Game Notes
NORFOLK, Va. - For the first time in the history of the two schools' football programs, The College of William & Mary visits Norfolk State for a gridiron matchup. Kickoff is 6 p.m. on Saturday at Dick Price Stadium. The game has been designated Smithfield Community Day.
The Tribe has won the previous three series meetings (1977, 1985, 2008) in the series, all of which took place in Williamsburg. That includes a 42-12 decision last season on Sept. 20, 2008.
Previewing the Spartans
Norfolk State dropped to 1-1 on the young season after a tight 17-13 loss at North Carolina A&T last Saturday in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both schools. The Spartans outgained the Aggies 301-231 in total offense, but could not find the end zone on two fourth-quarter drives into Aggie territory.
The Spartans were led by senior quarterback Dennis Brown (Miami, Fla.), who tallied 232 yards of total offense. He ran for a team-high 87 yards and one touchdown, and passed for 145 yards and another score. His TD pass covered 16 yards to junior Chris Bell (Norfolk, Va.).
Through two games, Brown leads the Spartans and ranks third in the MEAC in rushing at 79.5 yards per game (159 total). He has also passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Junior DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.)is averaging 67.5 yards per game (135 total), good for fifth-best in the conference. He has also scored two touchdowns.
The NSU defense has been stout thus far, allowing just 200 yards per game (second in the MEAC). The unit has also surrendered just 13.5 points per game, ranking third in the conference. Leading the way is senior All-American safety Terrell Whitehead (Virginia Beach, Va.), who has a team-high 13 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. Junior linebacker Anthony Taylor (Virginia Beach, Va.)has notched 10 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and one sack.
Previewing the Tribe
William & Mary of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) is off to a 2-0 start after impressive wins over Virginia (26-14) and Central Connecticut State (33-14) in the season's first two weeks. Thanks to the two wins, coach Jimmye Laycock's squad has ascended to No. 6 in The Sports Network's Division I FCS national top 25 poll.
The Tribe scored one of the most talked-about victories of the year thus far with its victory at U.Va. on Sept. 5, thanks to a defense which forced seven turnovers. Last week, W&M rolled up 372 yards of total offense, including 243 on the ground, to down CCSU. Sophomore Jonathan Grimes rushed for 80 yards in last week's win, while senior quarterback R.J. Archer tossed two touchdown passes.
Grimes (63.0 ypg) and Archer (54.5 ypg) spearhead a Tribe rushing attack which is averaging 184 yards through two games. Archer, in his first season as the starting signal-caller, has thrown for 313 yards and three TDs. His favorite target has been senior D.J. McAulay, who has caught eight passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the first two games.
The Tribe also boasts a strong defense. Sophomore linebacker Jake Trantin paces the squad with 21 tackles, 3.5 for loss, while preseason All-American defensive end Adrian Tracy has 17. The W&M defense has allowed just 252.5 yards per game.
Helpful Links
NSU Sports Network audio stream
NSU-W&M live statistics
Tickets and parking information
