Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - NSU opens the 2008 season against long-time in-state rival Virginia State in the Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic. Kick-off is at 6 p.m. Saturday at Dick Price Stadium.

The Spartans are coming off their most successful season in 23 years. The 2007 Spartans notched the school's first winning record as a Division I program, going 8-3 overall and finishing 6-2 in the MEAC. Only an overtime loss at Delaware State prevented the Spartans from capturing their first-ever MEAC title and Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff berth.

NSU returns 16 starters, including five All-MEAC performers, from last year's squad. Those factors, combined with a strong recruiting class, make this one of the most anticipated seasons in NSU football history.

Virginia State kicks off the 2008 season trying to improve on last year's 4-6 overall record, including a 3-4 CIAA mark. The Trojans welcome back 15 starters from 2007, including the team's leading rusher (Nick Fleming) and receiver (Davian Richards). Five defensive starters were lost from last season's VSU team. But all-conference defensive back Andre Lipscomb and linebackers LaQuentin Milo and Isaac Mitchell, who combined for 127 tackles, return.

NSU alumni athletes will be recognized prior to the game, as will organized labor, the Teachers of the Year from the seven-city Hampton Roads area and the state Teacher of the Year.