Norfolk State to Partner with Daktronics for new LED Video Display at Dick Price Stadium

Marty Miller
Director of Athletics
Norfolk State University

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., has chosen Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq-DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., to design, manufacture and install a new, integrated LED video display system at William "Dick" Price Stadium. Installation is scheduled for later this year with first use at a Spartan home football game in fall of 2012.

“These new displays will make a big impact in our football stadium,” Director of Athletics Marty Miller said. “The technology is outstanding. Daktronics is the leader in this industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing the displays in action next season. The new system will open new avenues for sponsorships and increase revenue for the athletics department.”

On the west side of the football field, a new video display measuring more than 17 feet high by 47 feet wide will be installed. This display, which will feature Daktronics 15HD technology, will incorporate excellent clarity and contrast of images, multiple levels of protection from the elements and a more robust cabinet design with an improved ventilation system. It is capable of showing one large image, highlighting live video and instant replays. It can also be divided into separate windows to show a variety of vivid graphics, colorful animations, up-to-the-minutes statistics, scoring information and sponsor advertisements with outstanding brightness and wide-angle visibility.

READ MORE

NSU wins 4th MEAC cross country title in row

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Norfolk State won its fourth consecutive MEAC men's cross country title Saturday at Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Spartans finished with 30 points. Florida A&M was second with 54.

Hampton won the women's title with 53 points. The Spartans women were fifth.

NSU's Josef Tessema was the individual winner, completing the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 24.73 seconds. It was Tessema's fourth straight all-conference honor.

Other Spartans to earn all-MEAC honors: Vincent Rono (sixth in 26:25.75), Amos Kipkosgei (eighth, 26:32.74), Philemon Kimutai (19th, 26:48.55) and Damtew Adnew (13th, 27:07.19).

READ MORE



NSU Men Win 4th Straight MEAC Cross Country Title, Women Place 5th

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The Norfolk State men’s cross country team won its fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and 11th in the last 12 years on Saturday morning on the campus of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Spartans amassed 30 points. Florida A&M was second with 54.

Hampton won the women’s title with 53 points. The Spartan women placed fifth with 162 points.

The Spartan men were paced by senior Josef Tessema, who won his first title. He finished the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 24.73 seconds to give NSU its third individual champion in the last four years. It was Tessema’s fourth straight all-conference honor.

READ MORE

For seniors on NSU Spartans, it's do or die

NORFOLK, Virginia -- All Norfolk State had to do to win a championship in 2007 was win its final MEAC game. Despite needing to win their final three games this season, the Spartans feel even closer to their first MEAC title this time around.

The Spartans should be favored in all three and face championship expectations for the first time since the program moved to the FCS level in 1997. "This has to be it," senior linebacker Corwin Hammond said. "It has to be the year."



In 2007, the Spartans went on the road to play Delaware State in a winner-take-all conference game. The Spartans surprised Delaware State, then ranked No. 10 in the country, by taking a lead before blowing the game in the fourth quarter.

This time, North Carolina A&T is the toughest team on NSU's schedule, but the Spartans have home-field advantage. Afterward come road contests with MEAC creampuff Savannah State and Morgan State, which has a 3-1 MEAC record against suspect competition.

READ MORE

Bethune-Cookman shuts down Norfolk State, hands Spartans first MEAC loss

Norfolk, Virginia -- Isidore Jackson rushed for a career-high 206 yards on 34 carries, and Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone in the final minute to seal Bethune-Cookman’s 14-6 win over Norfolk State in an ESPNU-televised MEAC contest Thursday evening at Dick Price Stadium.

The loss is the first in MEAC play for the Spartans (6-2, 4-1), who had their five-game winning streak snapped and had made the national polls -- at No. 24 in The Sports Network rankings -- for the first time since 2007. B-CU improved to 4-3, 2-2.

NSU was held to a season-low 249 yards of offense by the Wildcats, who never trailed. NSU failed to score a TD against an FCS opponent for the first time since a 43-3 loss to B-CU in 2004, a span of 70 games.

B-CU struck first on a 2-yard Anthony Jordan run with 4:08 left in the first quarter. That capped a 14-play, 88-yard drive. The Spartans cut the deficit to 7-3 on a 50-yard Everett Goldberg field goal with just 2:18 left before halftime.

READ MORE



Bethune-Cookman stuns Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Viriginia -- With Ryan Davis wreaking havoc on defense and Isidore Jackson doing the same on offense, Bethune-Cookman overpowered 24th-ranked Norfolk State 14-6 Thursday night at Dick Price Stadium.

B-CU shut down Norfolk State's high-powered offense most of the night, but the Spartans drove to B-CU's 4 in the final minute with a chance to pull out the win until Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone to clinch the victory.

The Wildcats (4-3, 2-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) have little hope of winning the conference championship this year, but they were able to play spoiler in handing the Spartans (6-2, 4-1) their first MEAC loss.

They did it by playing power football. Led by defensive end Davis, B-CU kept pressure on Walley all game, holding the conference's top quarterback to 88 yards passing. On offense, the 'Cats kept handing the ball to the rugged Jackson, and he continuously punched holes through the Spartans' defensive front.

READ MORE



Though at home, NSU looked out of its element

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State on Thursday night played its first football game in four years as a nationally ranked team. The Spartans, 24th in the Football Championship Subdivision, also played their third game in 13 days.

They looked significantly more like a team running on fumes, from the 94-yard touchdown drive they yielded to Bethune-Cookman in the first quarter to the interception at the goal line that ended their hopes in the final minute.

Whether it was fatigue, malaise or the unfamiliar dynamic of a midweek night game Dick Price Stadium hasn’t seen since 2005 – likely it was a stew of them all – Norfolk State sputtered through a 14-6 loss to the MEAC-rival Wildcats.

The bright side of NSU’s uncharacteristic display for a crowd announced at 10,053 is that, in this interesting season’s scheme of things, the loss is immaterial to the Spartans’ drive for their first conference title.

READ MORE

QB battle: Norfolk's stability, vs. B-CU's versatility

Daytona Beach, Florida - They say that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. So what does it mean if you have three? The perfect situation, according to Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins. Norfolk State, on the other hand, has one established starter under center in Chris Walley, who leads the Mid Eastern-Athletic Conference with 1,660 yards passing.

The approaches may be different, but you can't argue with the results. The top two offensive teams in the conference will square off tonight in Norfolk, Va., in front of a nationally televised audience. "It's going to be a good football game," Jenkins said. "A good football game."

Bethune-Cookman at Norfolk State

WHERE: Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. TV: ESPNU 
INTERNET: ESPN3
RADIO: WELE (1380 AM), Daytona Beach 



Norfolk State (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) is trying to remain undefeated in the conference, while B-CU (3-3, 1-2) is trying to get back in the race.

 "Bethune-Cookman is another great football team with a lot of great talent. They have three quarterbacks and they can all play," said Spartans coach Pete Adrian, a former defensive coordinator at B-CU and head coach at Deltona High.

READ MORE

Norfolk State - Bethune-Cookman to play in prime time

Norfolk, Virginia -- Norfolk State didn't have much time to celebrate last weekend's 34-24 win over Hampton in the annual Battle of the Bay or the program's first FCS ranking (No. 25) since 2007.

The Spartans (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) meet visiting Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 1-2) on Thursday night at 7:30 in a game that will be televised by ESPNU. With the condensed week, NSU coach Pete Adrian said he began preparations Saturday night, shortly after the win over HU.

"It does make it very interesting, and for some extremely long hours," he said. "But that's what you've got to do." The Spartans haven't been ranked since a two-week stay in the poll four years ago.

"It's nice to see one of our conference teams get some national recognition, but it really doesn't mean a whole lot," Adrian said of the ranking. "You've got to just keep on playing and trying to win. If you keep winning, it will take care of itself."

READ MORE




Spartans, 'Cats still rivals

Daytona Beach, Florida -- If you want to know what's become of the recent Norfolk State-Bethune-Cookman rivalry, listen to Wildcats second-year coach Brian Jenkins' appraisal of the Spartans' program. "Norfolk State has always been a good football team," Jenkins said. "They were a good football team last year, and they're a good football team this year."

And that's just it. Jenkins' history with Norfolk State goes back just two years. His Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) will try to hand the Spartans (6-1, 4-0) their first conference loss of the season Thursday night in Norfolk, Va., in a game nationally televised by ESPNU.

Norfolk State has not always been a good football team. When head coach Pete Adrian arrived in 2005, the Spartans were coming off two successive one-win seasons. Just two years later, Adrian's team finished 8-3 and came within one game (an overtime loss to eventual champ Delaware State) of winning its first MEAC title.

Adrian again has the Spartans in position to win the conference. So there's plenty of incentive for Norfolk State to be fired up Thursday night when it meets the high-scoring Wildcats. But just a couple of years ago, just the mention of the other school would fire up the teams.

READ MORE

GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
INTERNET: ESPN3

Bishop's Jessica Johnson commits to Norfolk State

Land O' Lakes, Florida -- Bishop McLaughlin senior volleyball player Jessica Johnson has verbally committed to Norfolk State, Hurricanes coach Douglas Chinchar said Tuesday.

Johnson visited the MEAC school in Virginia over the weekend. She plans to sign in the early signing period next month, when she would become the first volleyball player in Bishop history to sign with a Division I program, Chinchar said. She also made an official visit to Maryland Eastern Shore.

Johnson, an outside hitter, is among the North Suncoast’s leaders in aces (1.4 per game) and kills (5.1 per game). She has 995 kills in her high school career and will likely record her 1,000th this week.



READ MORE

Norfolk State cracks Top 25 for first time since 2007

Norfolk, Virginia -- No. 24 is not enough.

That's where the Norfolk State football team sits in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 poll released Monday. It's the first national ranking for NSU since 2007.

FCS/FATHEAD.COM TOP 25

Team (No. 1 votes)	Record	Points	Pvs.
1. Ga. Southern (125)	6-0	3,871	1
2. Northern Iowa (18)	5-1	3,732	2
3. N. Dakota State (9)	6-0	3,509	4
4. Montana State (2)	6-1	3,502	3
5. Wofford (3)	5-1	3,354	5
6. Appalachian State	4-2	2,957	6
7. Sam Houston State	6-0	2,808	10
8. Lehigh	6-1	2,795	8
9. Maine	5-1	2,481	12
10. Jacksonville State	5-1	2,480	11
11. James Madison	5-2	2,275	13
12. Montana	5-2	2,083	14
13. New Hampshire	4-2	2,062	6
14. William and Mary	4-3	1,882	16
15. Towson	5-1	1,795	17
16. Delaware	4-3	1,371	9
17. Indiana State	5-2	1,235	21
18. Richmond	3-3	843	20
19. Alabama State	6-1	768	24
20. North Dakota	4-2	747	23
21. Old Dominion	5-2	671	18
22. Massachusetts	4-2	668	NR
23. Jackson State	6-1	529	25
24. Norfolk State	6-1	511	NR
25. South Dakota	4-3	477	15

That didn't satisfy linebacker Corwin Hammond.

"My dad and I were talking about it today," Hammond said. "We're No. 24. I'm not going to name names, but there are teams ahead of us with three losses. If we're unbeaten in the MEAC, we should at least be ahead of teams with three losses. But those things have never respected us. It's why we always play with a chip on our shoulder."

READ MORE

Norfolk State wins Battle of the Bay, beats Hampton U. 34-24

Norfolk, Virginia -- Norfolk State's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship is now a little closer to reality, while Hampton's first league title since 2006 slipped further out of reach.

The Spartans jumped out to a 20-point lead, then held off a second-half rally to beat the Pirates 34-24 on Saturday at Dick Price Stadium in the 49th annual Battle of the Bay. Norfolk State improved to 6-1 for the second time since joining the Division I ranks in 1997 and 4-0 in the MEAC for the first time since 2007, while Hampton fell to 3-3 and 1-2.

"We preached to our guys all week: This is why you play the game, to be in a position like this and kind of control your destiny," third-year HU coach Donovan Rose said. " … It's real tough. You can't allow a team to get 27 points in the first half."



READ MORE


Norfolk State loving its spread, thriving in Walley World

NORFOLK, Virginia — With Saturday's 34-24 win over Hampton University, Norfolk State is 6-1 for only the second time since becoming moving up to Division I in 1997. But to trace the Spartans' success, go back to a four-game stretch last fall in which they went 0-4 and scored only two offensive touchdowns.

No coach relishes changing his offensive scheme with four weeks left in the season, but that's what NSU's Pete Adrian felt compelled to do. And ever they ditched the power game and went with the no-huddle spread, the Spartans are 10-1 and averaging 29 points a game.

Norfolk State raced out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead thanks to premium field position. Hampton won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, leaving the Pirates playing into a stiff wind that played a role in punts of 23 and 28 yards on their first two possessions. Those kicks gave the Spartans the ball at the Hampton 39 and 29, and Norfolk State scored touchdowns on both abbreviated drives.

READ MORE


Big plays at right time put Walley, NSU in rarefied air

NORFOLK, Virginia - A few minutes before kickoff Saturday, the Norfolk State band played its team onto the field to "We Are the Champions." The Spartans, who remain undefeated in the MEAC, like the sound of that, but for the time being, they'd be happy to be included in the FCS top 25. They will be now.

"Hard to keep us out at six and one," coach Pete Adrian said after his team defeated Hampton 34-24 at Dick Price Stadium.

Norfolk State knocked on the door last week, finishing 26th in the vote. The door started to come off its hinges when the Spartans jumped to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. By then, Chris Walley had already thrown two of his three first-half touchdown passes en route to racking up 265 yards through the air.

READ MORE

Hampton, Norfolk State to renew 'Battle of the Bay'

Norfolk, Virginia – Hampton football coach Don Rose is headed to his native Norfolk on Saturday, but he laughs nobody will be giving him a homecoming. He knows Norfolk State is not in the giving mood this season. The Spartans have surrendered the ball only three times this season, which is tied for the fewest turnovers in the FCS.

Not surprisingly, Norfolk State is off to a 5-1 start and sits atop the MEAC with a 3-0 conference record. That factor adds to the Spartans' 49th meeting with neighboring Hampton in the "Battle of the Bay" at Dick Price Stadium.




Hampton (3-2, 1-1) risks falling out of the MEAC title race if it doesn't pull an upset. The meeting features an excellent showdown of two of the conference's top quarterbacks, Hampton's David Legree and Norfolk State's Chris Walley. Each signal-caller went over 300 passing yards last weekend to set a career high.

"The conference standings, that's fine. And the rivalry, that's fine," Rose said. "You know it comes down to you've got two teams and there's only one that's going to come out victorous. The team that executes the best (in) the six inches between the ears will take care of that battle."



READ MORE

Norfolk State Volleyball vs. Howard Lady Bison -- Highlights

LADY BISON CAPTURE FIRST CONFERENCE GAME

NORFOLK, Virginia  – The Howard University Lady Bison (2-17, 1-2 MEAC) defeated fourth-place, Norfolk State (5-10, 1-2 MEAC) in five sets on Sunday night.

"This was a great win for us," said head coach Dawn Barnes. "It was a group effort and well deserved. Norfolk State did a great job offensively and defensively and did not make this easy at all. You had two teams that really played hard."

Howard started the game with a 25-21 victory in set one. Sets two and three were tough for the Lady Bison coming up short 21-25 and 24-26. The Spartans put up a tough crowd and technique, but the Lady Bison put up some solid points that gained momentum. Assistant Coach Russ held down the strategy for the Lady Bison. "We watched film and studied these girls, technically we were ready, all we had to do was go out there and shut them down," says Russ.



The Lady Bison highlighted on the Spartans' weaknesses and it showed in the match taking sets four and five 26-24 and 15-12 to win the match. Freshman Stephanie Shultis had a major solo block to win the fourth set making it harder for the Spartans to capture the Lady Bison.

Set five was rolling for Howard as they kept the ball away from the Spartans the first six points. The Spartans showed signs of aggression as they tried to make a come back, but HU held on strong to their lead finishing the match with a win. Spartan fans left empty handed as the Lady Bison cheered and showed school spirit.

Outside hitter Tosin Elebute finished with a game high of 25 kills and 16 digs charting a double-double. Freshman, middle blocker Assata Conway put down seven balls for the Lady Bison. Heather Long had a game high of five kills hitting a perfect game. Both setters, Jasmine King and Stephanie Shultis had 21 assists a piece. Riana Cain picked up 20 balls.

Defensively, both teams had 66 digs, but the Spartans out blocked the Lady bison 13 to 9. On the other hand, the Lady Bison finished with better hitting percentages after each set than the Spartans. "I knew [Norfolk State] were all waiting to block me, but I wasn't having it," says Elebute, "I was going to play my game for my team because I realize I play a major role."

For NSU, Charlotte Armstead put down 17 balls. Adriana Ramos had 11 kills and 14 digs finishing with a double-double. Beatriz Ferreira had 12 kills followed by Jasmine Frazier with ten kills. Setter Kristen Burt finished with 44 assists.

The Lady Bison split the weekend and will look to carry the momentum as they head to face Coppin State on Fri. Oct. 14.

By Jasmine King, Volleyball, Public Relations 2013
VISIT: HOWARDBISON
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Hometown showdown between Old Dominion and Norfolk State?

Norfolk, Virginia -- Picture this: Thanksgiving weekend.

Perfect fall weather. And a playoff game between Old Dominion and Norfolk State at Foreman Field. It could be a reality. With both teams hot, ODU athletic director Wood Selig is moving forward with plans to make an official bid to host a first-round playoff game in this season's NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. Selig said he will meet with a number of school officials today to discuss the prospects. The NCAA requires a minimum bid of $30,000 to host a first- or second-round game.

"I think it would be an interesting game in the fact that we just signed a six-year contract to play Norfolk State" beginning in 2013, Selig said. "It would be a great preview for what's coming down the road."

Selig received the NCAA's 40-page prechampionship manual Monday and believes the site selection criteria play to ODU's strengths.

Norfolk State beats Delaware State 38-21

(Photo by Mark's Digital Photography)

DOVER, Del.--The Norfolk State football team maintained its hold on first place in the MEAC with a 38-21 win at Delaware State on Saturday.

Quarterback Chris Walley completed 28 of 37 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a third to pace the Spartans (5-1, 3-0 MEAC) over the Hornets (2-4, 0-3) and set up an interesting Battle of the Bay matchup with Hampton next Saturday.

Norfolk State took a 24-7 lead into halftime and Matthew Grant stopped the Hornets’ only real chance to make the contest close by blocking a 27-yard field goal on Delaware State’s first drive of the second half. The blocked kick was Grant’s third of the season.

READ MORE

Spartans "deserve" MEAC title if they run table, Pough says

Norfolk State is now in the driver’s seat for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. A look at the Spartans’ remaining six conference games looks more than favorable with their two toughest remaining games (Hampton on Oct. 15 and Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 20) taking play at home and three winnable road games at Delaware State today, Savannah State on Nov. 5 and Morgan State on Nov. 12.

Should Norfolk State run the table to claim the MEAC title outright, South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough is already lining up to be among the first to give a congratulatory call to head coach Pete Adrian.

"If they win both those guys, let me tell you something. They deserve it," Pough said. "If they beat South Carolina State, Hampton and Bethune, then let me tell you something. They deserve to be conference champions. I’ll pat them on the back and say ‘Go get them’ and we’ll try again next time."

READ MORE

NSU Spartans have a score to settle with DSU Hornets

Norfolk, VA -- History is on Hasan Craig's side. Delaware State's poor record and three straight blowout losses might normally have Norfolk State looking ahead to games against Hampton and Bethune-Cookman. Craig, a senior linebacker, has the team looking back instead.

In 2007, the Spartans went to Delaware State, where a win would have clinched NSU's first MEAC championship. Instead, the Hornets scored 25 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of a 28-21 win, ending the best chance Norfolk State has had at a MEAC championship.



"I remember being so happy and then, at the end of the game, so hurt," said Craig, who played with the team that year before redshirting his sophomore year due to injury. "Like someone ripped my heart out."

The Hornets tied the game on a 28-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, then won it by scoring a touchdown in overtime and stopping NSU on downs.

READ MORE

NSU Spartan Defense Stands Tall as NSU Knocks off SCSU

NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State linebacker Onyemechi Anyaugo returned a second-quarter fumble 84 yards for a touchdown, and the Spartan defense came up with a key goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter to knock off three-time defending MEAC champion and 22nd-ranked South Carolina State 17-14 on Saturday afternoon in the Fish Bowl Classic at Dick Price Stadium.

The win gives the Spartans (4-1, 2-0 MEAC) just their second-ever win over a ranked FCS team in 24 tries, their third win in 17 games against SCSU, and ends the Bulldogs’ 15-game MEAC road winning streak. SCSU (2-3, 2-1) had not lost a road conference game since falling to NSU, 20-13, on Oct. 6, 2007.




The Spartans trailed 7-3 and the Bulldogs appeared ready to add to their lead just before halftime when SCSU’s Courtney Ingram blocked a Troy Muenzer punt, setting the Bulldogs up at NSU’s 11-yard line with 26 seconds left in the second quarter. But on first down, NSU defender Chad Battles hit running back Jalen Simmons in the backfield and forced a fumble, which Anyaugo scooped up and returned 84 yards up the sideline for a 10-7 NSU lead.

The Spartans added to their lead late in the third quarter with a three-play, 62-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Chris Walley capped the drive with 2-yard TD run to make it 17-7 with 1:40 left in the quarter. The big play on the drive was Walley’s 41-yard completion to Xavier Boyce, which included a personal foul on SCSU at the end of Boyce’s run.

READ MORE



'Kick in the gut': S.C. State loses to Norfolk State, 17-14

NORFOLK, Va. - Buddy Pough was struggling for answers Saturday night. Two plays that he called "kicks in the gut" - one to end the first, one to all but end the second - had Pough in a place that he has only been twice in his South Carolina State football team's last 27 MEAC games, trying to explain a conference loss.

And, yet, Pough insisted he was not down on his team following its 17-14 loss to Norfolk State. "We made too many mistakes," Pough said. "We gave them too many chances, but we fought our way back in it. If there is ever a time you feel good about the amount of fight in your kids, it's these times that make you feel that way."

The final "kick in the gut" came with 3:36 to go in the game when S.C. State kicker Blake Erickson's potentially game-tying 20-yard field goal pushed wide left. Norfolk State took over and ran out the clock against the stunned visitors from Orangeburg.

READ MORE

NSU report: South Carolina State offense may be problematic

Norfolk, VA - Norfolk State has seen this offense before, just not quite like this. South Carolina runs a spread offense predicated on a single play and single player, much like the offenses run by Charleston Southern and Howard - teams the Spartans have shut down this season.

The zone read quarterback run, recently brought to prominence by Tim Tebow and then Cam Newton, will be a big part of the Bulldog offense. South Carolina State quarterback Derrick Wiley might not be as effective as the aforementioned, he is better than both quarterbacks the Spartans previously faced.



"They're almost identical as far as scheme is concerned...," head coach Pete Adrian said. "They have a lot better players, which presents a problem."

READ MORE

NSU ready for defending MEAC champs

READ MORE

Norfolk coach says MEAC trying to catch up to S.C. State

Coach Pete Adrian

Norfolk, VA - If head coach Buddy Pough is playing down his 22nd-ranked South Carolina State football team's credentials, his opposition Saturday afternoon is doing the complete opposite.

Norfolk State head football coach Pete Adrian had nothing but praise for the Bulldogs during Tuesday's weekly Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teleconference, while insisting his team faces an uphill battle at Dick Price Stadium.

"South Carolina State's the three-time defending champions and they're playing very well," Adrian said. "They have a lot of depth on both sides of the football. They've got just about two of everything that we're seeing. They play with great passion. They always play really hard and everybody in the conference is trying to catch them. I don't know if they'll ever get caught or not, but it's a typical South Carolina State team. They're going to hit you in the mouth and smile at you and play hard and see how you respond to it."

READ MORE

Charleston Southern Falls 33-3 to NSU Spartans in Home Opener

NSU Spartans
(Photo Credit: Mark Sutton Digital Photograpy)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – After three weeks on the road, the CSU football team had a tough homecoming as they fell to the Norfolk State Spartans 33-3 on Saturday in the home opener at Buccaneer Field in Charleston, S.C.

The Buccaneers finished the day with 141 yards of total offense to NSU’s 519. They were also outgained on the ground 234-55 by the Spartans, and picked up 86 yards of through the air to NSU’s 285 passing yards. The Bucs were able to pick up 11 first downs on the afternoon, while NSU came away with 24. Both teams were 100 percent on fourth down conversions, while each converted on five third downs as well.

Quarterback Malcolm Dixon led the Bucs, going 7-of-19 with one interception for a total of 86 passing yards – season high for the sophomore. Teddy Allen led the run with 17 carries for a total of 29 yards, but it was BJ Hackworth who had the longest run of the day at 10 yards. He ended up with 15 yards on eight carries, while Dixon carried the ball 17 times himself. Kirby Broome led the receivers with 28 yards on two catches, while Nathan Perera and Kevin Glears had 19 and 13 receiving yards, respectively.

Once again, Andy Brown was one of the highlights of the day as he punted eight times for 339 yards, averaging a solid 42.4 yards per punt with two inside the 20 and one touchback. He was 1-for-2 on field goals. Chris Kuzdale’s career-high 16 tackles led the CSU defense, while Daniel Dieudonne and Matt Hardy each had solid efforts with 12 and 11 stops, respectively. Isaac Lowrance recorded the Bucs’ lone sack of the day for a loss of five yards, and totaled two tackles for loss. Zac Johnston, who ended the day with eight tackles, also recorded to stops for a loss of six yards.

NSU’s Chris Walley was 20-of-23 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Xavier Boyce was the most targeted receiver with nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Victor Hairston’s 122 receiving yards led all players. Takeem Hedgeman added another 105 yards on the ground for the Spartans, while Nico Flores picked up 48 yards on 13 carries.

Box Score

READ MORE



Spartans Improve to 3-1 with 33-3 Rout of Charleston Southern

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Chris Walley completed 20 of 23 passes for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and the Spartans outgained host Charleston Southern 519-141 en route to a 33-3 non-conference win on Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Field.

The win helped the Spartans improve to 3-1 overall, their best start since 2007. They did it in dominating fashion, rolling up a season-high 519 yards in total offense while their defense allowed a season-low 141 in their third straight win over a Big South opponent.

Running back Takeem Hedgeman ran for a career-high 105 yards on 15 carries, and receivers Victor Hairston and Xavier Boyce both topped the 100-yard receiving mark and caught a touchdown pass for NSU.

The defense got 12 tackles from linebacker Corwin Hammond and a season-high four sacks from four different players. Marcus Center accounted for the only turnover of the game with a fourth-quarter interception, the first of his career.

The Spartans jumped on the Buccaneers (0-4) early, outscoring them 17-0 in the first quarter. NSU took the opening kickoff and drove 85 yards in 12 plays, with Walley finding Boyce on a 13-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead. After a three-and-out by CSU, the Spartans needed just one play to score their next TD. Walley hit Hairston across the middle. Hairston broke one tackle, made another man miss and sprinted 67 yards for his team-leading third touchdown of the season, giving NSU a 14-0 lead.

READ MORE

NSU: Charleston Southern scouting report

Charleston, SC - Charleston Southern went 3-8 last year and finished 1-5 in the Big South. It has two first-team preseason All-Big South Conference players in defensive back Charles James and offensive lineman Levi McFatter (what a name for a lineman by the way. Good thing he’s plenty strong).

The Bucs were predicted to finish tied for fourth in the seven-team league in the coaches preseason poll and returned seven defensive starters and four offensive ones. The last time Charleston Southern played a current MEAC team was 2009, when it beat Savannah State 47-10. The Bucs have been beaten badly by two FBS programs – Central Florida and Florida State – with a third loss against Jacksonville, which is 1-1 and beat Old Dominion last year. The Bucs are playing their home opener, but with an average crowd of under 3,300, NSU shouldn’t have to worry about the intensity of the venue.




Charleston Southern had the second-worst defense in the country last year, giving up 41.55 points per game,

READ MORE