NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State football team conducted its first scrimmage in full pads on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium. The 80-play controlled scrimmage saw some highlights on both sides of the ball, but in the end, the Spartan defense stood tall and kept the offense out of the end zone.

“You normally see that early in preseason camp,” NSU head coach Pete Adrian said. “We're still getting used to each other out there. But for us to be able to go 80 plays in our second day in full pads, we're ahead of where we normally are.”

The defense had several standouts, led by junior free safety DeVonte Reynolds (Warsaw, Va.). Reynolds, who was splitting time between the first and second units with senior Dwight Fluker-Berry (Miami, Fla.), made three interceptions. Two came off of consecutive tipped passes, one of which he ran back roughly 50 yards for a score. Reynolds also delivered a bit hit on the final play of the scrimmage, when he delivered a body blow in the end zone to senior Nigel McCowan (Mechanicsville, Va.). The hit prevented the wideout from grabbing what appeared to be a touchdown pass from Jake Strickler (Middletown, Calif.).

Fluker-Berry also had an interception return for a score, running back a pick for about 80 yards in the second half of the session.

Among the big plays on offense was a 40-yard burst on a run around left end by senior Donovan Cotton (Tampa, Fla.). Sophomore Reggie Garrett (Chesapeake, Va.), who converted from quarterback to wideout in the spring, made a nice leaping catch of about 30 yards off a pass from Chris Walley (Tallahassee, Fla.).

The kickers also fared well Saturday. Junior Ryan Estep (Chesapeake, Va.) was 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, and junior college transfer Troy Muenzer (Long Beach, Calif.) was 3-for-4.

The scrimmage also marked the first half of the Spartans' initial two-a-day session. After working on special teams on Saturday night, the Spartans will be off Sunday, then return for another two-a-day session on Monday.