BALTIMORE, Md. – Following arguably the team's most important victory of the 2024 campaign, Norfolk State looks to keep the momentum going this week in a road bout at Morgan State on Saturday.
Slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Nov. 2, the Spartans (3-6, 1-1 MEAC) can keep their Celebration Bowl hopes alive with a win over the Bears (3-5, 0-1). A victory would move Norfolk State into a tie for second place in the conference with two games remaining.
NSU produced a thrilling result for a sold-out Homecoming audience last weekend, defeating Howard 21-20 at William "Dick" Price Stadium.
Kevon King led the Spartans on the ground with 78 yards on 17 carries, scoring the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
"We had a great supporting crowd, the alumni really showed up," head coach
Dawson Odums said. "The best way to welcome them back is with a victory on Saturday, and these assistant coaches and players did an outstanding job."
Norfolk State tailback
Jaylen White shifted the momentum against the Bison, returning a kickoff 97-yards to the end zone for the Spartans' first score of the afternoon. Becoming the first Spartan to record a kickoff return touchdown since Marcus Taylor in 2017, White earned MEAC Specialist of the Week honors for his performance.
Saturday's game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Phil Schoener and Emory Hunt on the call. Ross Gordon will provide radio coverage as well on WNSB 91.1 FM.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE
- Norfolk State improved to 3-6 this past weekend following a 21-20 win against Howard
- Jaylen White earned MEAC Specialist of the Week Honors after returning a kickoff for 97 yards, marking the Spartans' first kick return touchdown since Sep. 16, 2017 and the only kickoff return for touchdown in the MEAC this season
- The NSU football team earned HBCU+ FCS National Team of the Week honors by Stats Perform, following the win against Howard
- The Spartans lead the MEAC and rank sixth in FCS with 11 interceptions
- NSU has intercepted three passes in a single game three times this season (at ECU 8/31, at VMI 9/21, vs. Towson 10/12)
- Defensively, AJ Richardson leads the MEAC with 84 total tackles, including 23 solo tackles
- Quarterback Jalen Daniels ranks fifth in the MEAC in total offense, averaging 134.0 yards per game
ABOUT MORGAN STATE
- Morgan State fell to 3-5 last week following a 16-7 loss to North Carolina Central
Senior Elijah Williams leads the team and the MEAC in sacks this season with eight
- The Bears rank first in the MEAC defensively allowing just 17.5 points and 285.6 yards per game
Morgan State averages 13.3 yards per punt return which leads the MEAC
- The Bears have forced a conference-leading 10 fumbles this season
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.
