NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State football team looks to get back in the win column this weekend in front of what is expected to be a packed William "Dick" Price Stadium on Saturday, as the Spartans (2-5, 0-1 MEAC) face Morgan State (1-5, 0-1) for Homecoming at 2 p.m.
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Norfolk State has dropped its last three games, each by the slimmest of margins. Of the Spartans' five losses this season, four have been by seven points or less.
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The most recent result was a 27-23 loss at Howard last Saturday, with the Bison scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the game's final minutes. Norfolk State had 358 total yards of offense that day, with 218 yards through the air and 140 yards on the ground.
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Grandin Willcox was named MEAC Specialist of the Week for his tremendous performance against the Bison, knocking down all three of his field goal attempts and both PATs. He drilled a 50-yarder in the fourth quarter, his career long and one yard shy of tying Norfolk State's school record.
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Morgan State opened the season with a road victory over Richmond, but have lost five straight since. Running back
J.J. Davis, a transfer from Norfolk State, leads the Bears with 214 yards on the ground this year, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
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Saturday's game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Norfolk State will broadcast the game on Hot 91.1 FM (WNSB) with Ross Gordon and Woube Gebre calling the action.
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"Sacrifice is the word of the week, I told our guys that," NSU head coach
Dawson Odums said. "We've got homecoming, a lot of distractions and a lot of things going on, but you've gotta lock in. We have to be really good with our execution and have a really good gameplan."

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About The Game
- Norfolk State holds a 21-12 lead in the all-time series between the schools
- Saturday's game is Homecoming at Norfolk State
- Norfolk State returns to action on Saturday coming off a 27-23 loss at Howard
- Morgan State is coming off a 16-10 loss at North Carolina Central
- Norfolk State head coach Dawson Odums is in his third season
- Morgan State head coach Damon Wilson is in his second year at MSU
About Norfolk State
- The Spartans lost 27-23 at Howard on Saturday, Oct. 21
- After trailing 20-12 in the fourth quarter, Howard closed the game by scoring 15 consecutive points, including the go-ahead touchdown with just over a minute remaining on the clock
- Both of NSU's victories this season have come against members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
- Quarterback Otto Kuhns completed 16-of-26 passes against Howard for 218 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, adding 26 yards on the ground
- NSU placekicker Grandin Willcox was named MEAC Specialist of the Week after knocking down all three of his field goal attempts and both PATs against Howard
- The Spartans were chosen to finish fifth in the MEAC predicted order of finish
About Morgan State
- Morgan State comes into Saturday's game with a 1-5 record, its lone win coming at Richmond in the team's season opener
- The Bears last 17-10 to NCCU last week, giving up 16 consecutive points after holding a 3-0 halftime lead
- Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter led the Bears with 11 tackles against NCCU, adding one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup
- The Bears are averaging 238.0 yards of offense and 13.0 points per game