NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State football team returns to action at 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, when they travel to face Wagner College at Hameline Field in Staten Island, N.Y.
The Spartans (1-3) look for their second win of the season under first year Head Coach Michael Vick. The Seahawks, 0-4, are still searching for their first win of the 2025 campaign in this first ever meeting between the two programs.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE
Norfolk State enters Saturday's contest looking for its first road victory of the 2025 season, and its first since Sept. 21, 2024, when the Spartans defeated VMI 32-10 in Lexington, Va. Last weekend, NSU came up just short in a 31-28 setback to Sacred Heart at William "Dick" Price Stadium.
Quarterback Otto Kuhns powered the offense with 340 passing yards and one touchdown, while adding 21 yards on the ground. Wide receivers J.J. Evans (113 yards) and Kam'Ryn King (112 yards) both surpassed the century mark through the air, while the backfield duo of
Kevon King (72 yards, one TD) and
X'Zavion Evans (60 yards, two TDs) provided balance on the ground.
On defense, Major Dillard led the way with 12 tackles, including five solo stops, while Khalib Gilmore added 10 tackles, also recording five solos.
NSU leads the nation in blocked kicks (4) with Dillard, Makal Frisby, Jaylan Williams, and
Ricardo Underwood each contributing one. The Spartans also rank fourth nationally in blocked punts (1) and 11th in kickoff return defense (13.77 yards per return).
ABOUT WAGNER
Wagner enters Saturday's matchup still searching for its first win of the season, sitting at 0-4 following a 49-10 setback at Central Michigan last week. The Seahawks' most recent victory came nearly a year ago, a 14-0 shutout over Saint Francis on Oct. 19, 2024.
Defensive back Austin Bailey provided Wagner's lone touchdown against CMU, returning a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks also forced two other turnovers, with Alim Parks and Eli Hiscock each recording a forced fumble.
Offensively, Wagner has leaned on its ground game, averaging 134.0 rushing yards per contest, led by Andre Hines Jr., who has totaled 173 yards and two touchdowns this season. The passing attack has struggled to find consistency, averaging just 81.0 yards per game through the air.
On the defensive side, the Seahawks have shown flashes of playmaking ability, ranking eighth nationally in defensive touchdowns (1) and 12th in recovered fumbles (4).
ABOUT THE GAME
- Saturday's matchup marks the first meeting between the two schools
- The game will be the second road game under head coach Michael Vick
- NSU head coach Michael Vick is in his first season as head coach
- Wagner head coach Tom Masella enters his sixth season as head coach
UP NEXT
Norfolk State continues its three-game road swing next weekend with the annual "Battle of the Bay" rivalry showdown against Hampton University on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. in Hampton, Va.
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