Get to know a '12 opponent: Norfolk State

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Back for the second of five blog posts giving readers insight into Liberty University’s non-conference opponents. On Wednesday, we took a look at Wake Forest, whom the Flames will face in their season opener on Sept. 1. Today, it’s reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Norfolk State, which is the opponent for the Flames’ home opener on Sept. 8.

COACH: Pete Adrian, 43-36, eighth season at Norfolk State.

2011 RECORD: 9-3, 7-1 MEAC, lost to Old Dominion 35-18 in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

A LOOK BACK

Norfolk State was a program on the brink of breaking through for three years. The Spartans went 5-7 in 2008 but improved to 7-4 in 2009 before slipping to 6-5 in 2010. Before Adrian’s arrival on campus, the program was abysmal. Prior to 2007, Adrian’s third season, the Spartans had not had a winning season since going 7-4 in 1996. After being outscored by their opponents for nine straight years, Norfolk State has outscored its foes in each of the last five seasons, including in 2011 when the Spartans outscored their opponents by 119 points, the highest total since 1985 when they outscored teams by 130 points. The Spartans rode the arm and legs of MEAC offensive player of the year Chris Walley to the FCS playoffs for the first time, and they lost in the first round to Norfolk rival Old Dominion. There may be some rebuilding this season, especially on the defensive side where NSU lost its top three linebackers, but the last five years point to Norfolk State’s competitive not being a fluke. Last year’s 9-3 season was the second winningest mark in program history, behind only the 1984 team that went 10-2.

WHO’S BACK?


Dance Dimensions Dance & Music Academy located on 415 N. Military Hwy - Norfolk VA. 23502 - presents Hot Ice Auditions for the Norfolk State University Marching Spartan Legions upcoming 2012-13 Marching Band Season. Come join the sophisticated ladies of "Hot Ice" of Norfolk State University. (under the direction of Eboni Young). Auditions are scheduled for Saturday - July 7 at 11:00 a.m. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Call 757-435-5426 for more info. 

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