NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 20, 2025 – Norfolk State mounted a late fourth-quarter rally to pull within three of Sacred Heart, but a missed field goal in the closing seconds sealed a 31-28 setback for the Spartans.
Quarterback Otto Kuhns led the way offensively with 340 passing yards and a touchdown. Both J.J. Evans (113 yards) and Kam'ryn Thomas (112 yards) surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark, while Kevon King added 72 rushing yards and a touchdown. X'Zavion Evans contributed 60 yards on the ground with two scores.
On defense, Major Dillard tallied a team-high 12 tackles, and Khalib Gilmore followed with 10 stops to anchor the Spartan unit.
The Pioneers opened the game with a 75-yard scoring drive in just over four minutes, capped by Jack Snyder's 18-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.
Norfolk State answered immediately, marching 75 yards in 14 plays. X'Zavion Evans tied the game at 7-7 with an 18-yard touchdown run, highlighted by a 32-yard connection from Otto Kuhns to JJ Evans that converted a 1st-and-25.
Early in the second quarter, Evans found the end zone again on a 7-yard run to give NSU its first lead, 14-7. The Pioneers capitalized on Spartan miscues soon after, however, scoring on a 28-yard fumble return by Trey Eberhart III to tie the game at 14. Sacred Heart regained the lead just before halftime with a quick 29-yard drive in the final minute, finished by a 22-yard touchdown from Mitchell Summers for a 21-14 edge at the break.
NSU's two-minute drill before halftime produced several big plays, including receptions of 19 and 20 yards by Jaylen Laudermilk, 15 yards to Taron Biles-Walker, and 13 yards to Kam'ryn Thomas. However, the Spartans' 42-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right as the half expired.
The third quarter remained scoreless until Sacred Heart converted a 19-yard field goal with 2:04 left to stretch the margin to 24-14.
Norfolk State cut the deficit early in the fourth, as Kevon King broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run to make it 24-21 with 11:40 remaining. The Pioneers quickly responded, capitalizing on another NSU fumble with a short scoring drive to push their lead back to 31-21 with 5:32 on the clock.
The Spartans refused to go away, storming 74 yards in just 1:36 on their next possession. Kuhns connected with Kam'ryn Thomas for 17 yards before finding DreSean Kendrick on a 29-yard touchdown strike, trimming the deficit to 31-28.
Norfolk State's defense came up big, forcing a turnover on downs and giving the offense one last chance. The Spartans drove to the Sacred Heart 29-yard line, setting up a potential game-tying 42-yard field goal. But the kick drifted wide right as time expired, allowing the Pioneers to escape with the 31-28 win.
The Spartans hit the road next weekend, traveling to Staten Island, N.Y., to face the Wagner Seahawks on Saturday, Sept. 27. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m., with live coverage available on NEC Front Row.
