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NORFOLK, Va. – The NSU football team (2-5, 0-4 MEAC) continues its season-long three-game road swing with a matchup at Bethune-Cookman (4-2, 3-0) this Saturday. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. in Municipal Stadium.
The Spartans are still seeking their first MEAC win of the year while looking to play spoiler against the Wildcats, who enter this week tied for first in the conference standings.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
NSU dropped its fifth straight game last Saturday, falling behind 21-0 at rival Hampton before succumbing by a 28-14 score. NSU outgained the Pirates 251-214, but could not overcome five turnovers, including four interceptions by quarterback Jake Basmagian. Xavier Boyce had seven catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, while Takeem Hedgeman scored on a 1-yard run for NSU's other score. Basmagian completed 25-of-39 passes for 197 yards.
Through seven games, NSU is third in the MEAC in total offense (332.9 ypg) and first in total defense (271.7 ypg). NSU also ranks third in the nation in total defense and third in pass defense (144.3 ypg). Receivers Boyce (fourth) and Derrick Demps (fifth) both rank in the conference's top five in receptions per game, while freshman Brendon Riddick is 10th in rushing (354 yards, 50.6 ypg). Linebacker Lynden Trail continues to pace the league in tackles for loss, with 9.5. He and fellow outside linebacker Jamal Giddens both have four sacks, tied for third-most among MEAC defenders.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Bethune-Cookman had a bye week last Saturday following a 28-12 home win over North Carolina A&T on Oct. 6. That victory moved the Wildcats to 3-0 in the MEAC, where they share the top spot with North Carolina Central entering this week's games. The Wildcats have the MEAC's No. 2 ranked offense (361.0 ypg) and No. 4 defense (344.8 ypg). B-CU leads the MEAC in rushing, at 223.8 yards per game. Running backs Isidore Jackson (492 yards, 3 TD) and Rodney Scott (383, 3) rank third and fourth, respectively, in the conference in rushing. B-CU has played three different quarterbacks this season, with freshman Quentin Williams getting most of the playing time lately. He has passed for 373 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in four games. Defensively, the Wildcats have been led by defensive end LeBrandon Richardson, who is second in the MEAC with five sacks. Linebacker Jarkevis Fields is ninth in the MEAC with 8.2 tackles per game.
MEDIA COVERAGE
• Radio: NSU Sports Network, WXTG 102.1 FM The Game (Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Maguell Davis; Pre-Game: Gordon, Davis and Matt Michalec)
• Audio Stream: Click here
• Live Stats: www.bcuathletics.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml
• Live Video: www.b-cuathletics.com (Follow Audio/Video link)
• Twitter Updates: @NSUSpartans
QUICK HITS FROM HAMPTON
• NSU has now lost its four MEAC games by a combined 32 points.
• The Spartans held Hampton to 214 yards of total offense, the Pirates' second-lowest output of the season and least against a MEAC opponent.
• NSU was held to 251 yards of offense, its second-lowest output of the year and least against a MEAC opponent. The Spartans rushed for a season-low 54 yards on 29 carries.
• Xavier Boyce had a season-high 94 yards receiving and matched his season best with seven catches.
• Derrick Demps had a career-best eight catches.
• The Spartans tallied four sacks, their second-best output of the season.
• Inside linebacker Brent Singleton notched his first career sack and had a career-high seven tackles.
• NSU matched its season-high with five turnovers, which it also had at Ohio. The Spartans have 18 turnovers in their last four games.
• Dylan Shaddix punted a season-high eight times for a 43.2-yard average, his third straight game averaging at least 40 yards per punt.
• Offensive lineman Cameron Williams started at left guard. He has now started at both guard positions and right tackle this season.
BASMAGIAN TAKES OVER AT QB
Sophomore quarterback Jake Basmagian made the first start of his Spartan career two weeks ago against Delaware State. The transfer from Los Angeles' Pierce College threw three interceptions, one of which was deflected, but did complete 24 of his 35 passes for 312 yards and a score. His TD pass covered 86 yards – NSU's longest play this season – to senior running back Takeem Hedgeman. In the loss at Hampton, Basmagian again completed passes at a high rate - 25-of-39, or 64 percent. But he also tossed four more interceptions, two of which were off of deflections.
DEFENSE STANDS TALL ONCE MORE
Last year marked the third consecutive season in which NSU ranked in the top 10 among all FCS schools in total defense. After finishing sixth nationally in both 2009 and 2010, the 2011 defense proved to be the best in the Pete Adrian era, ranking second in the FCS. This year's defense is also off to a good start, allowing just 271.7 yards per game, good for No. 3 nationally. NSU also ranks:
• 3rd nationally in pass defense (144.3 ypg)
• 21st in tackles for loss (7.1 per game)
• 31st in sacks (2.4 per game).
PLAYING CLOSE TO HOME
In addition to NSU's ties to Bethune-Cookman through coaches Pete Adrian and Mark DeBastiani, this week's game at B-CU also gives nine members of the Spartan football team a chance to play in their home state. Most are playing within a three to four-hour trip of their hometowns. The nine Florida natives are LB Lynden Trail, WR Nico Flores, RB Randy Maynes and DB Natturner Harris of Miami; LB Brent Singleton of Miramar, DL Kevin Williams of Bradenton, LB Marcell Coke of Orlando, DL Matt Grant of Sunrise and WR Derrick Demps of Tallahassee. NSU has more players from Florida than any other state in the country outside of Virginia.
