NSU football schedule includes first visit by William & Mary

Seven home games, including visits from Hampton, William and Mary and defending MEAC champion South Carolina State, highlight the Norfolk State football schedule finalized Tuesday. The Spartans, who played just five home games last year, will play five of their first six at Dick Price Stadium this season, beginning with the annual Labor Day Classic against Virginia State on Sept. 5. They'll play just four road games.

"Last year, we had to kind of pay the piper," coach Pete Adrian said. "This year, we hopefully can get the reward." The Spartans play four straight at home from Sept. 19 to Oct. 17, beginning with a first-ever visit from William and Mary. They'll face the toughest part of their conference schedule next, with home games against Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State and Hampton.

QB Dennis Brown and the Spartans prepare for '09 MEAC title run.

NSU Spartans 2009 Football Schedule
Date Opponent
9/5/09 Virginia State (Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic), Norfolk, Va., 6 p.m.
9/12/09 *North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, N.C., TBA
9/19/09 William & Mary, Norfolk, Va., 6 p.m.
9/26/09 *Bethune-Cookman (Fish Bowl Classic), Norfolk, Va., 4 p.m.
10/10/09 *South Carolina State, Norfolk, Va., 1 p.m.
10/17/09 *Hampton (Battle of the Bay), Norfolk, Va. , 1 p.m.
10/24/09 *Florida A&M, Tallahassee, Fla., 3 p.m.
10/31/09 *Howard (Homecoming), Norfolk, Va., 1 p.m.
11/7/09 *Morgan State, Baltimore, Md., 4 p.m.
11/14/09 *Delaware State, Dover, Del., 1 p.m.
11/21/09 *Winston-Salem State, Norfolk, Va.

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Grafton pitcher Robbie Brownschidle commits to Norfolk State

Grafton High senior Robbie Brownschidle said today that he will play baseball next season at Norfolk State. Brownschidle will sign and send the paperwork to NSU within the next couple of days. Brownschidle said that between academic aid and the athletic grant he will sign, that he will not have to pay to attend NSU. Brownschidle carries a 3.65 grade point average.

Brownschidle batted .406 last season with 26 RBI and five home runs, earning Group AA All-State honorable mention honors as a first baseman. He was 5-0 pitching last season for Grafton's Region I tournament semifinalists. He is batting .350 this season for the Clippers (7-1) and is 2-1 on the mound. He has moved into the role as Grafton's No. 1 pitcher, and his only loss was a complete-game 3-2 decision at unbeaten Poquoson (9-0). Brownschidle, 6-foot, 175 pounds, said that NSU is recruiting him as a pitcher, but that Spartans coach Claudell Clark is interested in Brownschidle batting after seeing his hitting numbers from last season.

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Morgan State wins MEAC men title

Point guard James "Itchy" Bolden helped scratched a 32-year itch for the Morgan State Bears. Bolden spearheaded the Bears first Mid-Eastern Athletic title on Saturday with an 83-69 victory over upstart Norfolk State at Joel Coliseum. It was the steady play of Bolden, who delivered 18 points, two assists and five rebounds, but more importantly helped break the full-court pressure of the Spartans at key moments.

MSU Coach Todd Bozeman completes the Bears rebuilding journey...three seasons...MEAC Championship... NCAA bid with possible 14 or 15 seed.

Backing Bolden was Reggie Holmes who had 20 points and six rebounds, and Rogers Barnes scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had two assists. Freshman Kevin Thompson came off the bench to score 15 points and grab 11 rebounds. The victory for the Bears gives them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as they improved to 23-11 and can look forward to a possible 15th or even maybe a 14th seed in the tournament when the pairings are announced tonight.

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NSU's basketball recruits are practicing patience

NORFOLK, VA - Rob Hampton was not prepared for how long a college basketball season could be when you're watching it from the sidelines. Then he sat through his first home game at Norfolk State's Echols Hall as a spectator and thought: This is going to take some getting used to. "It took about three hours from the time we walked into the gym to the end of the game," said Hampton, a 6-foot-4 guard who played the previous two seasons at Drexel University. "It felt like three days."

Hampton must sit through such pain one more time - tonight, when the Spartans host North Carolina A&T at 8 to close out their regular season. He's hard to miss. While everyone else is dressed in uniform or warm-ups, Hampton normally sits at the end of the Norfolk State bench wearing gray sweats. He could watch things from the bleachers, as do two other redshirting transfers - Christian Morris, formerly of Rutgers, and Marcos Tamares, formerly of Maryland-Baltimore County. But Hampton prefers to be closer to the action.

For two years at Drexel, Hampton was knee deep in that action. After minimal playing time as a freshman, he averaged 20.7 minutes a game as a sophomore, scoring 4.5 points a game.

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NSU men win 4th MEAC track title in row; women take second

LANDOVER, Md - Norfolk State's men's track team, led by Marlon Woods, captured their fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference track and field title Saturday with 150 points at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. Morgan State was second with 103 points. Woods was named the Outstanding Performer by winning the high jump and triple jump and finishing second in the long jump.

"I'm really proud of my team," Woods said. "We haven't had the best of weather to practice in, but our whole team came together to get the win." Katie Wright, NSU's pole vaulter, set a MEAC record by clearing 3.36 meters and helped the Spartans finish second to Hampton in the women's competition. Hampton outscored NSU 148-107.

NSU's Kenneth Giles was named the Outstanding Coach for the 15th time.

Final Results
Men's Heptathlon
Women's Pentathlon

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Norfolk State adds receiver, defensive back

Norfolk State signed two more football players to its fall recruiting class Friday. Defensive back Denzel Coleman and wide receiver Derrick Demps signed with the Spartans two days after National Signing Day. NSU signed five players Wednesday. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Coleman played four years at Mays High School in Atlanta. He recorded 71 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries in his senior season. Coleman also ran sprints on the track team for the past two seasons.

Demps, 6 feet and 180 pounds, hails from Florida High School in Tallahassee. The third-team all-state Class 2A selection caught 42 passes for 743 yards with seven touchdowns last fall. Demps also returned an interception 75 yards for a score.

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Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band


National Signing Day Signees to NSU

Karl Butler, OL, 6-5/310, Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend HS. Was an honorable mention all-district pick as a senior. Adrian says: “Butler is very athletic and comes off ball well. He is excellent in pass protection.”

Quartez Carter, TE, 6-5/250, Spotsylvania, Va./Spotsylvania HS. Two-time first-team All-Battlefield District selection at tight end…also named honorable mention All-Region I as a junior and senior…selected to the all-district second team at defensive end in his final prep season…caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns as a senior…also an all-district pick in basketball. Adrian says: “He has a chance to help us right away. He runs well for his size, has good hands, and is big for a tight end.”

Kevin Leatherwood, QB, 6-2/205, Charlottesville, Va./Charlottesville HS. A three-year starter at quarterback for Charlottesville…missed most of his senior season due to injury…was an all-district and all-region performer as a junior, when he accounted for 2,000 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns…also the Jefferson District Player of the Year and an all-state selection in basketball as a junior. Adrian says: “Leatherwood is an exceptional athlete. He’s a smart player who throws the ball with good velocity and understands the game.”

Victor Martin, DL, 6-2/270, Fort Meade, Fla./Independence (Kan.) CC/Fort Meade HS. A second-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection last year…team captain…tallied 62 tackles, 12 for loss, and eight sacks…a first-team All-State Class 1A selection as a senior at Fort Meade HS, when he helped the Miners win the state title…redshirted his first year at Independence, and has three years of eligibility remaining. Adrian says: “Martin has a great ‘motor.’ He is tailor-made for our defense because he moves well and is always around the football.”

Cameron Williams, OL, 6-4/295, Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes HS. A second-team all-state (VISAA) offensive lineman as a senior. Adrian says: “Williams is another athletic lineman who has excellent strength and movement.”

Doing his best to make NSU the best it can be

Marty Miller does his best thinking while tooling around in his little red Corvette. In those moments, Norfolk State's athletic director imagines a dynamic future in which the Spartans dominate the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Miller believes 2009 will be the football team's best season since joining Division I in 1997. Men's and women's basketball - both under upstart coaches - are two to three years away from separating themselves from the rest of the conference, he assures.

If NSU's major sports programs follow his lofty time line, it will largely be due to Miller's commitment to the program, which he took over on an interim basis in December 2004. He fashions himself a winner, and he has high expectations for the future. Whether it's Scrabble or any game the Spartans are involved in, Miller hates to lose - one reason the former Army lieutenant coached the Spartans' baseball team to 700 victories. "I'm always competing in everything I do," Miller says. "I wonder how I got to this point in life. But I'm like that at everything I do. In life, I want to be the best."

His wife of 35 years - and mother to their son, 33-year-old Marty Eric - confirms that. "He would come home after coaching, and I knew when he walked in the door whether he won or lost," Liz Miller says. "It's always been about NSU for him. "NSU is the other woman in my life."

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Today: Norfolk State (1-7) vs. Middle Tennessee (5-5)

GAME NOTES: Losers of seven in a row, the Norfolk State Spartans give it another shot this evening as they contend against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders as part of the second round of the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tournament at JQH Arena in Springfield, Missouri.

Norfolk State won its season opener against Longwood on the road, but since then the team has failed to make it back into the win column. Saturday saw the squad bow to Missouri State in the first round of this event by a score of 75-66. As for the Blue Raiders, they managed to snap a brief two-game slide yesterday with a 65-52 win over UC Irvine, evening the team's overall record at 5-5 in the process. Meeting for the first time on the hardwood, both Middle Tennessee and Norfolk State will be back in action on Monday as they swap partners with UC Irvine and Missouri State again to close out the tournament.

Corey Lyons scored a career-high 32 points, shooting 11-of-23 from the field and 7-of-14 behind the three-point line on Saturday night, but even his efforts were not enough to earn the Spartans a victory. Also having a strong scoring game was Michael Deloach with 24 points, but he needed 9-of-24 shooting from the floor in order to pull it off. Brandon Monroe accounted for a team-best nine rebounds, but he failed to score a single point for a team that turned the ball over 21 times. Even with the offensive burst, Lyons is still averaging just 13.8 ppg while shooting 34.3 percent from the floor. Deloach has become one of the top scorers in the MEAC this year with his 20.8 ppg, and he is pulling down almost five and a half rebounds per game while ranking second in the assists department with 18 over eight games.

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Branche's late score rallies Spartans in season finale

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It's basketball season, and Norfolk State football won Saturday thanks to an assist from DeAngelo Branche. The running back out of Maury High School rumbled his way to a career-high 181 yards, lifting the Spartans to a 17-14 victory over Winston-Salem State at Bowman-Gray Stadium in the season finale for both teams. Branche, who eclipsed his previous career-high by one yard, finished the season with 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back barreled for 154 of those in a second half that saw NSU rally twice to get past a team that beat Hampton and Delaware State in the last three weeks.

"My offensive line gave me the blocks I needed," Branche said. "We're going into the offseason with a win. That's better than a loss." The Spartans (5-7) ended the season by winning three of their final four. Saturday's nonconference match-up with the Rams (3-8) wasn't without some anxious moments for NSU, particularly when a turnover on their fifth play from scrimmage resulted in a Winston-Salem touchdown.

Nigel McGowen's 10-yard catch was good for an NSU first down, but the sophomore fumbled after a blistering hit by Alton Keaton. Alex Chandler scooped up the loose ball for a 52-yard return to the end zone. The Spartans, 1 of 6 on third-down conversions in the first half, got their lone points of the period from Justin Castellat's 36-yard field goal.

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Attendance: 1,428 at Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, N.C.

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NSU defense scores 2 TDs, limits league’s top rusher in win

NORFOLK, VA - Morgan State might have the top-ranked defense in Division I-AA, but Norfolk State’s was better Saturday at Price Stadium. The Bears committed a season-high seven turnovers, and the Spartans dominated in a 35-9 rout. Don Carey, who picked off a pair of passes in front of a handful of NFL scouts in town to watch him, said the NSU defense got ticked off early and remained angry in holding the Bears to their fewest points this fall in a I-AA game.

“Rankings don’t mean a thing,” the Booker T. Washington High School graduate said. “The thing that got me is they tried to come out and jump on our logo. No matter who we’re playing, I’m always going to show respect.” Carey scored off his second pick, zooming 94 yards down the left sideline for the first touchdown of his career. That was NSU’s second defensive TD of the afternoon. Hasan Craig ran back Mario Melton’s fumble two plays before that.

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Attendance: 5,812 (19.4%) at Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA (Capacity: 30,000).

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NSU snaps its losing streak with 49-12 win over Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After six weeks of futility, Norfolk State finally found a reason to celebrate, overwhelming Howard 49-12 on Saturday at Greene Stadium. Not only did the Spartans win their first game since Sept. 13, they halted a more miserable streak in producing their first victory over the Bison on the road since 1983.

Plenty of green and gold lined the visitors' bleachers on an unseasonably warm afternoon, and those fans enjoyed every kind of Spartans highlight imaginable. NSU (3-6, 2-4) scored on offense, defense and twice on special teams in breaking a five-game losing streak. The 49 points were the most by NSU this season. I'm going to keep this uniform on until next week," said revved-up Spartans quarterback Dennis Brown, who produced one touchdown with his legs and another with his arm. "We're a better team than our record shows. Now all we have to do is come out and run the table."

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Attendance: 2,086 (21%) at Wm. H. Greene Stadium, Washington, D.C. (Capacity: 10,000).

Missed chances, turnovers prove costly in NSU Spartans’ loss

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FAMU defeats Norfolk State
FAMU Pregame

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State found another way to lose Saturday when a field goal in the final four seconds cost the Spartans moments after they thrilled the homecoming crowd at Price Stadium by rallying for a tie. The 31-28 Florida A&M win sent the Spartans to their fifth consecutive loss. "For a while we were clicking," said NSU receiver Dario Walker, a line repeated by just about every Spartan. "But we just keep coming up short every week. "

Just when NSU looked finished, Dennis Brown overcame a 4th-and-7 by completing his longest pass of the day from 37 yards out to Walker, who made a diving catch in the left corner of the end zone with 35 seconds left. After the extra point the game was tied at 28. Florida A&M had all its timeouts and Curtis Pulley, the transfer quarterback from Kentucky, whose ability to escape the blitz had stymied NSU much of the afternoon.

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Get ready Rattler fans: It's homecoming week at FAMU

Week Nine: MEAC/SWAC Football Results

Florida A&M Rattlers 31, Norfolk State Spartans 28

The Joe Taylor two-headed Rattler experiment is over at the expense of the Norfolk State Spartans. Starter Eddie Battle gave the Spartans homecoming crowd hope, with two interceptions thrown and a fumble in completing 3 of 7 passes for 10 yards in the first quarter action. With the Spartans leading 14-0, in steps QB Curtis Pulley to get the Rattlers focused with his running and passing. Pulley completed 13 of 27 passes for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns, and ran for another 101 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries.

RB Philip Sylvester had 16 carries for 105 yards, with a 44 yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave FAMU a 21-14 lead. Rattler receiver Kevin Elliott had seven catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns (16 and 25 yards). Isaac West hauled in a fourth quarter bomb of 60 yards from Pulley to give the Rattlers a 28-21 lead that the Spartans would match with a Dennis Brown 37 yard pass completion to Dario Walker for a touchdown to tie the game again, with .35 seconds remaining.

FAMU's Pulley then drove the Rattlers 67 yards in 5 plays (.31 seconds) to set up Rattlers kicker Trevor Scott for the game winner from the 26 yard line.

Spartans 1-A transfer QB Dennis Brown ( UConn.) and Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington H.S., had a magnificent game completing 22/37 for 192 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Brown lead the NSU rushing attack with 131 yards on 16 carries for one touchdown.

The FAMU defense has shown little improvement--allowing Norfolk State to score with 35 seconds remaining in the game with a blown coverage on a 37 yard touchdown pass and allowing the Spartans to be successful on 3 of 4 fourth down plays. The inspired 2-6 Spartans were able to gain 371 yards and control the clock for 29 minutes against the Rattlers.

The Rattlers FAMCAST system failed again! As advertised, the game was not broadcasted at the appointed 1:00 p.m. and video was not received until the second half. Audio was picked up with about three minutes remaining in the 1st quarter. For a first class university, this streaming video/audio system sucks and is not representative of the fine work that this university can produce. No excuses--this needs to be fixed as this signal is being sent globally and fans expect to be able to tune in.

Charge a fee if you must--but develop a first class, reliable and dependable FAMCAST system that fans can enjoy watching--all of the Rattlers sports and other events.

Final Observations....The Rattlers need to stop playing to the level of their competition in the MEAC or they may be sitting at home with a 10-2 record come time for the 2008 FCS (1-AA) playoffs. Eddie Battle should remain on the bench as Curtis Pulley is the superior QB and is getting the job done. Battle is a good kid, but he does not have the running talents of Pulley, who is to valuable for FAMU's success to be platooned. Overall, the FAMU defense sucks and needs a complete makeover.

Attendance: 13,889 (46%) at Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA (Capacity: 30,000).

Morgan State Bears 20, Delaware State Hornets 3

The Bears did the entire MEAC a favor by blasting the Hornets at Hughes Stadium before 6,312 Bear fans to drop DSU out of the MEAC race with a 3-4, 3-2 record. The Hornets self-destructed with 31 yards passing, 87 yards rushing, and four turnovers for the entire game. What happen to all those celebrated Division I transfers that were going to make the Delaware State Hornets Kings of the MEAC?

We will find out how good the Bears really are next week as they are scheduled as the homecoming opponent for the fast charging FAMU Rattlers. The Bears are returning to glory with a 5-3, 3-1 MEAC record.

Attendance: 6312 (63%) at Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD (Capacity: 10,000).

South Carolina State University 35, Hampton University 13

S.C. State's Buddy Pough now has a clear path to the MEAC championship and FCS Playoffs. Hampton got hammered by the Bulldogs power running game on Saturday afternoon. No need to over analyze the why's and how's, as 316 yards on the ground speaks volumes about the prowess of the Bulldogs running game.

Will Ford did his thing, gaining 182 yards on 25 carries for one touchdown. But, the surprise of the day was Travil Jamison who exploded for four touchdowns on 10 carries, for 152 yards. We had rain, but SCSU brought thunder and lightning to the Pirates.

The Pirates didn't give themselves a chance getting whistled for 13 penalties for 154 yards. RB LaMarcus Coker was held scoreless on 22 rushes for 109 yards, but caught a 10 yard pass for touchdown from QB Herbert Bynes. Bynes also hit Damon McDaniel on a beautiful 43-yard touchdown pass and completed 27/40 for 272 yards for two touchdowns.

The Pirates season and playoff dreams may be over if Coach Holmes cannot motivate his defense to stop the run.

Attendance: 17,159 (78%) at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, S.C. (Capacity: 22,000).

North Carolina A&T Aggies 21, Howard University Bison 20

North Carolina A&T (3-6, 1-4) drop kicked head coach Lee Fobbs, Jr. on Monday. And with his assistant coach George Ragsdale in the driver seat, the Aggies kicked the Howard Bison (1-6, 0-4) under the bus to end a six game losing streak. With the Aggies headed in a new direction, one has to ask the question--what direction is Howard headed with only one win this season against the Savannah State Tigers? What has Coach Carey Bailey done for the Bison lately, as he was 4-7 in his first season with the Bison and currently 1-6, 0-4 MEAC?

This victory is the first conference win for the Aggies since October 2005. Michael Ferguson scored two touchdowns to lead the Aggies offense and North Carolina A&T defense recovered a Bison fumble in the last minute to preserve the win. This is the second week that the Bison offense has self-destructed in the final minutes of a game they could have won.

Bethune Cookman Wildcats 27, Winston Salem State Rams 6

The Wildcats are 5-2, 3-2 MEAC and can end the season with 7-8 wins. Winston Salem (1-6, 1-4) is reason #1 the MEAC should move to a seven game North/South divisional format.

Attendance: 12,121 ( 67%) at Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston Salem, N.C. (Capacity: 18,000).

Alabama A&M Bulldogs 17, Alabama State Hornets 16

The Bulldogs move to 4-5, 3-1 SWAC and ASU falls to 1-6, 1-3 SWAC in the annual Magic City Classic affair. It really didn't matter what the records were for this Alabama rivarly, as 69, 113 attended this game, making the Magic City Classic the #1 ranked HBCU/FCS/Division I-AA game in attendance.

Attendance: 69,113 (86%) at Legion Field, Birmingham, AL (Capacity: 80,391).

Texas Southern 30, Alcorn State University 29

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff 42, Lincoln (Mo) 0

Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 27, Tennessee State Tigers 20 (OT)

Jackson State 29, Mississippi Valley State 27

Prairie View A&M 24, Southern 23

Idle: Grambling, Savannah State (I-AA Indep.) and N.C. Central (I-AA Indep.).

Norfolk State handling difficult season, hope to turn around with FAMU

Florida A&M at Norfolk State, 1 p.m.
Online: Complete coverage on http://www.rattlernews.com/
Radio: 96.1 FM.
GAME LIVE AUDIO/VIDEO: http://www.famu.edu/famcast/famusports/
NSU: Click here for the audio stream.

Anyone who wants to know what is causing the downward spiral for Norfolk State football team, which came within a touchdown of winning the MEAC last year, only has to look at Florida A&M's 2007 results. Interceptions, missed field goals and injuries are all taking a toll on the Spartans. They desperately need a turnaround and they're hoping it begins when FAMU goes to Price Stadium for Norfolk State's homecoming today.

This time last season, Norfolk State was 6-1 and holding first place in the league. Now it has just two wins with five losses. "It's frustration more than anything," said coach Pete Adrian. "It's frustrating for our kids because they're not playing that bad." Last season when Norfolk State compiled an 8-3 record, it won the close games and ended the season with its best season since it moved to Division I-AA 11 years ago. The close ones have been escaping Norfolk State this time, though.

NSU RB DeAngelo Branche #3 get tackled by Kentucky Wildcat.

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A transfer of power: HU speeds past NSU

HAMPTON, VA - It was just one of three big scoring plays Hampton University used to defeat Norfolk State 35-17 on Saturday, but for Damon McDaniel, it was the sweetest. Early in the second quarter, with the Pirates up just 7-0 and facing third-and-27 from their 30-yard line, HU quarterback Herb Bynes launched a deep ball in McDaniel's direction. Norfolk State defensive back Don Carey was in front of McDaniel and in prime position to knock the ball down, but instead he went for the interception.

But a gust of wind blew the ball through Carey's hands and into the waiting arms of McDaniel, who turned to see a completely clear path to the end zone and a two-touchdown lead that gave the Pirates the momentum for good. The TD also provided some redemption for McDaniel, who transferred to Hampton from Florida State but had to sit out the Pirates' first four games because of NCAA penalties related to last year's academic scandal at FSU.

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Attendance: 12,034 (70.8%) at Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA (Capacity: 17,000).
Season Record: Hampton Pirates, 5-1, 4-0 MEAC); Norfolk State Spartans, 2-5, 1-3.

MEAC contenders will square off this Saturday

NORFOLK, VA -- Joe Taylor calls it separation Saturday. Norfolk State isn't involved as the Spartans are off, but a pair of games this weekend should shed some light on the cream of the league race. Hampton (3-1, 2-0 MEAC) travels to Delaware State (1-2, 1-0) and preseason favorite South Carolina State (3-2, 1-0) heads to Tallahassee to take on Taylor's surprising Florida A&M team (3-1, 1-1).

"It's like looking at Hampton in Florida," South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough said of the Rattlers, who rotate two quarterbacks - Kentucky transfer Curtis Pulley and Eddie Battle. Hornets coach Al Lavan, meanwhile, said that without Taylor, Hampton hasn't missed a beat under first-year coach Jerry Holmes.

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BCU 'Cats get mad and get even

You know what they say about payback. And if you're a Norfolk State fan or a Spartan, you know how it feels after Saturday's 33-17 loss at the hands of a fired-up Bethune-Cookman football team. The Wildcats came into the game with vengeance on their minds. During pregame warm-ups, the 'Cats had an extra bounce in their steps on Municipal Stadium's Kelly Field and every now and then one of them would shout, "Payback!"

It had been a year since B-CU's 38-31 road loss to Norfolk State in a series that has heightened interest because the Spartans are coached by former Wildcats defensive coordinator Pete Adrian. Some of the Wildcats, including head coach Alvin Wyatt, had not forgotten how that game played out. The 'Cats left Dick Price Stadium feeling as if they were robbed. Wyatt said his team was forced to alter its blocking scheme to avoid inaccurate penalties for blocking below the waist.

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Attendance: 5,228 (52.3%) at Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL (Capacity: 10,000).

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Three more I-A road games will raise profile, boost coffers for NSU

NORFOLK, VA - Rutgers and Kentucky were only the beginning. Norfolk State's future includes more games against Division I-A opponents - three more in the next four years, in fact. The Scarlet Knights are on tap again for Sept. 10, 2010, in Piscataway, N.J. Rutgers beat NSU 59-0 on Sept. 16, 2007, in the first-ever I-A game played by a Spartans football team.

NSU meets West Virginia in Morgantown on Sept. 10, 2011. On Sept. 8, 2012, Norfolk State plays Ohio University in Athens. NSU has never faced either team, though West Virginia is coach Pete Adrian's alma mater. "In four years, to be able to play three Division I-A football teams is something I don't know any other school in the MEAC can match," Adrian said. "It's a good thing to mention when you're recruiting a young man."

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Let's Call It Like We See It

We're not impressed, especially after the Spartans got kicked to sleep 42-12 by a bottom feeder, 1-AA William and Mary, last Saturday. No chance of beating 1-A Rutgers, West Virginia or Ohio on their worst days. So, let's call it like we see it ---an easy paycheck game for the Spartans athletic budget and another over-matched, non-competitive football game that makes the MEAC look like a cupcake Division III league, like most of the SWAC.

Norfolk State, the MEAC does not need your help on deteriorating the conference image further--North Carolina A&T did an exceptional job in that department with 27 straight losses and Howard is working diligently towards replacing the Aggies and Savannah State as the #1 cupcake in 1-AA football. At least attempt to schedule a 1-A team that you can at least stick with for a half, before getting crushed by 50-60 points.

Getting shellacked 97-3 in two "practices" with Rutgers and Kentucky, and losing to W&M by five TDs would be enough for us to seek developing a new marketing plan for filling beautiful 30,000 seat Dick Price Stadium with one of your old CIAA rivalry opponents like Fayetteville State, to boost the coffers $325,000. We would even suggest scheduling Division II Tuskegee University (who will beat the socks off the Spartans) or 1-AA Tennessee State, Southern or Jackson State, teams that travel well that will pack out Price Stadium to see the Spartans get steamrolled by the road team.

With all of the infrastructure in place, why go build the other guys fan base and business community, and give them a guaranteed victory on a platter for a few hundred thousand dollars? Why leave your Stadium empty with only five home games and your local business community and employers losing another $6-$12 million dollars of fan revenues on NSU game day because the 1-A will never sign a home and home contract with you?

Please focus on renewal of your past rivalry games in the CIAA, as games with W&M, Virginia Military and ODU does nothing for your bottom line. Forget playing Virginia and Virginia Tech, as they don't need you and the guaranteed 60-70 point loss for a paycheck that you are pimping. Moreover, it is not worth the national humiliation for the conference and University to have the Spartans flashed on ESPN being cremated by 8-9 touchdowns by a second or third tier 1-A in a so-called "tune-up" game for the opponent.

No doubt, Spartans athletic director Marty Miller is fast becoming the Number One, 1-A scheduler (pimp) in the MEAC. We only wish greater efforts would be placed in the development and execution of sustainable marketing plans by MEAC and SWAC athletic directors to fill the coffers. Scheduling 1-A power conference teams for a pay-check is just a band-aid solution to the greater problems in the MEAC and SWAC. And that's how we see it!

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Norfolk State's sparse scoring ranks last in league

NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk State offense has scored 13 points in its last six quarters. It's no surprise, then, to see the Spartans ranked last offensively in the MEAC, a statistic the team must improve in order to remain competitive in the conference. NSU meets Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m. today in Daytona Beach. The Spartans won in Jacksonville when the teams played there in 1996 but haven't won in the past six games played in Daytona Beach.

UConn transfer QB Dennis Brown, #10 was a no show at William and Mary as the Spartans were embarrassed 42-12, by a CAA cellar dweller.

"We're looking to reduce a few things, simplify the offense," NSU coach Pete Adrian said. We don't need 60 plays and 10 formations." The Spartans faltered badly in a 42-12 loss at William and Mary because of five turnovers, drive-killing penalties and an inability to move the ball. NSU was 3 of 18 on third-down opportunities, and many of Dennis Brown's passes were either dropped, thrown too hard or tossed behind receivers.

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William & Mary routs NSU in first meeting since '87

Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, VA - Both teams wore green and gold at Zable Stadium on Saturday night. That's where the similarities ended between Norfolk State and William and Mary in the first meeting between the schools in 23 years. For the Tribe (2-1), it was a night of big plays in a 42-12 rout. For the Spartans (2-2), it was a frustrating evening of missed opportunities, blown coverages and offensive ineptitude.

NSU Coach Pete Adrian and the Spartans were steamrolled by William and Mary Tribe 42 -12, Saturday. However, the Spartan Legions Band did play and may have won the so-called mystical battle of the bands. It appears that Spartans football was out of their league in facing divisional foe, William and Mary. The Spartans were validated by the Tribe as being "certified pretenders" for the MEAC Crown and a FCS playoff berth.

NSU had four turnovers, committed 12 penalties and converted just three of 18 third-down opportunities. William and Mary's Jake Phillips, meanwhile, had his third straight game with three or more touchdown passes, throwing four four scores. "We played very poorly and I'm not happy with it at all," NSU coach Pete Adrian said. DeAngelo Branche's 1-yard run with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter was the lone touchdown by the Spartans.

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ATTENDANCE: 10,152 (82.8%) at Zable Stadium, Williamsburg, VA (Capacity: 12,259).

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