Norfolk, VA- The Virginia State University Trojans stun the NSU Spartans 33-24 in a thriller to start the season 1-0.
The rivalry between these two teams is just as heavy as the history. Today the Trojans not only came away with the win on the field, but VSU also won the annual giving challenge as both teams raised over $500,000.
Steve Williams spearheaded the VSU offense completing 13 of 19 passes for 133-yards and a touchdown. Jordan Davis went 3 of 4 for 38-yards
The Trojans offensive efforts were pioneered by Upton Bailey with 187 yards on 18 carries.
Chantz Baylor led the Trojan defense in tackles with 9 total, 7 solo. While, Willie Drew recorded 4 tackles and the only interception of the game.
Norfolk State set the tempo early with a fumble recovery on the Trojans opening drive that setup a 7-play drive, capped off by a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Norfolk's Henry.
The Trojans demonstrated poise and patience before answering back with an 80-yard touchdown run from Bailey to make it a ball game early, tied 7-7.
VSU experienced several costly mistakes as the first quarter expired and the offense appeared to be shaking off some early jitters. The Spartans managed to nail a 26-yard field goal and a 13-yard touchdown reception on 3rd & 10 to go up 17-7 with 2:37 left in the opening quarter.
Despite the up and down start, the Trojans came out ready for war in the second stanza. VSU's run game delivered once again as Kymani Clarke danced into the end-zone seven plays later for a 16-yard run to cut the Spartan's lead to 17-13.
The Trojan defense held the Spartans to three & out on the next drive to get the offense back on the field quick.
On the next drive Williams connected with Malik Hunter for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Trojans their first lead of the game 20-17. VSU took that lead into halftime.
Norfolk State received the ball to start the second half and marched down the field capping off a 13-play, 57-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass as NSU reclaimed a 24-20 lead with 8:45 left in the third.
The Trojans trailed the Spartans 24-20 heading into the final quarter, but the game was far from over.
Roy Jackson III snagged a huge 24-yard pass from Williams to advance the Trojans to the NSU 2-yard line and a quarterback keeper from Williams finished the job giving VSU the lead 27-24 with just over 13 minutes remaining on the game clock.
Both teams failed to revisit the end zone and the game was seemingly over.
VSU counted on running out the clock on their way to victory but the Spartans defense stopped the Trojans just shy of a first down.
Despite the results of the play the Trojans began to celebrate but VSU would have to wait a little longer after the game officials placed a single second back on the clock giving NSU a shot at a field goal to send the game into overtime.
What fans didn't anticipate was that a bad snap would result in a loose ball recovery and a 77-yard touchdown at the hands of redshirt-Freshman Dante Clark to seal the deal and give the Trojans a hard fought and well deserved 33-24 victory.
The Trojans will be back in action for their home opener against Tusculum University on September 9th at Rogers Stadium.
