NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State football team is ranked No. 24 this week in The Sports Network/Fathead.com Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Top 25 Poll, the organization announced Monday.

This is the Spartans' first FCS national ranking since 2007, and just the third time that NSU has cracked the top 25 poll. NSU made its Sports Network FCS poll debut on Oct. 15, 2007, checking in at No. 25. The following week, the Spartans rose to No. 23 after a win at Florida A&M. The Spartans dropped out of the poll the next week after a loss to Howard on Oct. 27, and have not been ranked since.

The Spartans (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) put their ranking and first-place MEAC standing on the line this Thursday in an ESPNU nationally televised game against Bethune-Cookman. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.

To view the complete poll, click here.