NORFOLK, Va. | As temperatures reached well above 90 degrees in Hampton Roads, the Norfolk State University football team continued its journey through fall camp as the Spartans wrapped up their second week, which included a scrimmage.
NSU practiced Monday and Tuesday on its practice field, which is a grass surface, as the area experienced heat advisories.
Saturday saw the Spartans hold their first scrimmage of the fall and head coach Dawson Odums was pleased with the outcome as Norfolk State prepares for its season opener and home opener on Sept. 2 in the annual Labor Day Classic against Virginia State.
"I thought the command of the offense was there," Odums said. "We had three quarterbacks in there that rotated in and out and they had good command. I thought we moved the ball and when we had a bad play, we were able to handle our emotions, which is big at the quarterback play, and we took some steps forward on that.
"I thought our offensive line played above average and did some good things. The key is to keep them healthy and make sure we get to the gate (first game) safely. At wide receiver, Aaron Moore stood out. He had about two catches for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns and is very explosive. I think overall, the communication and attention to detail, getting in and out of the huddle, the operational part, I thought all those things were good."
Odums said the defense was able to create some turnovers, along with pursuing the football and stopping the ball in the ground game. In addition, he said overall it was a good competitive team scrimmage and was able to get through it without any injuries.
One of the biggest questions during fall camp is who will start at quarterback when the team takes the field against the Trojans.
"I think after this week and the scrimmage, I think it will confirm what we thought," Odums said. "Now can that be consistent and that comes with doing it every day. We feel like we know who that guy is now and can that guy take a pretty good scrimmage and carry that into the next week."
The Spartans will hold their final scrimmage on Friday and close out fall camp on Saturday with a practice at William "Dick" Price Stadium. After the conclusion of Saturday's practice, the team will hold Fan Day inside the stadium approximately at 11 a.m.
Norfolk State opens the season at home on Sept. 2 against Virginia State and concludes the first month of the season at Dick Price Stadium on Sept. 30 versus North Carolina A&T State. The Spartans' homecoming game is Oct. 28 against Morgan State and the team concludes the regular season on Nov. 18 versus South Carolina State.
All home games are scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
Tickets for the upcoming season are now on sale and can be purchased through the NSU Ticket Office at: NSUSpartansTickets.UniversityTickets.com or by visiting the ticket office Monday-Friday (9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
For complete coverage of Norfolk State athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @NSUSpartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
