Saturday, Oct. 24 | 1:30 p.m. | Oliver C. Dawson Stadium | Orangeburg, S.C. | Broadcast: ESPN+ | South Carolina State Homecoming
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Norfolk State opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon at South Carolina State, the league's two-time defending champion, in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Both teams arrive off an open date. Both arrive off very different Octobers.
It is also the third consecutive Homecoming game on Norfolk State's schedule this month — after playing Robert Morris' Homecoming on Oct. 3 and hosting its own on Oct. 10, the Spartans now walk into South Carolina State's with the goal to spoil the Bulldogs party.
About the Spartans
Norfolk State (4-3) comes out of the bye off the most complete performance of the season.
The Spartans shut out Virginia-Lynchburg 62-0 on Oct. 10 before a Homecoming crowd of 48,357 — a school record, surpassing the 47,273 who watched last year's Homecoming at William "Dick" Price Stadium. It was Norfolk State's second shutout of the season and left the Spartans 3-0 at home.
Four of Norfolk State's nine touchdowns came from the defense and special teams. Nasir Bashir returned an interception 12 yards for a score and Kaleb Broadbent took another back 39 yards, both in a 34-point second quarter. Christian James returned one punt for a touchdown, while a Quintin Goins blocked punt led way to a Michael Jones recovery for a nine yard touchdown. The Spartans intercepted four passes, recovered two fumbles and held the Dragons to 48 rushing yards.
The special teams and takeaway formula has carried the season. Norfolk State leads the MEAC in interceptions, punt returns and time of possession, and ranks second in the conference in total defense, rushing defense, rushing offense and passing yards allowed. Jason Wonodi has already returned two punts for touchdowns this season.
Up front. Fifth-year center Tyler Leinberger has been one of the best offensive linemen in the subdivision. His 79.5 offensive blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranks sixth among all FCS offensive linemen and second among FCS centers, and leads every offensive lineman in the MEAC. His 85.4 pass-blocking grade is his strongest mark and the second-best among the top six linemen in the FCS.
Leinberger also earned midseason All-America recognition from Phil Steele, which listed him among the top centers in the country.
Saturday is a significant step up. South Carolina State has not lost a conference game in nearly three years.
At quarterback. Vick said this week that Da'Jean Golmond will start Saturday, with Deljay Bailey backing him up after returning from a shoulder injury. "I'm going with Da'Jean since he's been playing well," Vick said. "I don't think it's fair to him, the way he's been playing, to take him out of rhythm right now. Deljay is going to be ready to go in case we need him. We could play two quarterbacks."
By the numbers (FCS national ranks through Oct. 17)
| Category |
National |
MEAC |
Value |
| Passes Intercepted |
1st |
1st |
11 |
| Punt Returns |
2nd |
1st |
24.27 |
| Defensive Touchdowns |
2nd |
T-1st |
2 |
| Turnovers Gained |
3rd |
1st |
16 |
| Rushing Defense |
5th |
2nd |
101.0 |
| Total Defense |
7th |
2nd |
292.6 |
| Rushing Offense |
9th |
2nd |
214.0 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense |
13th |
2nd |
.333 |
| Team Sacks |
16th |
3rd |
2.43 |
| Scoring Offense |
17th |
2nd |
35.3 |
| First Downs Defense |
20th |
2nd |
119 |
| Turnover Margin |
21st |
2nd |
0.71 |
| Scoring Defense |
28th |
2nd |
22.6 |
| Total Offense |
28th |
2nd |
415.6 |
Norfolk State's 11 interceptions are tied for the most in the FCS. The Spartans rank in the national top 10 in four categories and lead the MEAC in interceptions, punt returns and turnovers gained.
Season leaders through seven games
Three different Spartans have returned a punt for a touchdown this season — Wonodi twice, plus Michael Jones and Christian James. Davis leads the MEAC in interceptions per game.
What Coach Vick Is Saying
On walking into South Carolina State's Homecoming: "We know we're up against the giant of the conference. They've run this conference for years. But everything is subject to change, and just because that's been the thing of the past doesn't mean it has to be the thing of the present. We control our destiny. I'm excited that we get to line up and face them, just like we did last year when they came to our house and beat us by 30. Now we get to go down there, in front of their crowd, and try to spoil their Homecoming like they spoiled ours. I won't sugarcoat that. That's the fun part about this game."
On whether last year's loss is bulletin board material: "For sure. They came into our house last year and they beat us. How can you forget that? I can remember losses I had when I played that still hurt. When I'm watching the film, I'm looking at the crowd thinking, man, we had a pretty good crowd here."
On opening conference play: "This time of year, it's like playoff season for us. That's how we've got to look at it and that's how we're going to approach it. Having a chance to compete against them right out of the gate can set the tone for the rest of the year if we pull it off. We're inviting the challenge. We accepted it. We love it."
On how this team differs from the one South Carolina State saw last year: "We're not the same team. Anybody can look at the film and see that. Now they've got the reps, now they have the confidence, now they have the understanding and the belief — and that's where it all starts. Offensively, defensively, special teams, we're a different team. We're very motivated, and I hope we stay that way."
On what the Bulldogs present: "They're a well-coached team. They do a lot of things on offense that can get you out of sync. They have a really good running back and a quarterback who can make the throws — they have two quarterbacks, so we'll have a plan for each of them. But their strength is up front, on the offensive line and the defensive line. We have to keep those guys at bay. They're going to make their share of plays. We've got to make more."
On the open date: "The bye was very productive. We were able to take our minds off football for a minute, but also transition back into it. Practice yesterday, guys were flying around and were very enthused. I want us to be physically fit and strong and healthy and ready to go Saturday."
From the Locker Room
Senior defensive back Kaleb Broadbent, a Western Branch High School product who intercepted two passes and returned one 39 yards for a touchdown against Virginia-Lynchburg, met with media this week.
On opening against the two-time defending champion: "This is an amazing opportunity, to go against a formidable opponent. They're the head of everything. To become the man, you've got to beat the man. That's the goal."
On last year's Homecoming loss: "We just remember what we felt last year. They came to our Homecoming and ruined our Homecoming. So our goal is to go down there and do the same."
On conference play starting in late October: "Everybody's 0-0 in this conference right now. What you did in those first six or seven games isn't pointless, but it's a whole new season. Everybody's undefeated, and we're looking to go 1-0 every week for the next five weeks to get us to our goal."
On whether South Carolina State is circled: "Of course. Everybody wants to chop the head off the monster. We want to be the first ones to do it."
On the biggest difference from last year's team: "The discipline. We set ourselves back a lot last year just based on discipline. It's for sure better now, and the camaraderie in the locker room is just better."
On what the early-season schedule prepared them for: "We had some tough opponents at the beginning of the season with UVA and ODU, and then Robert Morris. Those games are setting us up for the next five weeks."
On his pick-six at Homecoming: "It was a great feeling. To do it on Homecoming, to be from here, growing up watching this game — it was surreal. It took a lot of preparation to get those two picks, and a lot of people might drop them in those opportunities."
Fifth-year center Tyler Leinberger also spoke.
On the mindset entering conference play: "It's almost like a playoff mindset. Everything we do this week goes toward winning this week — not next week, not the week after. The other games helped us find our identity and learn what we need to fix. But this is conference. This is where it matters the most. These count toward the championship."
On returning to South Carolina State's Homecoming: "I remember last season. That sucked. Nobody wants to lose on Homecoming like that, and a lot of our guys remember it and aren't happy about it. It's their Homecoming now, and it would be a great time for us to go in there and do what they did to us last year."
On running the football: "That's part of our identity. We want to show that we can run the ball and we want to be known up front. Getting 300 rushing yards would be amazing — but it doesn't really matter to me how we win. However we score, that's what matters."
On blocking for either quarterback: "As an offensive line, it's our job to make their job as easy as possible. Give them time, take the pressure off, keep them clean. It doesn't matter who's back there. All five of us are worried about doing our job."
On handling a Homecoming crowd: "Playing those earlier games gives us experience — the UVAs, the ODUs. We've played in loud games. This is nothing new to us. That's a positive we do have coming out of those losses. The noise is awesome. I like it."
On discipline: "Emotions can get really high in these games. The noise, everything going on — it's exciting. Our thing is to keep our cool. Stay who you are. Don't worry about the extra noise. You can use it as fuel, but don't let it get to you emotionally."
On his midseason recognition: "I've got a great line next to me and great coaches who make my life very easy. I'm grateful I get to play next to those guys. It's good, but the season's not over, and I want to win. That's the most important thing right now."
About the Bulldogs
South Carolina State (5-2) is the standard in the MEAC and has been since Chennis Berry arrived at the start of the 2024 season.
Berry, in his third season, has never lost a conference game. He is 10-0 in MEAC play, and the Bulldogs have won 11 consecutive league games dating to 2023, by an average margin of 22.9 points. South Carolina State has taken back-to-back MEAC titles, reached consecutive Celebration Bowls and won the 2025 edition 40-38 in four overtimes over Prairie View A&M to claim the black college national championship. Berry has been MEAC Coach of the Year twice.
The Bulldogs were the overwhelming preseason pick to three-peat, claiming 10 of the 25 first-team spots on the MEAC preseason team. Linebacker Jordan Franklin was named MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and appears on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. Edge rusher Ka'Von Chisolm leads the conference in sacks.
South Carolina State opened 5-0, including an 87-0 win over Savannah State, a 66-0 win over Virginia State and a 20-17 win at Furman. The Bulldogs then lost consecutive games for the first time under Berry, falling 34-31 at home to The Citadel on Oct. 3 and 49-39 at Charleston Southern on Oct. 10 before the open date.
Saturday is South Carolina State's MEAC opener and its Homecoming.
The numbers are the best in the subdivision. South Carolina State leads all of FCS in scoring offense (43.6 points per game), total defense (241.6 yards allowed) and rushing defense (90.7). The Bulldogs rank second nationally in third-down conversion defense, third in tackles for loss, fourth in passing yards allowed and first downs allowed, fifth in sacks, sixth in rushing offense and eighth in total offense. They have not had a kick or a punt blocked all season.
Mason Pickett-Hicks ranks seventh nationally in rushing yards (741) and third in yards per carry (7.48). Josh Shaw is third in the FCS with 12 rushing touchdowns and third in scoring. Quarterback Keely Watson ranks 14th nationally in passing efficiency with 11 touchdown passes, and receiver DJ Maultsby is third in the country at 24.0 yards per catch. Ka'Von Chisolm is fourth nationally in sacks per game, and punter MaxCeon Cobb is 13th at 44.5 yards.
Saturday's matchup pairs the two best defenses in the MEAC and the two highest-scoring offenses. Norfolk State and South Carolina State rank first and second in the conference in total defense, rushing defense, rushing offense, scoring offense and scoring defense.
Series History
South Carolina State leads the all-time series 23-5. The teams first met in 1976, a 26-10 Bulldogs win.
The Bulldogs have taken the last three, including a 51-20 decision on Oct. 25, 2025 at William "Dick" Price Stadium — Norfolk State's Homecoming. South Carolina State scored 35 points in the second quarter of that game.
Norfolk State's most recent win in the series came in 2022, a 42-38 result in Orangeburg. The Spartans have won twice in Orangeburg since 2016 and are 3-5 there in the modern era.
| Year |
Site |
Result |
| 2025 |
Norfolk |
SCSU 51, NSU 20 |
| 2024 |
Orangeburg |
SCSU 53, NSU 21 |
| 2023 |
Norfolk |
SCSU 44, NSU 17 |
| 2022 |
Orangeburg |
NSU 42, SCSU 38 |
| 2021 |
Norfolk |
SCSU 31, NSU 21 |
Familiar Faces
Homecoming, reversed. Last October, South Carolina State came to Norfolk and spoiled the Spartans' Homecoming 51-20. Saturday, Norfolk State is the visiting team on South Carolina State's Homecoming — the second weekend an opponent has celebrated Homecoming against the Spartans this month.
A long history. Norfolk State's first two bowl appearances both came against South Carolina State: the 1976 Bicentennial Bowl and the 1979 Gold Bowl.
How to Follow
- Video: ESPN+
- Radio: WNSB Hot 91.1 FM
- Live Stats: www.scsuathletics.com/
- Social: Follow Norfolk State Athletics for in-game updates and postgame reaction
Up Next
Norfolk State continues MEAC play on Saturday, Oct. 31, facing the Delaware State Hornets on neutral ground at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles — the franchise both head coaches played for during their professional careers. Michael Vick spent five seasons in Philadelphia; DeSean Jackson, now in his second year leading Delaware State, spent six. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.
