The Norfolk State Spartans (1-8) fell to the Delaware State Hornets (6-3) for the second game of the conference on October 30th. This Mike Vick versus DeSean Jackson HBCU Battle of the Legends showdown took place at 7pm at the Lincoln Financial Field, home to the Philadelphia Eagles and a place where the two coaches once called home.
“I feel like we played together, but obviously you have to play four quarters of football, and you got to limit the mistakes,” said Vick. “It’s the team that makes the least amount of mistakes that are going to come out victorious majority of the time, and once again it wasn’t us.”
Spartans head coach Mike Vick and Hornets head coach DeSean Jackson were teammates once upon a time for the Philadelphia Eagles playing five seasons together. During the time, they were a dynamic quarterback and wide receiver duo, connecting 13 touchdown passes. Both also started their head coaching career at the same time, this 2025 football season at a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
According to Norfolk State Athletics, the first matchup between the two teams was in 1953, and the Hornets won 0-18. They also currently lead the series with 19 wins to the Spartans eight wins, one of the eight including last year’s matchup where the Spartans won 39-18.
The first quarter was slow until Hornets kicker, Patrick Fisher-Butler, made a 30-yard field-goal putting the first points on the board 0-3. The Spartans made up for it to start the second quarter when wide receiver J.J. Evans received a 13-yard touchdown to take the lead 6-3.
The point after kick was missed, which the Hornets were thrilled about. While Spartans kicker, Marco Perry, was punting the ball away, Hornets defensive back, Amir Anderson, saw an opportunity to help his team. He blocked the punt, gained possession of the ball, then rushed into the end zone for a touchdown and regained the lead for the Hornets to end the half 6-10.
“We were in the game, I feel like the block punt really gave them some momentum. Other than that, we were going back and forth,” said Vick. “I commend my guys for the effort, they played hard, they played with heart, and everything they did was intentional.”
Coming out of half time, the Hornets started the third and fourth quarter the same way they ended the first half: scoring. The only points scored in the third quarter was Fisher making a 26- yard field goal. In quarter four, Hornets tight end, Tahmir Ellis, made a 24-yard touchdown by a pass from quarterback Kaiden Bennett, then Fisher missed the extra kick 6-19.
Soon after, Spartans quarterback Otto Kuhns met Evans for a 70 -yard touchdown play with a good kick from Peery to follow 13-19. The Hornets were right behind them making their own 76-yard rushing touchdown by running back, James Jones, and getting a successful two-point conversion to follow from Bennet passing the ball to wide receiver, NyGhee Lolley 13-27.
As the Spartans were trying to make a touchdown, the ball was intercepted by Ellis in the end zone around the five-minute mark, giving momentum back to the Hornets.
With a minute left of the match, Spartans wide receiver, DreSean Kendrick, received an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kuhns followed by a good kick from Peery, but the Hornets had a strong lead, taking the game 20-27.
“Sitting in the position that we’re in, the only thing we can do is look forward to the last couple of games, the next game, and finish the season strong,” said Vick “We’re out of contention to win the MEAC for sure, but we’ll keep fighting.”
Spartan leaders of the game were Otto Kuhns with 311 passing yards and three touchdown passes, Kevon King rushing 30 yards, J.J. Evan’s getting two touchdowns and receiving 124 years, Keshawn Lynch with one sack, and Ty Jones with six tackles.
Hornet leaders of the game were Kaiden Bennett with one touchdown pass and 158 passing yards, James Jones with one touchdown and 109 rushing yards, Nathan Stewart with 46 receiving yards, Samuel Korpoi with one sack, and Damar Jackson with seven tackles.
Spartans currently have a 1-8 overall record and a 0-2 conference record. The Hornets overall record is 6-3 with a 2-0 conference record. The Spartans next game will be on November 8th against the North Carolina Central Eagles at 2pm. Their next home game will be against the Morgan State Bears on November 15th at 12 p.m. for the Senior/Military Appreciation game.
Spartan Echo 