NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State (1-2) finishes its non-conference schedule this Saturday with a first-ever meeting against Montana State (2-1). Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET from Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. 

The Spartans are coming off their second loss to a Division I FBS team this year, a 46-7 setback at Coastal Carolina last week. This marks NSU's first game this year against an FCS opponent, after two FBS foes (ODU, CCU) and a Division II opponent (Virginia State).

Montana State is 2-1 and ranked No. 8 in the STATS FCS Poll and No. 14 in the FCS Coaches Poll after a 23-14 win at Western Illinois last Saturday.

SERIES HISTORY/NOTES
• This will be the first meeting in the schools' history. 
• It will also be NSU's first-ever meeting against a Big Sky opponent.
• Likewise, Montana State has never faced a team from the MEAC - or state of Virginia - previously.
• This is NSU's first time playing outside of the Eastern time zone since playing in the 2001 Gold Coast Classic in San Diego, Calif., against Delaware State.

NSU BY THE NUMBERS
8 - Number of Spartans who have caught a TD pass this season. No Spartan has more than one.
4,587 - Quarterback Juwan Carter moved into second place in school history in career passing yards, with 4,587, in last week's loss at Coastal Carolina.
401/42 - Number of rushing yards allowed and gained by NSU, respectively, in the loss at CCU.
100% - The Spartans remain perfect on the season in scoring inside the opponent's red zone, with eight scores in eight trips.

A WIN OVER MSU WOULD...
A win this week over MSU would...
• Give NSU its first-ever win over a Big Sky Conference team.
• Give the Spartans a .500 non-conference record.
• Be just NSU's fifth ever against a nationally-ranked FCS team (more below).

NSU VS. RANKED TEAMS
NSU is 4-31 all-time against teams ranked in the STATS FCS (formerly Sports Network) Top 25 poll. The Spartans were 0-2 in such games last year, with losses to then No.2 James Madison and No. 17 North Carolina A&T. NSU's last win over a ranked team was a 28-21 win over No. 25 N.C. Central on Oct. 21, 2017.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Montana State is 2-1 on the season after a 23-14 win at Western Illinois last Saturday. Logan Jones ran 21 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns, including an 87-yarder, in the win. The Bobcats, whose only loss was to Texas Tech (45-10) on Aug. 31, are ranked 8th in the STATS FCS Poll and 14th in the FCS Coaches Poll this week. MSU, which went 8-5 last year and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs, was picked to finish fourth in the Big Sky by the league's media and fifth by the coaches.

Junior Troy Andersen, who plays running back and linebacker, was a STATS FCS Preseason All-America first-team selection. Offensive tackle Mitch Brott and defensive end Bryce Sterk were third-team selections.