NORFOLK, Va. - The Spartans begin a tough two-game road stretch to end non-conference play with a matchup with Coastal Carolina University this Saturday. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 streaming, and also on WNSB Hot 91.1 FM.
 
 This marks NSU's second game against a Division I FBS program this year, following the season-opening 24-21 loss at Old Dominion. The teams have never met before.
 
SERIES HISTORY
• This will be the first meeting in the schools' history. Both played at the Division I FCS level for many years, with Coastal Carolina being a former Big South Conference power, but the teams have never crossed paths.
• NSU has also never faced a team from the Sun Belt Conference previously.
• The Spartans are 0-12 all-time against Division I FBS teams, with the ODU loss two weeks ago the closest game NSU has ever played against the larger division.
 
NSU BY THE NUMBERS
4th - Quarterback Juwan Carter is tied for fourth nationally (Division I FCS) with six touchdown passes through two games.
5 - Number of Spartans who caught their first career TD pass in last week's win over Virginia State - Kevin Johnson, Tremayne Talbert, Gerald Hulett, Marcque Ellington and Tylan McElhenie.
7 - Number of Spartans who have caught a TD pass this season. No Spartan has more than one.
2008 - The last time NSU forced six turnovers in a game before last week's win over VSU.
 
WEEKLY HONORS
Two Spartans earned MEAC weekly honors following the win over Virginia State:
• QB Juwan Carter was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. He passed for 203 yards, rushed for 30 and threw four TD passes in just under three quarters of work.
• RB Kevin Johnson was tabbed Rookie of the Week. He amassed 82 all-purpose yards and scored on a 33-yard TD reception.
 
A WIN OVER CCU WOULD...
A win this week over CCU would...
• Give NSU its first-ever win over an FBS team in 13 tries.
• Guarantee the Spartans no worse than a .500 non-conference record.
• Be NSU's third in a row against teams from South Carolina. The Spartans also have a current two-game win streak against S.C. State.
 
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
The Spartans were picked to finish seventh in the MEAC this season in the preseason poll of league head coaches and sports information directors. Spartan linebacker Nigel Chavis, defensive backs Bobby Price and Nhyre' Quinerly, and offensive lineman Kenneth Kirby were voted to the preseason All-MEAC second team. Tight end Anthony Williams and running back Aaron Savage were voted to the third team. More information can be found on page 4.
 
SCOUTING THE CHANTICLEERS
Coastal Carolina earned its first-ever win over a "Power 5" conference football team when it knocked off Kansas 12-7 last Saturday in Lawrence, Kan. The Chanticleers held the Jayhawks to 280 yards of total offense and kept the hosts off the scoreboard for the final 56:32 of game action.
 
C.J. Marable led CCU with 148 rushing yards and scored both of the team's touchdowns, on a 20-yard reception from Fred Payton and an 8-yard run.
 
Chandler Kryst recorded two interceptions for the Chanticleer defense, which held KU without a conversion on three fourth-down attempts.