The Norfolk State Spartans fell today in Washington D.C. to the Howard Bison 27-23. This is the second of four homecoming games the Spartans will play in the rest of the 2023 Campaign. This loss puts the Spartans at 2-5 (0-1) on the season dropping their first MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) game.
The Spartans elected to receive after winning the coin toss. On their first drive of the game, they were forced to punt. Howard got the ball and drove straight down the field capping off their drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Grad Student Quarterback Quinton Williams. After a failed 2 point conversion Howard takes the lead 6-0
NSU regains possession and drives down the field on an 11-play 65-yard drive ending with a 20-yard chip shot field goal by Sophmore Kicker Grandin Wilcox making the score 6-3.
After multiple 3 and outs from each team, the first quarter ends 6-3 Howard leading
The Spartans maintain possession leading into the second quarter kicking off their drive with a deep pass to Tavion Morris down the left sideline for 35 yards putting NSU in Howard’s territory. After multiple short-yardage plays the Spartans fight their way into the end zone on a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Sophmore running back Kevon King.
Howard goes three and out, then the Spartans go 3 and out but on their 43-yard punt by Noah Tracey the HU returner muffs the punt, and Redshirt Sophmore Terique Miles recovers. On the very next play, Quarterback Otto Kuhns passes to RJ Baker for a 14-yard touchdown extending the Spartans lead to 17-6. Howard gets the ball back and ends their drive with a 30-yard field goal by Sophmore Aaron Bickerton, and at half the Spartans led 17-9.
Howard received the ball in the second half and in the first drive, Aaron Bickerton drilled a 30-yard field goal. Multiple drives from each team forced 3 and outs for both teams. Ending the thrid quarter with a score of 17-12 NSU led.
After a lackluster third quarter, both teams pulled together for an amazing fourth quarter.
Kicking off the fourth quarter Norfolk State drives down the field and ends their drive with an amazing 50-yard field goal from Grandin Wilcox his longest of the season. Making the score 20-12 NSU leads. Howard gets the ball back and puts together an impressive tempo drive capping it off with a 45-yard passing touchdown to James Eden. After a successful 2-point conversion Howard ties the game 20-20 with 9:13 left to go in the fourth.
NSU receives possession and drives down the field to score another field goal by Grandin Wilcox this time a 36-yarder, making the score 23-20. Howard gets the ball back and puts together another impressive drive finishing with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jarret Hunter, making the score 27-23 with 1:08 left in the game. With time running out NSU drives into Howard’s territory and takes a timeout with 7 seconds left at Howards 40 yard line. On the last play Quarterback Otto Kuhns heaves a pass to Andre Pegues and the ball is intercepted at the 2 yard line by Howard Saftey Kenny Gallop Jr. ending the game 27-23 in Howards favor.
Norfolk State comes back to Norfolk State University for their homecoming game versus Morgan State University on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 2pm in Dick Price Stadium.
Spartan Echo 