After months of relentless sacrifice and development behind the scenes, the Norfolk State football team will open the 2024 season in a stark contrast: the primetime spotlight of a nationally televised audience.

The Spartans kick off the fourth campaign of head coach Dawson Odum’s tenure on Saturday night against Florida A&M – the 18th edition of the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Airing on ABC at 7:30 p.m., the matchup marks Odum’s first showdown against the conference he once conquered at his previous institution, Southern.

Leading the MEAC with 13 preseason all-conference selections, NSU appears poised to build on a 2023 season full of ups and downs. While Norfolk State’s breakthrough victories included a rivalry win at Hampton and gutsy triumph at Towson, four of the Spartans’ losses came by a single possession.

Armed with talent on both sides of the ball, Norfolk State has the tools and the discipline to flip the script in those tight games this time around.

“We understand the magnitude of the environment we’re about to enter, and you have to stay calm to focus on the moment,” Odums said. “That’s one of the biggest things we talked about this offseason: being better in the moment.”

Starting with the secondary, the Spartans return All-MEAC cornerback Devon Allen and Aeneas Williams Award Semifinalist Terron Mallory to patrol opposing airwaves. Throw their way at your own risk – Allen led the MEAC in pass breakups last year, while Mallory became the first player in Norfolk State’s Division I history to intercept three passes in a single game.

Linebacker AJ Richardson took the conference by storm as a freshman in 2023, racking up a team-best 69 tackles, including 41 solo stops and 2.0 sacks. Richardson and fellow King’s Mountain alumnus Samuel Eskridge picked up FCS Football Central Freshman All-American honors at the season’s conclusion.

“AJ is our signal caller,” Odums said. “He’s going to get us lined up, get us in the right defense, make the right checks, make the right call. He loves playing football.”

On the offensive end, Oscar Smith product Kevon King leads a talented room of running backs. The group became deeper with the addition of two highly touted transfers: Kiron Benjamin (East Mississippi CC) and Fonnae Webb (Richmond). 

“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we’ve added some depth so we can endure a season,” Odums said. “We’re excited with where we are.”

Odums announced the Spartans’ starting quarterback for the season opener during his press conference on Sunday afternoon: Garden City transfer Jalen Daniels. After spending one year at South Carolina, Daniels racked up 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns through the air in nine games at GCCC.

The quarterback will have no shortage of weapons to target in the passing game. In addition to returning standouts Aaron Moore and Ikeem Wright, the Spartans added explosive threats Jacquez Jones (Lane College) and Kam’Ryn Thomas (Dodge City CC). Jones amassed over 1,800 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in three years at Lane.

As the Spartans have prepared for their first debut, they have embraced the mindsets and themes that Coach Odums has employed throughout the offseason. It’s brought forward a sense of confidence that his players cannot wait to put on display.

“He always instills having that 1-0 mentality,” Allen said. “He tells us to be present in the moment. Don’t worry too much about the future or the past, just be where your feet are at.”

Saturday will provide the ultimate test: a showdown against the defending Celebration Bowl champion Florida A&M.

“When you talk about Saturday night college football, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Odums said. “We have a chance for people to see our institution, the tradition, and the passion we have in Norfolk, Virginia. We feel like we have a really good football program to get excited about.”