Neeley Dunn scored on a one-yard run to make the finals score 28–7.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> For their performances, Williams was selected as the offensive MVP and Bulldog defensive tackle Robert Simms was selected as the defensive MVP of the game.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/>
The game started with Grambling's Kenneth Chandler taking the opening [[Kickoff (American football)|kickoff]] 61-yards to the Bulldog 17-yard line. Three plays later, [[Doug Williams (American football)|Doug Williams]] hit [[Dwight Scales]] for a 19-yard touchdown reception and a 7–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> State had opportunities to score in the first, only to see Leroy Mason miss [[Field goal (American and Canadian football)|field goals]] of 49 and 48-yards.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> In the second quarter, the Tigers' defense reached the endzone after [[defensive tackle]] Robert Barber recovered a James Robinson [[fumble]] and returned it 34-yards for a 14–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> Williams scored on an eight-yard run late in the second to give Grambling a 21–0 lead at the [[Half-time|half]].<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> Early in the third, Williams again connected with Scales for a 26-yard touchdown reception and a 28–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> The Bulldogs' scored their lone points in the fourth when Neeley Dunn scored on a one-yard run to make the finals score 28–7.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/><ref name="GSPDecember 8, 1974"/> For their performances, Williams was selected as the offensive MVP and Bulldog defensive tackle Robert Simms was selected as the defensive MVP of the game.<ref name="CHSDecember 8, 1974"/>
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{{AFB game box end}}


For the 1975 contest, the [[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State Bulldogs]] entered the game as MEAC champions for the second year in a row with an 8–1–1 record.<ref name="January 3, 1976">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ySFKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PSENAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=2827%2C43223 |title=S.C.State downed 15–12 in Pelican Bowl title |last=Staff Reporters |page=10 |newspaper=Afro-American |location=Washington, DC |date=January 3, 1976 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> The [[Southern University|Southern Jaguars]] entered the game as SWAC champions with a 9–3 record.<ref name="January 3, 1976"/> For the third time in as many contests the SWAC champion was victorious, this time it was Southern by a score of 15–12.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3BlZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hkYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2408%2C6218772 |title=Southern trips S.C. State 15–12 |last=AP Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=1B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=December 28, 1975 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="GSPDecember 28, 1975">{{cite news |title=Southern comeback bumps State, 15–12 |first=Leslie |last=Timms |page=B1 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=December 28, 1975 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref>
For the 1975 contest, the [[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State Bulldogs]] entered the game as MEAC champions for the second year in a row, with an 8–1–1 record.<ref name="January 3, 1976">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ySFKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PSENAAAAIBAJ&dq=pelican-bowl&pg=2827%2C43223 |title=S.C.State downed 15–12 in Pelican Bowl title |last=Staff Reporters |page=10 |newspaper=Afro-American |location=Washington, DC |date=January 3, 1976 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> The [[Southern University|Southern Jaguars]] entered the game as the top-seeded SWAC co-champions, with a 9–3 record.<ref name="January 3, 1976"/> For the third time in as many contests, the SWAC representative was victorious, this time being Southern by a score of 15–12.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975">{{cite news |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3BlZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hkYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2408%2C6218772 |title=Southern trips S.C. State 15–12 |last=AP Reporters |agency=Associated Press |page=1B |newspaper=The News and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |date=December 28, 1975 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="GSPDecember 28, 1975">{{cite news |title=Southern comeback bumps State, 15–12 |first=Leslie |last=Timms |page=B1 |newspaper=Herald-Journal |location=Spartanburg, SC |date=December 28, 1975 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref>


In a game dominated by both defenses, the Bulldogs scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns following Jaguar [[fumble]]s on consecutive possessions.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975"/> The first came on an eleven-yard Jessie Prather pass to Mickey Pringle, and the second came on a one-yard Jackie Reed run to take a 12–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975"/><ref name="GSPDecember 28, 1975"/> State retained the lead through the fourth quarter when Southern scored a pair of touchdowns the lead late. Michael Bryant scored first on a ten-yard run and James Johnson hit Ronald Steele for a 29-yard touchdown reception with Bryant converting the [[two-point conversion]] to give the Jaguars the 15–12 victory.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975"/><ref name="GSPDecember 28, 1975"/>
In a game dominated by both defenses, the Bulldogs scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns following Jaguar [[fumble]]s on consecutive possessions.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975"/> The first came on an eleven-yard Jessie Prather pass to Mickey Pringle, and the second came on a one-yard Jackie Reed run to take a 12–0 lead.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975"/><ref name="GSPDecember 28, 1975"/> State retained the lead through the fourth quarter when Southern scored a pair of touchdowns the lead late. Michael Bryant scored first on a ten-yard run and James Johnson hit Ronald Steele for a 29-yard touchdown reception with Bryant converting the [[two-point conversion]] to give the Jaguars the 15–12 victory.<ref name="CHSDecember 28, 1975"/><ref name="GSPDecember 28, 1975"/>
Line 90: Line 94:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Year
!SWAC Champion
!SWAC representative
!Score
!Score
!MEAC Champion
!MEAC representative
!Venue
!Venue
!Attendance
!Attendance
Line 99: Line 103:
|-
|-
|[[1972 college football season|1972]]
|[[1972 college football season|1972]]
|'''[[Grambling State Tigers|Grambling]]'''
|'''[[Grambling State Tigers|Grambling]]''' *
|56&ndash;6
|56&ndash;6
|[[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central]]
|[[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central]] *
|[[Wallace Wade Stadium]] ([[Durham, North Carolina|Durham, NC]])
|[[Wallace Wade Stadium]] ([[Durham, North Carolina|Durham, NC]])
|22,500
|22,500
Line 110: Line 114:
|'''[[Grambling State Tigers|Grambling]]'''
|'''[[Grambling State Tigers|Grambling]]'''
|28&ndash;7
|28&ndash;7
|[[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State]]
|[[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State]] *
|[[Tulane Stadium]] ([[New Orleans|New Orleans, LA]])
|[[Tulane Stadium]] ([[New Orleans|New Orleans, LA]])
|30,120
|30,120
Line 117: Line 121:
|-
|-
|[[1975 college football season|1975]]
|[[1975 college football season|1975]]
|'''[[Southern University Jaguars|Southern]]'''
|'''[[Southern University Jaguars|Southern]]''' *
|15&ndash;12
|15&ndash;12
|[[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State]]
|[[South Carolina State University|South Carolina State]] *
|[[Louisiana Superdome]] ([[New Orleans|New Orleans, LA]])
|[[Louisiana Superdome]] ([[New Orleans|New Orleans, LA]])
|6,748
|6,748
Line 125: Line 129:
|
|
|}
|}

Note: an asterisk denotes when the conference was represented by its outright champion or top-seeded co-champion


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 06:34, 11 September 2016

Pelican Bowl (defunct)
StadiumLouisiana Superdome
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
Previous stadiumsWallace Wade Stadium (1972)
Tulane Stadium (1974)
Previous locationsDurham, North Carolina
Operated1972, 74–75
Conference tie-insMEAC, SWAC

The Pelican Bowl is a defunct NCAA Division II[1] bowl game that was supposed to match the overall champions or top-seeded co-champions from the new Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the long-established Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) to determine the black college football national championship in the United States between 1972–75. The game was won by the SWAC opponent in all three editions of the bowl. Due to low attendance, the game folded following the 1975 contest; the concept would be revived from 1991 to 1999 with the Heritage Bowl and again in 2015 with the Celebration Bowl.

History

The inaugural Pelican Bowl was originally scheduled to be played in Ace W. Mumford Stadium on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[2] However, due to campus unrest in the wake of an on-campus shooting on November 16, 1972, officials from both the SWAC and MEAC decided to move the game to another location.[2] An announcement was officially made to move the game on November 21 to Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.[3] The game marked the first bowl game played in the state of North Carolina since the 1942 Rose Bowl.[2][3] In the inaugural contest Grambling College defeated North Carolina Central 56–6 to capture the 1972 black college football national championship.[4]

The 1973 contest was scheduled to be played at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.[5][6] However, in November 1973 league officials announced the cancellation of the game as a result of both unavailability of the stadium for the contest on December 1 (the annual rivalry between LSU and Tulane was scheduled for that date), in addition to the NCAA not officially sanctioning the game for play.[6] In addition, the bowl game was now also suffering an identity crisis with the creation of the Division II playoffs that year and the incorporation of other Division II bowls into the new playoff brackets. With the suspension of the Pelican Bowl, the SWAC's top-seeded co-champion, Grambling, had no conflict of interest by participating in the inaugural playoffs.

In the fall of 1974, league officials announced that the game had been officially sanctioned and would be played in New Orleans on December 7.[7] However, the bowl was not revived completely without issues. SWAC co-champion Alcorn State was the conference's top seed but elected to compete in the Division II playoffs over the fledgling Pelican Bowl. Grambling—also SWAC co-champion but the conference's second seed because of a loss to Alcorn—represented the SWAC in the Pelican Bowl in Alcorn's place.[8] Regardless, before 30,120 fans, Grambling captured its second Pelican Bowl championship with its 28–7 victory over South Carolina State.[9]

The next year, although Grambling was selected as the consensus black college football national champions—they had even defeated both Hawaii and Oregon State over consecutive weekends[10]—they were unable to participate in the 1975 Pelican Bowl due to their forfeiting their game against Prairie View A&M.[11] As such, SWAC athletic directors voted for Southern University—the conference's co-champions with Jackson State, and also the top seed—to play in the contest against South Carolina State.[11] Before a sparse crowd of 6,748 at the Louisiana Superdome, Southern was victorious 15–12.[11] Due to the low attendance, the Pelican Bowl folded.[12] In 1991, the concept of a postseason bowl game featuring the MEAC and SWAC was revived with the introduction of the Heritage Bowl.[12]

Results

1972

1972 Pelican Bowl
1 234Total
• Grambling 21 14714 56
NC Central 0 600 6

For the 1972 contest, the North Carolina Central Eagles secured a berth first after defeating North Carolina A&T 9–7 to clinch the MEAC championship on November 18.[14] The following week, the Grambling State Tigers secured their spot in the bowl as SWAC co-champions with a loss by Alcorn State (who was previously 4–0–1 in conference play) against Jackson State (who was now 5–1, and with whom Grambling owned the tiebreaker).[15] In the inaugural contest Grambling routed Central 56–6 in capturing the 1972 black college football national championship.[4][16]

Grambling running back Rod Tureaud opened the scoring with touchdown runs of one and 56-yards to give the Tigers a 14–0 lead. Tureaud was injured later in the period, and his replacement Lee Fobbs answered with a 55-yard touchdown run to give Grambling a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.[16] Central opened the second quarter with their only points of the game coming on an eight-yard Garvin Stone touchdown pass to Jeff Inmon to cut the lead to 21–6 only to see Grambling respond with another pair of touchdowns before the half.[16] Matthew Reed hit Jackie Jefferson for a 14-yard touchdown reception and Steve Dennis intercepted a Stone pass and returned it 70-yards for a score as time expired to give the Tigers a 35–6 lead at the half.[16] After extending their lead to 42–6 in the third on a five-yard Reed pass to Oliver Alexander, Grambling scored another pair of touchdowns in the fourth.[16] Herman Christophe scored on a 24-yard run and Eartha Reeves scored the game's final points in a one-yard run to make the final score 56–6.[16] For their performances, Reed was selected as the offensive MVP and linebacker Walt Baisy was selected as the defensive MVP of the game.[16]

1974

1974 Pelican Bowl
1 234Total
SC State 0 007 7
• Grambling 7 1470 28

For the 1974 contest, the South Carolina State Bulldogs entered the game as MEAC champions with an 8–3 record.[17] The Grambling State Tigers entered the game as the second-seeded SWAC co-champions, on a ten-game winning streak, with a 10–1 record.[17] For the second time in as many contests Grambling was victorious, this time by a score of 28–7 in capturing the 1974 black college football national championship.[9][18]

The game started with Grambling's Kenneth Chandler taking the opening kickoff 61-yards to the Bulldog 17-yard line. Three plays later, Doug Williams hit Dwight Scales for a 19-yard touchdown reception and a 7–0 lead.[9][18] State had opportunities to score in the first, only to see Leroy Mason miss field goals of 49 and 48-yards.[9][18] In the second quarter, the Tigers' defense reached the endzone after defensive tackle Robert Barber recovered a James Robinson fumble and returned it 34-yards for a 14–0 lead.[9][18] Williams scored on an eight-yard run late in the second to give Grambling a 21–0 lead at the half.[9][18] Early in the third, Williams again connected with Scales for a 26-yard touchdown reception and a 28–0 lead.[9][18] The Bulldogs' scored their lone points in the fourth when Neeley Dunn scored on a one-yard run to make the finals score 28–7.[9][18] For their performances, Williams was selected as the offensive MVP and Bulldog defensive tackle Robert Simms was selected as the defensive MVP of the game.[9]

1975

1975 Pelican Bowl
1 234Total
SC State 0 1200 12
• Southern 0 0015 15

For the 1975 contest, the South Carolina State Bulldogs entered the game as MEAC champions for the second year in a row, with an 8–1–1 record.[19] The Southern Jaguars entered the game as the top-seeded SWAC co-champions, with a 9–3 record.[19] For the third time in as many contests, the SWAC representative was victorious, this time being Southern by a score of 15–12.[20][21]

In a game dominated by both defenses, the Bulldogs scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns following Jaguar fumbles on consecutive possessions.[20] The first came on an eleven-yard Jessie Prather pass to Mickey Pringle, and the second came on a one-yard Jackie Reed run to take a 12–0 lead.[20][21] State retained the lead through the fourth quarter when Southern scored a pair of touchdowns the lead late. Michael Bryant scored first on a ten-yard run and James Johnson hit Ronald Steele for a 29-yard touchdown reception with Bryant converting the two-point conversion to give the Jaguars the 15–12 victory.[20][21]

Overall results

Year SWAC representative Score MEAC representative Venue Attendance Offensive MVP Defensive MVP
1972 Grambling * 56–6 North Carolina Central * Wallace Wade Stadium (Durham, NC) 22,500 Matthew Reed (Grambling QB) Walt Baisy (Grambling LB)
1974 Grambling 28–7 South Carolina State * Tulane Stadium (New Orleans, LA) 30,120 Doug Williams (Grambling QB) Robert Simms (SC State DT)
1975 Southern * 15–12 South Carolina State * Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, LA) 6,748

Note: an asterisk denotes when the conference was represented by its outright champion or top-seeded co-champion

See also

References

  1. ^ At the time of the bowl's creation in 1972, the NCAA was divided into the "University Division" and "College Division". The current three-division setup was established in 1973. The conferences that participated in this game eventually became Division I conferences, and their members' football programs now compete in the Football Championship Subdivision.
  2. ^ a b c AP Staff Reporters (November 21, 1972). "Game could switch to North Carolina". The Evening Herald. Rock Hill, SC. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  3. ^ a b UPI Reporters (November 22, 1972). "Duke selected as bowl site". Star-News. Wilmington, NC. United Press International. p. 16. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  4. ^ a b AP Staff Reporters (December 3, 1972). "Grambling wins and claims title". New York Times. Associated Press. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  5. ^ AP Staff Reporters (November 10, 1973). "Pelican Bowl is canceled". The Miami News. Associated Press. p. 4B. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  6. ^ a b AP Staff Reporters (November 10, 1973). "Pelican Bowl is cancelled". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. Associated Press. p. A6. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  7. ^ "Black bowl game finds permanent home in Louisiana". Jet. October 31, 1974. p. 48. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  8. ^ "Grambling State Yearly Results". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Beck, James (December 8, 1974). "Grambling outdefenses State in Pelican Bowl". The News and Courier. Charleston, SC. p. 1B. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "Grambling State Yearly Results". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "Nearly called off, Pelican Bowl played; Southern wins". Jet. January 22, 1976. p. 48. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Reese, Earnest (December 21, 1996). "Heritage Bowl struggling for acceptance". The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. p. 9H.
  13. ^ a b c d e f The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Special Regular and Postseason Games: Pelican Bowl" (PDF). 2010 NCAA Division II-III Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 108. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  14. ^ AP Staff Reporters (November 21, 1972). "North Carolina has three bowl teams". The News and Courier. Charleston, SC. Associated Press. p. 4B. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  15. ^ AP Staff Reporters (November 24, 1972). "Grambling backs into Pelican Bowl". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. Associated Press. p. B3. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g AP Staff Reporters (December 3, 1972). "Grambling routes Central in Pelican Bowl, 56–6". The News and Courier. Charleston, SC. Associated Press. p. 4B. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  17. ^ a b Sanders, Steve (December 7, 1974). "S.C.State meets Grambling today". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. p. A6. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Sanders, Steve (December 8, 1974). "Grambling defeats S.C. State, 28–7". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. p. B1. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  19. ^ a b Staff Reporters (January 3, 1976). "S.C.State downed 15–12 in Pelican Bowl title". Afro-American. Washington, DC. p. 10. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  20. ^ a b c d AP Reporters (December 28, 1975). "Southern trips S.C. State 15–12". The News and Courier. Charleston, SC. Associated Press. p. 1B. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  21. ^ a b c Timms, Leslie (December 28, 1975). "Southern comeback bumps State, 15–12". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. p. B1. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
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