South Carolina State quarterback Ryan Stubblefield made sure there was no drop‑off this year when his number was called in the Celebration Bowl.
Thrust into action on college football’s biggest HBCU stage, the backup signal-caller led the Bulldogs to a thrilling 40–38 win over Prairie View A&M in Saturday’s Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“There’s no fall-off between the starter and the backup, so I just prepared like I was the starter,” said Stubblefield. “When my number was called, I was ready to play.”
In last season’s 28-7 loss to Jackson State, Stubblefield was inserted to briefly replace then-starter Eric Phoenix and was overwhelmed by the Tigers’ defense. He went a pedestrian 2 for 3 passing with just five yards and an interception in the 2024 game.
But this time, taking over late in the second quarter after Billy Akins left with a shoulder injury, Stubblefield’s steady play anchored an offense that found its rhythm at crucial moments after being down 21-0.
It all started when South Carolina State got the ball back on a botched Prairie View handoff. Stubblefield and wide receiver Jordan Smith then hooked up for a 19-yard scoring strike, and Smith added a rushing touchdown as SC State scored 21 points in just over six minutes to tie it.
The Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP completed 15 of 29 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Once Stubblefield settled in, South Carolina State matched Prairie View’s explosive offense drive for drive, eventually forcing overtime with a late fourth-quarter touchdown toss. The score was set up by a desperation fourth-and-15 conversion to Smith with 3:45 left in regulation.
In the fourth extra period, Stubblefield rolled right and hit Tyler Smith on the decisive two-point play to put the Bulldogs up 40-38, then watched the defense stuff Cameron Peters short of the goal line to secure the program’s second Celebration Bowl title.
Wideout Jordan Smith emerged as Stubblefield’s go-to target, finishing with nine catches for 152 yards, two touchdown receptions and a rushing score as South Carolina State claimed the HBCU national championship on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium turf.
Though Peters posted a game-high 412 passing yards and four touchdowns in the loss, it was Stubblefield’s prepared backup-turned-hero storyline that defined the night.
“I’m still dreaming this,” he said. “This is what I play the game for. This is why I came to South Carolina State.”
