NORFOLK, Va. - The Spartan football team (0-1) plays its 2019 home opener this Saturday when it hosts old CIAA rival Virginia State in the Atlantic Union Bank "Battle of the States." Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.
 
The Spartans are coming off a narrow 24-21 defeat at the hands of Old Dominion last week to open the 2019 season. This week's game is the season opener for the Trojans.
 
This marks the 53rd all-time meeting between the two schools. Traditionally, the teams have met on Labor Day weekend - this is the first time since 2010 the teams are playing on a day other than the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
 
SERIES HISTORY
• VSU holds a 27-21-1 series edge, with three NSU wins vacated.
• Norfolk State College used to be a part of the Virginia State University system. NSC teams were known as "Little State" and "Baby Trojans" and even wore blue and orange like VSU's teams.
• The Norfolk Division (now NSU) achieved its independence in 1969. In Greek mythology, the Spartans were a warlike people who were enemies of the Trojans, leading NSU to adopt its current nickname.
• NSU head coach Latrell Scott (2013-14) and associate head coach Andrew Faison (2002-12) are both former VSU head coaches.
 
LAST MEETING
• In their last meeting, Aaron Savage tied his career high with 112 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns, and Norfolk State pulled away for a 34-13 win on Sept. 1, 2018 at Dick Price Stadium.
• Savage caught a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first half and helped seal the game with a 19-yard TD run in the fourth quarter for the Spartans, who outscored the Trojans 17-0 in the fourth quarter to break the game open.
• NSU held VSU to 267 yards of total offense.
 
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.
 
NSU BY THE NUMBERS
6 - Number of offensive linemen on NSU's roster with 10+ career starts.
101 - Number of receiving yards for Da'Kendall James last week in his NSU debut, including a 57-yard TD reception.
204 - Number of passing yards Juwan Carter needs to pass Chris Walley for second all-time in program history.
 
A WIN OVER VSU WOULD...
A win this week over VSU would...
• Even NSU's record at 1-1 on the year heading into two more road non-conference games.
• Be the Spartans' second in a row in the series.
 
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
Virginia State is coming off a 4-5 year in 2018, the Trojans' first losing record since 2012. VSU did manage a 4-3 record against the CIAA, but ended the season with consecutive league losses.
 
VSU figures to again be led by dual-threat quarterback Cordelral Cook. As a junior in 2018, Cook passed for 1,893 yards and 16 touchdowns, while rushing for 685 and another 11 scores. VSU averaged 30.7 points and 401.9 yards per game last year.
 
Offensive lineman Frank Ball was the lone Trojan named to the preseason All-CIAA team. VSU was picked to finish fourth in the CIAA's Northern Division in the league's preseason poll.