Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State (3-1, 1-0 MEAC) and South Carolina State (2-2, 2-0 MEAC) battle to get an early leg up in the MEAC standings this Saturday in the 64th annual Fish Bowl Classic. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.

Both teams enter the game with unblemished MEAC records, and neither team has suffered a loss to a Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent yet.

The Spartans improved to 3-1 overall, their best start since 2007, with a convincing 33-3 win at Charleston Southern of the Big South Conference last Saturday. NSU dominated in all phases of the game, outgaining CSU 519-141 in total offense. Quarterback Chris Walley completed 20 of 23 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Victor Hairston and Xavier Boyce, who both topped 100 yards receiving. Running back Takeem Hedgeman added a career-high 105 yards on the ground for NSU, and Ryan Estep (three) and Everett Goldberg (one) combined to kick four field goals. The NSU defense, meanwhile, allowed just 55 rushing yards and 86 through the air, holding its second
opponent of the season without a touchdown.

South Carolina State is ranked 22nd in The Sports Network top 25 poll after a 69-0 shutout win over Delaware State last Saturday, improving the Bulldogs' record to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC. SCSU gained a season-high 687 yards of total offense while holding the Hornets to just 84, just 10 of those on the ground. Quarterback Derrick Wiley was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 238 yards and four touchdowns while adding 40 yards and two more scores on the ground. SCSU rolled up 399 rushing yards and 288 through the air. Jalen Simmons led the ground game with 126 yards on just 11 carries.

MEDIA COVERAGE
• Radio: NSU Sports Network, WXTG 102.1 FM/1490 AM The Game, WNSB Hot 91.1 FM,
(Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Markeece Preston)
• Audio Stream: Click here (click “Live Audio” link under Inside Athletics tab)
• Video Stream: www.nsuspartans.com/showcase/ (requires subscription)
• Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/football/index.htm

THE SERIES
• SCSU owns a 14-2 series edge over the Spartans. This will be the teams' 17th meeting.
• NSU's only two wins in the series both came at home and both were overtime triumphs: a 24-21 win in 2000 and a 20-13 win in 2007.

QUICK HITS
• NSU is aiming to continue its best start since 2007. The Spartans began that season 6-1 en route to an 8-3 mark and MEAC runner-up finish, which still ranks as NSU's best Division I season.
• The Spartans are 1-22 against ranked FCS opponents, with the only win being a 20-19 victory over No. 18 Hampton in 2007. The Spartans are 0-4 against SCSU when the Bulldogs have been nationally ranked, including a loss to the No. 9 Bulldogs last season.
• The Spartans have two former S.C. State coaches on their staff. Offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell coached at SCSU from 2004-09, tutoring the tight ends for two years before being elevated to offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the final four seasons. NSU receivers coach Howard Feggins was receivers coach and passing game coordinator at SCSU from 2008-10.