By: Alauna Marable
After eight games, a 4-4 overall record and a perfect 3-0 home record, the Norfolk State Spartans’ football program is now in conference play. Their first matchup in the conference was this past weekend against the two-time defending champions, the South Carolina State Bulldogs, and the Spartans came up short, 22-7.
The matchup followed a dominating 62-0 Homecoming win over the Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons and a weeklong rest with no game. It was only the second time the Spartans and Dragons met. In their last battle in 2021, the Spartans prevailed then as well, 42-14.
Spartans running back Jalyn Daniels scored the first touchdown in the first quarter, rushing 18 yards into the end zone. He also scored the last touchdown of the first half, receiving a 7-yard pass from freshman quarterback DaJean Golmond. For the Spartans’ second touchdown, quarterback Deljay Bailey returned to action after missing the previous game against Chicago State due to a shoulder injury, connecting with wide receiver Elyjah Mitchell on a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Two touchdowns less than a minute apart added to the Spartans’ lead early in the second quarter. First, fifth-year wide receiver and three-year veteran Kam’Ryn Thomas had a 24-yard rushing touchdown. Thirty seconds later, defensive back Nasir Bashier intercepted a Dragons pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown.
Spartans’ freshman wide receiver Christian James also scored on a 63-yard punt return with 11:34 remaining in the second quarter. Five minutes later, defensive back Kaleb Broadbent intercepted another Dragons pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown.
The Spartans scored their final two touchdowns in the third quarter. In four plays, wide receiver Shamar Vick, cousin of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, reached the end zone on a 29-yard run. James then scored the team’s final points on a 9-yard punt return with 2:26 left in the third quarter.
With Homecoming behind them, the Spartans have entered conference play as the 2026 football season reaches its ninth week.
Vick will meet a familiar face in their next match against the Delaware State Hornets. Hornet head coach DeSean Jackson and Vick have a history that dates to 2009, when they were teammates for the Philadelphia Eagles for five seasons.
The game takes place on Saturday, October 31, at 3 p.m. and streams on ESPN Plus.
