Norfolk, Va. (Sept. 7, 2024)- The Virginia State University football team traveled down to old CIAA rival Norfolk State for the second straight year. After the Trojans won last year's contest the Spartans got revenge this year pulling out a close 28-23 victory.  

After VSU had to punt on their opening drive, Norfolk State wasted little time hitting a 60-yard passing touchdown to cap a 5 play 80-yard drive. The Trojans then answered with a long 12-play 92-yard drive that was capped off with a Kevin Gayles 22-yard receiving touchdown to tie the game at seven. At the end of the first quarter Romelo Williams made a huge throw to Malik Hunter who tiptoed on the sideline to give VSU the first down at Norfolk State's 45-yard line. 

Jimmyll Williams rushed straight into the endzone from the two-yard line to give VSU a 14-7 lead after an eight play 60-yard drive at the 12:19 mark. During the drive Hunter made two huge catches to give VSU a first down. It only took two minutes for the Spartans to answer with a 14-yard touchdown run. After forcing a Trojan punt, NSU had a sustained drive but faced a fourth and one VSU 31 and converted it continuing to chew clock.  

The Spartans recorded their second passing touchdown to complete an eight-play drive that took four minutes off the clock. The Trojans got the ball back with 4:01 left to score before halftime but were forced into a three and out for the second straight possession. The Spartans used all the time left in the half to march down and attempt a field goal, but was missed short, making the halftime score 21-14. 

Starting the third quarter Norfolk State used its running game to get them to the 50-yard line, then converted a third and long to a swing pass to their running back which got them to the VSU 34-yard line. Another third and long saw the Spartans go back to pass and Jayshaun Alston got to the quarterback for a strip sack which was then recovered by Cameron Davis who returned it to the Spartans 43-yard line. However, Norfolk State got their first turnover of the game with an interception, on the first offensive play in the second half for the Trojans, at their 24. Then, as NSU was driving down the field, Donovan Howard picked the ball off his own tip and returned it 50 yards to Norfolk States 30-yard line to set up the offense. While the offense couldn't find the endzone a field goal by Joshua Campbell put the first points up in the third period with 2:34 remaning making it 21-17. 

The Spartans retook the ball late in the third quarter and only needed two minutes into the fourth stanza for their running back to score a 64-yard rushing touchdown making it 28-17. The Trojans were forced to punt the ball away on their first drive in the fourth period. The Trojans forced a Spartans three and out to retake the ball with nine minutes left at their own 34-yard line. R. Williams kept the ball on the read option to score a six-yard touchdown, but the two-point attempt was just missed, making the score 28-23 with 5:13 left in the game. The Spartans were able to run out the clock and win 28-23. 

J. Williams ended the game with 21 rushing attempts for 60 yards and a touchdown; Hunter led the team with five receptions for 72 yards while defensively Howard recorded eight tackles and one interception. 

The Trojans moved to 1-1 while Norfolk State recorded their first win and improved to 1-2. VSU has a bye next week before welcoming Winston-Salem State University on September 21 at 1 p.m. which will be televised by HBCU Go.