North Carolina Central Eagles eye bowl game opportunity

DURHAM, North Carolina — When C.J. Moore committed to play for the North Carolina Central University Eagles, a trip to a bowl game seemed as likely as a mission to Mars.

"When I got here, that wasn't even a realistic possibility," the senior defensive back said.

But now, the MEAC and SWAC are preparing for liftoff. Earlier this year, the conferences announced the inaugural Celebration Bowl, a relaunch of the old Pelican and Heritage bowls. The Celebration Bowl will pit the MEAC and SWAC champions against each other on Dec. 19 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Now all that's left is for the Eagles to get there.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Moore said. "Anytime you get the chance to be the first at anything, like to be the first team representing this conference in that, would be amazing. It's definitely something we strive for everyday."

The tradeoff is that only the bowl game winner earns an automatic berth into the Football Championship Series Playoffs.

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