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NORFOLK, Va. - NSU opens the 2013 football season at home in the Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic against the University of Maine of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) this Saturday at 6 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.

This marks the first time the Spartans will have ever faced Maine, and just NSU's seventh game all-time against teams currently in the CAA.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
The Norfolk State football team heads into the 2013 season aiming to prove that last year's 4-7 campaign was an aberration. The returning nucleus includes 11 players selected to the All-MEAC preseason teams, five of which received first or second team honors.

Ten returning defenders have starting experience, including junior linebacker Lynden Trail, a preseason All-MEAC first team selection. He paced the Spartans last season with 70 tackles, 17 of which were behind the line of scrimmage. Helping anchor the defense will be junior defensive lineman George Riddick and junior safety Keenan Lambert. Riddick, a preseason second team all-conference selection, is coming off a season in which he led all NSU defensive linemen in tackles (40), tackles for loss (9.0) and sacks (5.5). Lambert leads a veteran secondary that fi nished ranked No. 1 nationally in pass defense a year ago. Lambert had 55 tackles and three interceptions last season.

Offensively, senior tight end Joseph Hawkins and senior receiver Derrick Demps should help shoulder the receiving load. Hawkins was selected to the preseason all-conference first team, after earning All MEAC first team honors in 2012. He caught 27 passes for 322 yards and one score last year. Demps ranked second on the team in catches (42), yards (501) and touchdowns (two) last year. Demps also earned preseason second team all-conference honors.

In the ground game, the Spartans return sophomore running back Brendon Riddick, who led the team in rushing yards (401) and TDs (7) last season. Boston College transfer Rolandan Finch gives NSU a veteran presence in the backfield.

SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS
Maine is coming off a 5-6 campaign in 2012, which included a 4-4 mark in the CAA. The Black Bears did, however, finish last season by winning three of their final four games. The team is predicted to fi nish eighth in the CAA this upcoming season.

Seven starters return for the Maine offense. Maine will depend heavily on senior quarterback Marcus Wasilewski, who passed for 2,364 yards and 21 touchdowns a year ago. Senior tight end Justin Perillo was a preseason All-CAA first team pick who caught 30 passes for 271 yards and five touchdowns last year. Also back are wideouts Derrick Johnson (31 catches, 346 yards, 2 TDs) and Damarr Aultman (29-438-6) in addition to the team's leading rusher, Rickey Stevens (819 yards).

On the defensive side of the ball, eight starters are back from a unit that gave up just 19.5 points per game. Leading the way is senior lineman Michael Cole, a preseason All-American who registered seven sacks in just five games played. Maine also welcomes back a trio of outstanding defensive backs in Kendall James, Khari Al-Mateen and Jamal Clay.

THE COACHES
Norfolk State: Pete Adrian (West Virginia '70)
• Overall: 83-80-1 (16th season)
• At NSU: 47-43 (9th season)
• vs. Maine: 0-0
Maine: Jack Cosgrove (Maine '78)
• Overall and at Maine: 111-118 (21st season)
• vs. NSU: 0-0

NSU VS. THE CAA
• NSU is becoming quite familiar with teams from the CAA. The Spartans are 0-6 all-time against teams currently in the CAA, which does not include an 0-1 mark against cross-town foe Old Dominion, which has left the CAA for the ranks of the FBS and Conference USA.
• NSU is 0-4 all-time against William & Mary, including an 0-2 mark under Pete Adrian with losses in 2008 and 2009.
• NSU is also 0-1 against both Villanova and Towson.
• The Spartans and Maine have never met. They complete a home-and-home series next year when NSU travels to Orono on Labor Day weekend.
• The Spartans also have future games scheduled vs. William & Mary (2014, '16, '17), Richmond ('16) and James Madison ('17, '18).