PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Maatteo Bracalenti's 35-yard field goal as time expired lifted Delaware State past Norfolk State 36-33 on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, ending a game the Spartans led for more than 52 minutes.

Norfolk State built a 33-16 lead with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter. Delaware State scored the final 20 points.

The Spartans did it with 22 rushing yards. They fall to 4-5 overall and 0-2 in MEAC play, and have now lost to Delaware State in consecutive seasons at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, after a 27-20 defeat in last year's HBCU Battle of the Legends.

Seventeen unanswered to start

Norfolk State scored on three of its first four possessions.

Marco Peery opened with a 32-yard field goal at 8:22 of the first quarter, capping a 10-play, 62-yard drive. On the ensuing kickoff, Jason Galloway forced a fumble and Damarion Simmons recovered at the Delaware State 8. Jalyn Daniels scored on the next snap. Twelve seconds after the field goal, the Spartans led 10-0.

DaJean Golmond found Kam'Ryn Thomas from 11 yards with 8:13 left in the second quarter for a 17-0 lead.

Delaware State closes before the half

The Hornets scored 10 points in the final 2:09 of the half, and Norfolk State helped both times.

Marqui Adams hit Jaylin Terzado for a 33-yard touchdown on fourth-and-3 from the Norfolk State 33, on a drive extended by two pass interference penalties. On the following kickoff, Shamar Vick fumbled and Ezekiel Orozco recovered at the Norfolk State 21, setting up Patrick Fisher-Butler's 35-yard field goal with 49 seconds left.

Norfolk State led 17-10 at the break.

An 88-yard answer

The Spartans put up 16 points in the third quarter, two of them on the most unusual play of the afternoon.

Golmond threw 23 yards to Jason Wonodi for a touchdown at 9:18. Delaware State answered with Terrence Rone's 40-yard touchdown catch and went for two — and Nasir Bashir took the attempt and returned it 88 yards the other way for a defensive conversion, pushing Norfolk State's lead to 26-16. It was the program's first defensive two-point conversion since Nov. 18, 2017, at Morgan State.

The Spartans then drove 73 yards in six plays, including a 49-yard completion from Golmond to Elyjah Mitchell, and Ravon Moore scored from three yards out with 5:24 to play in the quarter for a 33-16 lead.

Twenty unanswered to finish

Fisher-Butler's 23-yard field goal with 1:46 left in the third started the run.

Delaware State opened the fourth with a five-play, 67-yard drive ending in Adams' 5-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Kelley. Golmond was intercepted by Phillip Dunnam at the Delaware State 40 on the next series, and the Hornets went 60 yards in six plays, Adams finding Kyree Benton from 20 yards with 7:47 left to tie it at 33.

Norfolk State's next two possessions produced a punt and a turnover. With 57 seconds remaining, Mitchell fumbled after a short reception and Ryan Brown recovered at the Norfolk State 15.

Delaware State lost two yards on three plays, let the clock run, and Bracalenti ended it.

The Spartans did not score in the fourth quarter.

Thirty-three points, 22 rushing yards

Norfolk State ran 25 times for 22 net yards, a 0.9-yard average, and still scored 33. It is the first time the Spartans have been held to 50 or fewer rushing yards since gaining 36 against Towson on Aug. 28, 2025. Daniels led with 25 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. Golmond finished with minus-1 on six attempts, Moore with minus-2 on six.

Golmond completed 25 of 35 for 278 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, and was sacked three times. Brevin Caldwell caught nine passes for 69 yards. Mitchell had five for 91, including the 49-yarder. Wonodi caught three for 40 and a score, Thomas three for 22 and a score.

The Spartans were 5-for-12 on third down and 4-for-4 in the red zone. They finished with 300 yards of total offense on 60 plays, 23 fewer yards than Delaware State on the same number of snaps.

The defense

Norfolk State sacked Adams four times for 22 yards and held Delaware State to 1-for-12 on third down. Jeremiah Henry recovered a fumble forced by Rontravious Perry at the Delaware State 21 in the second quarter and stopped a third-quarter drive with an 18-yard tackle for loss on fourth down.

The Hornets went 2-for-4 on fourth down, and six of their 19 first downs came by penalty. Norfolk State was flagged 11 times for 117 yards.

Adams completed 17 of 23 for 243 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, three of those scores coming after the 7:41 mark of the third quarter. He also led Delaware State in rushing with 69 yards.

POSTGAME QUOTES

On the finish: "The greatest finish is the most important thing, and we didn't do that. There were some uncharacteristic things, but I've got to find a way to be better in critical moments. You've got to find ways to finish the game. We didn't do that. They did, and that's why they're in the locker room celebrating right now."

On where the program stands: "I think we've got a lot of growing up to do. We make strides, we take steps forward, and then we take steps back. The conference championship is always the goal. When we're in lockstep and we do the things that are conducive to winning, we'll win the games we're supposed to win. This was a tough one, but we have to continue to mature and continue to get better — as coaches and as players."

On the missed field goal before halftime: "It would have been big to go up 20-0, just for our psyche. Those are situations we put our eyes on all the time, and in the moment, in real time, they've got to capitalize."

On the fumbled kickoffs: "On the ensuing kickoff we fumble, give them the field position, put them right back in the game. We did things that don't relate to winning, and when that happens you're going to get the results that you get. Then we turn around and fumble another kickoff. These are players I have confidence in. They've done it before, and when they get in the moment they have to capitalize. Just a tough way to go out."

On two years at Lincoln Financial Field: "Last year we didn't have a lead. This year we had the lead the entire game, all the way into the last play. That's what I take away from it. I don't know if that's a positive or a negative."

On the margin: "I do think we're a better team this year. But despite four turnovers, we still lose by three. I think that'll be the story of the game."

On returning to Philadelphia: "It's just a great opportunity — a great opportunity for the players. The stage is as big as it's going to get on that level, and we've got to take advantage of that. Shout out to the city of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Eagles for making this happen. It was a no-brainer. It's a blessing to be able to do this, and I hope the players feel that. But obviously when we make this type of trip, we come in to win, most importantly."

On the program's direction: "I do think we're in a better place, and I do think there's a lot of room to build. You've got to continuously evaluate — that's part of the job, part of the decision making, and I have to be accountable for it."

On the final stretch: "Three critical games. It's very important that we finish strong and put ourselves in a position to fight. Just fight, be physical, and find ways to win. That's what's important moving forward."

On DaJean Golmond: "DaJean makes some really good plays, and he also did some things that were uncharacteristic. Their quarterback played really, really well. When those guys get in a little trouble, they find a way to escape. Their quarterback did it a little better than ours today — he was a little more efficient. But I see those similarities, being able to be a dual threat and be a game changer."

On what the team should take from it: "Football is about controlling your emotions. It's about being able to play when you're winning and being able to play when you're losing. Nothing matters other than when the clock reads zero and you've got a final score."

On both lessons: "I hope they learn that you can come from behind — watch Delaware State. And I hope they learn that you've got to hold on to a lead — watch us. It happens across the country every Saturday, but it doesn't register until it happens to you. We put ourselves in a position with a 17-point lead, and I hope the players and the coaches learn a lot from this. But we have to do that really, really fast."

GAME NOTES

• Norfolk State led 33-16 with 5:24 left in the third quarter and was outscored 20-0 the rest of the way
• The Spartans scored no points in the fourth quarter
• Norfolk State led from 8:22 of the first quarter until Delaware State tied the game with 7:47 remaining — roughly 52 minutes of game clock
• Nasir Bashir returned a Delaware State two-point conversion attempt 88 yards for a defensive conversion in the third quarter — Norfolk State's first defensive two-point conversion since Nov. 18, 2017, at Morgan State
• Norfolk State scored 33 points with 22 rushing yards on 25 carries, a 0.9-yard average
• It is the first time the Spartans have been held to 50 or fewer rushing yards since gaining 36 against Towson on Aug. 28, 2025
• The Spartans turned the ball over four times — two interceptions and two lost fumbles — to Delaware State's two
• Delaware State converted 1 of 12 third downs and still scored 36 points
• Six of Delaware State's 19 first downs came by penalty. Norfolk State was flagged 11 times for 117 yards
• Both teams were perfect in the red zone: Delaware State 5-for-5, Norfolk State 4-for-4
• Delaware State's winning drive covered minus-2 yards on three plays after recovering a fumble at the Norfolk State 15 with 57 seconds left
• Marqui Adams threw four touchdown passes, three after the 7:41 mark of the third quarter, and led the Hornets in rushing with 69 yards
• Norfolk State recorded four sacks for 22 yards

UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns to William "Dick" Price Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, to host North Carolina Central. It is the first of three remaining MEAC games, all against conference opponents: the Spartans travel to Morgan State on Nov. 14 before closing the season at home against Howard on Nov. 21. All three games kick off at noon and stream on ESPN+.