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NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule this week when it plays at Division I FBS Buffalo. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. from UB Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. 

This marks the fifth straight year the Spartans will face an opponent from the NCAA's top classification and concludes the non-conference portion of their schedule which has included two currently-ranked FCS teams (Liberty, William & Mary) and another that just fell out of the rankings (Maine).

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
The Spartans dropped to 0-3 on the year following a 29-14 loss at No. 16/19 William & Mary last Saturday in Williamsburg, Va. The Spartans outgained W&M 322-234 in total offense, but could not overcome an interception and a blocked field goal that were both returned for touchdowns by the Tribe. W&M also recorded a safety and capitalized on three NSU turnovers.

Freshman quarterback Terrance Ervin, making his second career start, completed 16-of-24 passes for 176 yards. Sophomore Aaron Daniels ran for a career-high 106 yards and a touchdown - the first of his career and the first of the year for the Spartans. Isaac White notched career highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (89).

NSU's defense allowed just 68 yards rushing by W&M. Marcell Coke and Keenan Lambert had nine tackles apiece. Deon King had six stops, two for loss and one sack.

SCOUTING THE BULLS
Buffalo is 1-2 following a 63-21 loss to No. 8/7 FBS Baylor last Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y. The Bears led 35-0 at halftime and rolled up 669 yards of offense, including 480 passing. Buffalo recorded 21 second-half points thanks largely to the passing of Joe Licata and Tony Daniel, who combined to pass for 255 yards. Devon Hughes scored on a 41-yard pass play and Anthone Taylor scored on a 41-yard TD run in the third quarter, and a 17-yard TD pass from Daniel to Malcolm Robinson midway through the fourth quarter.

Licata leads the MAC in both passing yards per game (290) and TD passes (nine).

The loss to Baylor was the second in a row for the Bulls, who dropped a 47-39 decision at Army on Sept. 6 following a season-opening win over Duquesne on Aug. 30. The Bulls have 16 starters back from last year's 8-5 team that played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

THE SERIES
• This is the first-ever meeting between NSU and Buffalo.
• The Spartans are 0-6 all-time against FBS teams, including 0-1 against the MAC.

QUICK HITS FROM WILLIAM & MARY
• The loss was NSU's eighth straight non-conference defeat dating to a 31-24 win over Liberty on Sept. 8, 2012.
• The Spartans notched season highs in passing yards (176) and total offense (322) and scored their first two touchdowns of the season.
• Aaron Daniels (21-106) had career highs in rushing attempts and yards for the second straight week.
• Daniels (7-yard run) and Terry Polk (1-yard run) scored their first career TDs.
• W&M had just 68 rushing yards, the third straight NSU opponent to finish under 100 rushing yards.
• CB D'Metrius Williams had his fi rst interception as a Spartan and NSU's first pick of the year.
• The Spartans had both a punt and a field goal blocked.
• Freshman WR Markice Street made his first career start and had career highs of three catches for 46 yards.

DEFENSE STRONG ONCE AGAIN
By contrast, the NSU defense has been as good as advertised to start the season. The Spartans have allowed a total of just 56 points to perennial standouts Maine, Liberty and William & Mary. NSU is currently ninth in the nation in total defense (233.7 ypg allowed) and third-down defense (25 percent), 13th in rushing defense (78.3 ypg) and 27th in scoring defense (18.7 ppg). The Spartan defense allowed just 68 yards rushing against William & Mary last week and has allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards in three straight games for the fi rst time in Pete Adrian's tenure.