NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State football team (2-2) looks to secure its third win a row this week but must do so against an old rival, as the Spartans and Hampton Pirates (2-1) renew the Battle of the Bay at HU's Armstrong Stadium. Kickoff is 2 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and on Blazin' Hot 91.1 FM.
 
QUICK HITS
• Juwan Carter passed for two touchdowns and ran for another to help NSU overcome a 10-7 halftime deficit in a 28-16 win at St. Francis (Pa.) last week.
• The Spartans rushed for 323 yards and forced three turnovers in the win, outscoring SFU 21-6 in the second half.
• J.J. Davis rushed for 93 yards to lead NSU's potent ground attack.
• The win was NSU's first Division I win against a non-MEAC team since winning at Liberty in 2012.
 
SERIES HISTORY
• This marks the first meeting between NSU and Hampton since 2017, the Pirates' last year in the MEAC before departing for the Big South.
• The teams have met 55 times previously, with the series tied 26-26-1 (two NSU wins vacated).
• Hampton won the last meeting, 16-14, at Dick Price Stadium in 2017. The Spartans won the last meeting in Hampton, 17-10, in 2016.
 
GROUND AND POUND
• NSU has rushed for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games for the first time since the last two games of the 2010 season.
• The Spartans ran for 322 yards against ECSU and a season-high 323 last week.
• NSU currently leads the MEAC and ranks 13th in the FCS with 233.2 rushing yards per game, one spot behind Hampton (243.3) in the national rankings.
• Five Spartans rank in the top 10 in the MEAC in rushing, with J.J. Davis leading the league with 74.2 ypg.
 
NSU IN WEEKLY MEAC HONORS
NSU has dominated the MEAC weekly football awards the last three weeks, winning a combined eight for performances against Wake Forest, Elizabeth City State and St. Francis.
• NSU quarterback Juwan Carter was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week after the Wake and ECSU games, throwing for a combined seven touchdowns in the two games (five vs. ECSU, a career high).
• LG Jalen Powell (Wake), C Colby Byrd (ECSU) and RG Justin Redd (SFU) have won the last three Offensive Lineman of the Week awards.
• RB J.J. Davis was named MEAC Rookie of the Week the last two weeks: after rushing eight times for 121 yards and two touchdowns (including a 72-yarder) vs. ECSU, and rushing 14 times for 93 yards vs. SFU.
• DL Chris Myers was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week after the ECSU win after registering two of NSU's eight sacks and helping hold the Vikings to negative-49 rushing yards.
 
ONE FOR THE BOOKS
Here's a look at records NSU set in NSU's win over Elizabeth City State. Marks are overall school records unless noted as Division I only:
• Total offensive yards (675)
• 63 points (school Division I era record)
• Fewest rushing yards allow (-49)
• First downs (38, ties school record)
• Juwan Carter 5 TD passes (ties school D-I record)
• 8 total sacks (ties school D-I record)
• Josh Nardone 9 PAT
 
SCOUTING THE PIRATES
• Hampton was off last week following a 48-32 win at Howard on Sept. 18 which ran the Pirates' record to 2-1 on the year.
• Hampton opened the year with a 42-28 win over Virginia Union before losing 47-7 at ODU.
• Running backs Darran Butts and Elijah Burris have run for a combined 508 yards and six TDs.
• Jett Duffey is averaging 208 ypg passing with five TDs.
• Hampton was picked seventh in the preseason Big South Conference poll.
 
CHASING THE SPARROW
NSU quarterback Juwan Carter is closing in on several longstanding school records held by former Division II All-American and AFL star quarterback Aaron Sparrow. Here's a look:

Category	Sparrow	Carter	Needed for 1st Place
Passing Yards	8,758	7,535	1,224
Total Offense	8,301	8,264	38
Completions	617	613	5
Pass Attempts	1,119	1,060	60
Passing TDs	79	59	21