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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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
