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With a dominating 44-21 victory over the Delaware State Hornets, the Norfolk State Spartans finally snap their five-game losing streak. The Spartans had been searching for that elusive third win of the season since Week 4 when they defeated Towson 21-14. During the losing streak, Norfolk State lost four of the five games by a touchdown or less. Although they lost 38-24 to the now 8-2 North Carolina Central Eagles, the score was close for a good portion of the game.
Meanwhile, Delaware State drops to 1-9 on the season after this loss. They haven't tasted victory since Week 5 when they defeated Virginia University of Lynchburg 48-10. The Hornets have had some close losses mixed in with blowouts from the University of Richmond, South Carolina State University, Army, Miami University of Ohio, and now Norfolk State University.
Almost right after the game started, Norfolk State took a 7-0 lead. On second down, quarterback Cameron Sapp took a sack to bring up a third-and-11. Running back Xzavion Evans burst past the nest of Hornets defenders for a 66-yard touchdown run. The Spartans' opening drive took less than 90 seconds.
After a Delaware State punt, Spartan running back Kevon King had a 40-yard rush to put his team just outside the red zone. The Spartans stalled, so they walked away with just three points instead of seven. Luckily for them, they got the ball back after Hornet quarterback Marqui Adams threw an interception to defensive back Terron Mallory. Norfolk State converted their first set of downs, but an illegal shift penalty pushed them behind the first down markers. The extra yardage proved too much to overcome, so the Spartans settled for another field goal to take an early 13-0 lead.
At the start of the second quarter, the Hornets punted the ball again. Thanks to a 39-yard rush from running back Lex Henry and a 26-yard completion to receiver Andre Pegues, the Spartans found themselves at the goal line once again. This time, Sapp ran in the touchdown for the 20-0 lead.
The next Hornet possession was astonishingly bad. With new quarterback Aaron Angelos in the game, Delaware State got called for an intentional grounding penalty which pushed them back to a first-and-21. Then, they had consecutive negative rushes of 19 and eight yards. On third-and-48, the Hornets got called for a delay of game penalty, though they could only move back another yard because they were already at their own goal line. On third-and-49, the Hornets punted the ball away.
Of course, the Spartans capitalized on the advantageous field positioning. A 19-yard completion to tight end Ikeem Wright set up King for his second touchdown of the day.
With 4:22 remaining in the half, Delaware State finally put a solid offensive drive together. Running back Marquis Gillis had an 18-yard gain to get his team into Spartan territory. A 20-yard completion to receiver Jayden Jenkins put the Hornets inside the red zone. Gillis finished the drive with a touchdown to finally get on the board.
The success, however, was short-lived for the Hornets. Norfolk State returner Taron Biles-Walker exploded for a 70-yard kickoff return with just 42 seconds remaining. With 10 seconds left, Sapp found receiver Tavian Morris for a 16-yard touchdown, taking a dominating 34-7 lead.
The game was more than over at this point. Norfolk State opened the second half with a field goal to extend their lead to 30 points. Delaware State, however, caught the Spartans by surprise with a 51-yard touchdown to receiver Rahkeem Smith. Norfolk State immediately responded with their own 56-yard completion to Pegues. Sapp threw his second touchdown of the day to tight end Gregory Perkins, giving the Spartans a 44-14 cushion going into the fourth quarter.
At the start of the final quarter, the Hornets relied only on Gillis. He consistently ran for gains of six yards or more, though Norfolk State probably didn't care given the immense deficit. Gillis basically ran from Norfolk State's 45-yard line to the end zone by himself for his second touchdown of the day. For the rest of the game, the Spartans ran clock without any real intention to score while Delaware State struggled to find much offensive progress.
After subbing in for Marqui Adams, Hornet quarterback Aaron Angelos had a decent game, all things considered. He completed nine of his 15 passing attempts for 133 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Adams attempted two passes, neither of which were completed, and one was intercepted. Receiver Rahkeem Smith and NyGhee Lolley both had three catches, but Smith turned his receptions into 67 yards and a touchdown compared to Lolley's 30 yards. Running back Marquis Gillis was the only bright spot for the Hornets. He rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Everything clicked on offense for the Spartans. Cameron Sapp was the only quarterback this week as Otto Kuhns, the previous starter, did not see the field. Sapp completed eight of his 12 passing attempts for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Andre Pegues was his favorite targeting, racking up 100 yards on his three catches. Kevon King led all rushers with 116 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Xzavion Evans finished behind him with 96 yards and a touchdown on his eight attempts.
Delaware State heads into their final game of the season next week against the 8-2 North Carolina Central Eagles.
Norfolk State returns home for their last game to face off against Buddy Pough and the 4-6 South Carolina State Bulldogs.
