NORFOLK, Virginia - The Norfolk State University Athletics Department announced its 2014 football schedule on Wednesday. The Spartans' 12-game slate includes five home games and seven total played within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
After playing one of the most challenging schedules in school history in 2013, the Spartans could have just as difficult a slate in 2014. The Spartans' four non-conference opponents next season went a combined 33-17 with one FBS bowl appearance, one FCS playoff appearance and two league titles among them. NSU's four 2013 non-conference opponents (Maine, Rutgers, Charleston Southern, Old Dominion) combined for a 34-17 record.
NSU opens up the year on Aug. 30 at defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Maine, which beat NSU 23-6 in Norfolk last fall en route to a 10-3 overall record. The Black Bears ended the year ranked No. 12 in the final Sports Network Poll Division I FCS top 25 poll.
The Spartans play their home opener on Sept. 6 when they welcome Liberty to Dick Price Stadium. The Flames are coming off an 8-4 Big South Conference co-championship season. This marks the sixth meeting all-time between the teams. The Flames lead the series 3-2, but NSU has won the last two contests, including a 31-24 win in Lynchburg in 2012.
The following week, NSU faces another tough CAA opponent when the Spartans travel west up Interstate 64 to face William & Mary on Sept. 13 in Williamsburg. The Tribe went 7-5 last fall and finished sixth in the others receiving votes category in the final Sports Network top 25 poll of the year. The teams have met four times previously, with the most recent meeting coming in 2009. W&M owns a 4-0 edge in the series.
NSU concludes its non-conference slate with its annual road game with an FBS opponent at the University of Buffalo on Sept. 20. The Bulls are coming off an 8-5 season in 2013, including a berth in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Buffalo went 6-2 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), placing second in the East Division. The teams have never met, though NSU played Ohio University of the MAC in 2012.
"We certainly have a very demanding schedule in 2014," NSU football coach Pete Adrian said. "I think our non-conference schedule should be as difficult as anyone in the FCS. But I know our players are looking forward to the challenges that await us."
NSU's final eight games of the year are against MEAC opponents. The Spartans will play the same eight conference teams as last year, though the home and road locations will be reversed from 2013. NSU welcomes Morgan State (Sept. 27), Delaware State (Oct. 11 for Homecoming), Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 8) and North Carolina Central (Nov. 15) to Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans' MEAC road slate takes them to Savannah State (Oct. 4), Hampton (Oct. 18), Florida A&M (Nov. 1) and South Carolina State (Nov. 22).
Season ticket information will also be released in the coming months.
Date Opponent Location Time/Result
8/30/2014 Maine Orono, Maine TBA
8/30/2014 Maine Orono, Maine TBA
9/6/2014 Liberty Norfolk, Va. 4 p.m.
9/13/2014 William & Mary Williamsburg, Va. TBA
9/20/2014 Buffalo Buffalo, N.Y. TBA
9/27/2014 * Morgan State Norfolk, Va. 4 p.m.
10/4/2014 * Savannah State Savannah, Ga. TBA
10/11/2014 * Delaware State (Homecoming) Norfolk, Va. 2 p.m.
10/18/2014 * Hampton Hampton, Va. TBA Details
11/1/2014 * Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla. TBA
11/8/2014 * Bethune-Cookman Norfolk, Va. 2 p.m.
11/15/2014 * North Carolina Central (Senior Day) Norfolk, Va. 2 p.m.
11/22/2014 * South Carolina State Orangeburg, S.C. TBA
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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