Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State football team plays just its second road contest of the season this Saturday when it faces Florida A&M (4-2, 2-1 MEAC) at 3 p.m. in Tallahassee, Fla. 

The Spartans (3-3, 2-2) will be seeking their first two-game winning streak of the season. If you can't make it to the game, listen to the action on the NSU Sports Network (91.1 FM, 102.1 FM and 1490 AM). The NSU Sports Network audio simulcast can be heard by clicking here.

Previewing the Spartans
The Spartans are now 3-3 overall, 2-2 in the MEAC after their impressive 46-6 win over Hampton last Saturday. NSU rolled up a season-high 443 total yards (229 passing, 214 rushing) and scored touchdowns on its fi rst fi ve possessions to earn its biggest win over Hampton since 1970. QB Dennis Brown (Miami, Fla.) passed for 229 yards and two TDs, and also ran for a career-high three scores, to lead the offense and earn MEAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades. Brown now ranks second in the MEAC in both passing (177.5 ypg) and total offense (212.3 ypg). WR Chris Bell (Norfolk, Va.) had five receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns, and RB DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.) rushed for a season-high 129 yards and another touchdown. Bell ranks second in the MEAC in receiving yards (75.3 ypg) and Branche is third in rushing (75.0 ypg).

The Spartan defense continued its solid play by holding the MEAC's leading rushing offense to just 88 yards on the ground, and 203 total yards. NSU forced three Pirate turnovers and sacked HU quarterbacks four times. SS Josh Anderson (Chesapeake, Va.) led the way with a team-high seven tackles, two for loss. He had a sack and forced fumble in the third quarter which led to a Spartan touchdown. 

Previewing the Rattlers
Florida A&M (4-2, 2-1) dropped a 35-20 decision at defending MEAC champion South Carolina State last Saturday in a matchup of conference unbeatens. The Rattlers trailed 35-13 at halftime and could not recover. QB Curtis Pulley passed for 320 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted three times by the SCSU defense. FAMU fi nished with just 35 yards rushing on 25 carries.

Pulley has been a one-man wrecking crew for FAMU this season. He has led the team in passing (1,310 yards, eight TDs) and rushing (394, two TDs). He ranks fourth in the MEAC in rushing and first in total offense (284.0 ypg). WRs Isaac West (455) and Kevin Elliott (422) both have over 400 receiving yards and have combined for six touchdowns.

In addition to those weapons, FAMU also boasts an All-American return man in LeRoy Vann, who
has run back four punts for touchdowns this season. He is tied for the NCAA career record for most
punt return TDs, with seven. 

The Rattler defense comes into this week's contest ranked sixth in the MEAC in yardage allowed
(304.0 ypg).