NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State football team comes into this Saturday's matchup with unlimited motivation, facing Commonwealth rival Virginia State at 4 p.m. in William "Dick" Price Stadium.
The Spartans (0-2) seek their first win of the 2024 campaign when the Trojans (1-0) come to town for the "Battle of the States", sponsored by State Farm and presented by Gateway.
Norfolk State aims to bounce back from a heartbreaking finish in the previous year's matchup between the rival programs, in which Virginia State escaped with a 33-24 victory on the Spartans' home turf.
NSU dropped to 0-2 last week following a 42-3 loss at East Carolina, despite a defensive performance that forced six opposing turnovers. Defensive back
Terron Mallory came away with two interceptions – occurring on back-to-back possessions – while
Ricky Harleston also picked off a pass.
Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with radio coverage on WNSB 91.1 FM.
ABOUT THE GAME
- Virginia State holds the All-Time Series lead 31-22-2
- Saturday's matchup is dubbed the Battle of the States
- Last year, Virginia State defeated Norfolk State 33-24
- Norfolk State is 7-2 over Virginia State in the last nine meetings between the schools
- Norfolk State head coach Dawson Odums is in his fourth season
- Virginia State enters its third season of head coach Dr. Henry Frazier, III tenure.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE
- Norfolk State dropped to 0-2 last week following a 42-3 loss at East Carolina
- The Spartans led the MEAC in average home attendance in 2023, attracting 15,649 fans per game at Dick Price Stadium
- The Spartan defense forced six turnovers in the loss to East Carolina.
- Spartan defensive back Terron Mallory intercepted two passes last week, while Ricky Harleston picked off one. Mallory was named Jim Thorpe Award HBCU Defensive Back of the Week after his performance
- Through two games, the NSU defense has recovered four fumbles and recorded three interceptions
- Kevon King is the leading rusher for the Spartans, recording 172 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. He also averages 9.1 yards per carry.
ABOUT VIRGINIA STATE
- Virginia State enters Saturday 1-0 on the year after a 21-7 win over Benedict College in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Game played in Canton, Ohio.
- The Trojans finished 8-2 last season.
- Virginia State returned all starting defensive linemen from last season.
- Virginia State claimed its first win over Norfolk State last season since 2017.
