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NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State returns home after two consecutive games on the road to face Morgan State in the 67th Annual Fish Bowl Classic. The game represents the MEAC opener for NSU. The University will also celebrate Family Weekend this week.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
NSU dropped to 0-4 on the year after a 36-7 loss at Division I FBS opponent Buffalo last week in Buffalo, N.Y. The Bulls piled up 431 yards of offense, the most by an NSU opponent this year. UB quarterback Joe Licata passed for 229 yards and three touchdowns, two to Devon Hughes. The Spartans' only score came on a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Terrance Ervin to receiver Isaac White early in the first quarter. It was the first career TD pass for Ervin, and the first TD reception in White's career. Ervin finished the day with 99 passing yards, 79 going to White. Linebacker Marcell Coke was in on 12 tackles to lead the Spartans, while Lamar Neal and Lynden Trail had eight apiece.

After four games, the Spartans rank 10th in the MEAC in total offense (213 yards per game) and 11th in scoring (6.8 points per game). The NSU defense is second in the conference in both total defense (283 ypg allowed) and scoring defense (23.0 ppg allowed). Aaron Daniels comes into this week's game ranking eighth in the MEAC in rushing (213 yards, 53.2 ypg). White is fifth in the conference in receptions (18, 4.5 per game) and eighth in receiving yards (213, 53.2 ypg). Defensively, Coke is tied for second among MEAC players in tackles (38, 9.5 per game) while Trail is fourth in both tackles for loss (6.0) and sacks (3.5).

SCOUTING THE BEARS
After a pair of three-point losses to start the season, Morgan State has rebounded to win its last two games. The Bears topped Division II Bowie State 28-3 two weeks ago, then opened their MEAC slate with a 38-35 win over Howard last Saturday in the New York Urban League Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. Against Howard, Chris Moller kicked the game-winning 38-yard field goal with 28 seconds left. MSU's defense then recorded sacks on back-to-back plays to end Howard's late drive. Herb Walker led MSU with 141 rushing yards and two scores last week. Quarterback Robert Council ran for 90 yards and one TD in addition to 168 yards and two TDs through the air.

MSU is second in the MEAC in scoring offense, averaging 30 points per game, and tops all league teams with 405.8 yards per game. The Bears also pace the conference in rushing offense (273.8 ypg). Walker has stepped in as the Bears' top ball-carrier following an injury to starter Lamont Brown. Walker has a MEAC-high 601 rushing yards and has scored six touchdowns. MSU boasts both the MEAC's top tackler in linebacker Cody Acker (43, 10.8 per game) and the MEAC's leader in sacks in Chris Robinson (6.5).

THE SERIES
• NSU leads the series with Morgan State, 17-11.
• The Spartans have won seven straight against the Bears and 14 of 17 since moving to Division I.

MEDIA COVERAGE
• Radio: NSU Sports Network, ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
(Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Maguell Davis; Pre-Game: Gordon, Davis and Matt Michalec)
• Audio Stream: www.espnradio941.com 
• Live Video: http://www.nsuspartans.com/showcase (Requires subscription)
• Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/football 
• Twitter Updates: @NSUSpartans

QUICK HITS FROM BUFFALO
• The loss was NSU's ninth straight non-conference defeat dating to a 31-24 win over Liberty on Sept. 8, 2012.
• The 68-yard TD pass from Ervin to White was NSU's longest play of the season to date.
• LG Daniel Oladimeji earned his first career start.
• ILB Marcell Coke had a season-high 12 tackles.
• NSU dropped to 0-7 all-time against Division I FBS teams