N.C. A&T vs NSU Game Notes

[Aggie77]

SETTING THE STAGE
Norfolk State celebrates Homecoming and honors its 20 seniors this Saturday when it faces North Carolina A&T. The final home game of the season for the Spartans also carries MEAC title implications as both teams are in the thick of the championship race. If the Spartans win their remaining three games, they will win the MEAC title and represent the conference in the FCS playoffs. A&T, meanwhile, has been one of the surprise teams in the conference race this season and remains a prime contender for the title. A&T also controls its own destiny, but has four remaining conference games beginning this week.

NSU had its five-game winning streak snapped and dropped its fi rst MEAC game of the season last Thursday, falling to Bethune-Cookman 14-6 in an ESPNU televised game at Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans were held to a season-low 249 yards of offense, and surrendered a season-high 245 rushing yards to the Wildcats. NSU’s only scoring came off the foot of Everett Goldberg, who connected on fi eld goals of 47 and 50 yards. NSU had a chance for a potential game-tying drive in the final minute of the contest, but a Chris Walley pass was intercepted in the end zone with 51 seconds left.

North Carolina A&T also suffered its first MEAC loss of the season last week, dropping a 35-28 overtime decision at Howard last Saturday. The loss dropped the Aggies to 4-3 overall, 3-1 in the MEAC, but A&T remains one of three one-loss conference teams, along with NSU and Morgan State. A&T surrendered the go-ahead touchdown in overtime, and had a fourth-and-goal running play by quarterback Lewis Kindle stopped at the Bison 1-yard line to end the game. Running back Mike Mayhew led the Aggie offense with 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Kindle passed for 162
yards and one score.

MEDIA COVERAGE
• Radio: NSU Sports Network, WXTG 102.1 FM/1490 AM The Game, WNSB Hot 91.1 FM, (Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Markeece Preston)
• Video Stream: www.nsuspartans.com/showcase/ (requires subscription)
• Audio Stream: www.nsuspartans.com (click “Live Audio” link under Inside Athletics tab)
• Live Stats: www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/football

THE SERIES
• This will be the 37th meeting all-time between NSU and North Carolina A&T.
• The Aggies hold a 26-10 edge in the series.
• NSU has won fi ve of the last seven games between the teams, which followed a nine-game winning streak by the Aggies.

THE COACHES
Norfolk State: Pete Adrian (West Virginia ‘70)
Overall: 76-72-1 (14th season)
At NSU: 40-35 (7th season)
vs. NCAT: 4-2

North Carolina A&T: Rod Broadway (UNC ‘77)
Overall: 72-26 (9th season)
At NCAT: 4-3 (1st season)
vs. NSU: 0-0

QUICK HITS
• The Spartan senior class needs one more win to top last year’s seniors as the winningest class since 1985. This year’s group has 26 wins in the last four years, the same number the 2010 class ended with. The 1985 group fi nished with 27 wins from 1982-85.
• The Spartans had won nine straight games over FCS opponents prior to their loss to Bethune-Cookman last Thursday night.
• NSU is just 2-4 in its last six homecoming games, including a 17-13 loss to Florida A&M last year.

Read Move:
www.nsuspartans.com/documents/2011/10/26/2011Game9_NCAT.pdf?id=897

[Aggie77]

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


By Chris Carlson
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 27, 2011

NORFOLK

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.

But rarely do MEAC teams get an opportunity with 22 seniors, the largest group in the conference. All but six have used a redshirt year.

Next season, Norfolk State loses a kicker who hasn't missed a kick, a left tackle who hasn't missed a game despite a dislocated elbow and a quarterback who rarely misses open receivers.

Seven of the seniors start on the MEAC's top-rated defense, including two linemen who have kept a patchwork group from getting run over. Five linebackers depart from the team's strongest unit.

"Everybody felt it in the beginning of the season and after we'd seen the level of competition that this was our chance," Hammond said. "We just have to carry it out and finish it. Just finish it."

Read More:
hamptonroads.com/2011/10/seniors-nsu-spartans-its-do-or-die

[scaggie09]

Can't wait... HOPEFULLY there will be plenty of Aggies in Price on Saturday....

[saabman]

Let the show begin !!!