| NORFOLK STATE [2-3] vs. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL [2-2] |
| Date / Time |
Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 3 p.m |
| Location |
Indianapolis, Ind. | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Tickets |
Purchase Tickets Here |
| TV / Streaming |
ESPN+ |
| Radio |
Hot 91.1 FM (WNSB) | Sirius XM (Channel 385) |
| Live Stats |
TBA |
| Norfolk State |
Game Notes |
| North Carolina Central |
Game Notes |
| All-Time Series |
NCCU Leads 13-7 |
| First Meeting |
NCCU 27, Norfolk State 21 [1981] |
| Last Meeting |
NCCU 38, Norfolk State 24 [2023] |
| Longest Series Winning Streak |
NCCU, 4 |
| Current Winning Streak |
NCCU - 3 |
| Social Media |
Twitter - X | Instagram | Facebook |
INDIANAPOLIS,
Ind. – Coming off the team's strongest performance of the season, Norfolk State opens conference play in a highly anticipated neutral-site showdown this weekend.
The Spartans (2-3) take on North Carolina Central (2-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the 40
th Annual Circle City Classic.
The event started as a marquee football game in 1984, developing into a multi-day cultural celebration that showcases the athletic talents of HBCU teams.
Playing in the home stadium of the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday will mark Norfolk State's third matchup of the past two seasons in an NFL venue. NSU faced two road opponents in NFL stadiums in 2023: Temple (Lincoln Financial Field) and Tennessee State (Nissan Stadium).
The Spartans took down VMI 32-10 in opposing territory last week, tallying five touchdowns and intercepting three passes. Quarterback
Jalen Daniels led the Spartans offensively, throwing for 277 yards and three touchdowns, while
Daylan Long became the first Norfolk State player to record a pick-six since 2019 on the path to a MEAC Defensive Player of the Week nod.
Like the Spartans, North Carolina Central enters Saturday's battle after a breakthrough performance. The Eagles got back in the win column emphatically following two consecutive losses, dominating in-state rival North Carolina A&T 66-24 at O'Kelly Riddick Stadium.
The 40
th Annual Circle City Classic will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker on the call. Ross Gordon will provide radio coverage on WNSB 91.1 FM.
ABOUT THE GAME
- Saturday's matchup marks the 40th Annual Circle City Classic football game
- Norfolk State will make its first appearance in the Circle City Classic, while North Carolina Central will make its third appearance in the game
- In last years meeting, NCCU topped NSU 38-24 in Durham, N.C.
- North Carolina Central has won the last three meetings against Norfolk State
- Norfolk State head coach Dawson Odums is in his fourth season
- North Carolina Central had coach Trei Oliver is in his fifth season
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE
- Norfolk State improved to 2-3 on the season, following a road win against VMI 32-10
- The Spartans lead the MEAC with seven total inteceptions
- NSU has recorded three intercptions in a single game twice this season (at ECU 8/31, at VMI 9/21)
- Daylan Long's third quarter pick-six last week marked Norfolk State's first since Bobby Price returned an interception for a touchdown at Delaware State on Nov. 16, 2019
- Defensively, AJ Richardson ranks second in the MEAC with 38 total tackles that includes 12 solo tackles
- Graduate wideout Jacquez Jones ranks first in the MEAC in receiving yards (331) and receiving touchdowns (3)
- Kevon King leads the MEAC in rushing yards with 381 and sits second in rushing touchdowns with four
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
- North Carolina Central is 2-2 on the season following a 66-24 win against North Carolina A&T
- The 66 points the Eagles put up last week are tied for the most in a game by an FCS school this season
- J'Mari Taylor ranks first in the MEAC with six rushing touchdowns and second in yards with 381.
- Joaquin Davis ranks second in the MEAC in both receiving yards (228) and receiving touchdowns (2)
