NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State football concludes non-conference action this weekend with a road matchup against the Wofford Terriers on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Orangeburg, S.C. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
PRE-GAME NOTES
- Norfolk State (1-5) looks to capture its second win of the season—and first road victory—under head coach Michael Vick.
- The Spartans tied their season-high for points scored with 34 in last week's matchup at Hampton.
- Saturday's contest marks the third consecutive road game for NSU, as the Spartans head into their bye week on Oct. 18.
- Wofford (0-5) is searching for its first victory of the season under head coach Shawn Watson, returning home for the second game of a three-game homestand and celebrating its 80th Homecoming.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE
Last Time Out
Norfolk State enters the contest following a 41-34 loss to Hampton in the 64th edition of the Battle of the Bay on Oct. 4. The Spartans jumped out to an early lead before the Pirates rallied before halftime to take a 27-21 advantage they would not relinquish.
Otto Kuhns led the passing attack with 242 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-25 completions. DreSean Kendrick hauled in two receptions for a team-high 120 yards and one score, while X'Zavion Evans rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
Defensively, Daylan Long and Terique Miles led the team with nine tackles apiece, with Long adding an interception.
Inside the Stats
- Kuhns has thrown for 1,186 yards and six touchdowns, completing 99-of-161 attempts. He also ranks third on the team in rushing (143 yds).
- Kendrick leads the receiving corps with 451 yards and three touchdowns on 31 catches, recording 100+ yards twice this season (Towson, Hampton).
- Evans leads the ground game with 283 rushing yards and four touchdowns, just ahead of Kevon King (279 yds, 3 TDs).
- Major Dillard anchors the defense with 42 tackles (18 solo). Miles (34), Ty Jones (33), and Khalib Gilmore (32) round out a balanced group. Corey Chapman, the Sept. 29 MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, has 29 tackles and an interception.
- On special teams, Jaylen White leads in kickoff return yards (162), while Jaylan Laudermilk has 33 punt return yards.
As a team, the Spartans rank among the FCS national leaders in several categories:
- 1st in Blocked Kicks (5)
- 8th in Blocked Punts (1)
- 17th in First Down Offense (127)
- 20th in Kickoff Return Defense (16.58 yds/return)
ABOUT WOFFORD
Last Time Out
Wofford enters the matchup 0-5 (0-2 SoCon) after a narrow 23-21 loss to Western Carolina.
Quarterback Jayden Whitaker threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-18 passing, while Ivory Aikens led the receivers with three catches for 97 yards and a score.
Inside the Season
- Four of Wofford's five losses have been decided by one score or less, including three by three points or fewer.
- Whitaker has thrown for 469 yards and three touchdowns, while fellow quarterback Ethan Drumm has added 287 yards and two scores.
- Ihson Jackson-Anderson leads the rushing attack (215 yds).
- Aikens leads in receiving (278 yds, 2 TDs).
- Eli Campbell paces the defense with 42 tackles (25 solo), followed by Jalen Rambert with 38.
- The Terriers rank third nationally in punt returns (20.75 yds), fourth in tackles for loss (8.4 per game), seventh in kickoff returns (27.33 yds), and 13th in blocked kicks (2).
ABOUT THE GAME
- Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Norfolk State and Wofford.
- It will be the fourth road game under head coach Michael Vick.
- Vick is in his first season at the helm of the Spartans.
- Wofford's Shawn Watson is in his fourth season leading the Terriers.
UP NEXT
The Spartans will enjoy a bye week before kicking off MEAC play on Saturday, Oct. 25, hosting defending MEAC Champion South Carolina State for Homecoming at William "Dick" Price Stadium.
