By Packy Moore
| NORFOLK STATE [0-0, 0-0 MEAC] vs. FLORIDA A&M [0-0, 0-0 SWAC] | |
| Date / Time | Saturday, August 24, 2024 | 7:30 p.m |
| Location | Atlanta, Ga. | Center Parc Stadium |
| Tickets | Purchase Tickets Here |
| TV / Streaming | ABC |
| Radio | Hot 91.1 FM (WNSB) | Sirius XM (Channel 385) |
| Live Stats | statbroadcast.com |
| Norfolk State | Game Notes |
| Florida A&M | Game Notes |
| All-Time Series | FAMU Leads 15-3 |
| First Meeting | FAMU 41, Norfolk State 26 [1997] |
| Last Meeting | FAMU 30, Norfolk State 28 [2019] |
| Longest Series Winning Streak | FAMU – 9 (1997-2006) |
| Current Winning Streak | FAMU – 2 |
| Social Media | Twitter – X | Instagram | Facebook |
After months of relentless sacrifice and development behind the scenes, the Norfolk State football team will open the 2024 season in a stark contrast: the primetime spotlight of a nationally televised audience.
The Spartans kick off the fourth campaign of head coach Dawson Odum’s tenure on Saturday night against Florida A&M – the 18th edition of the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Airing on ABC at 7:30 p.m., the matchup marks Odum’s first showdown against the conference he once conquered at his previous institution, Southern.
Leading the MEAC with 13 preseason all-conference selections, NSU appears poised to build on a 2023 season full of ups and downs. While Norfolk State’s breakthrough victories included a rivalry win at Hampton and gutsy triumph at Towson, four of the Spartans’ losses came by a single possession.
Armed with talent on both sides of the ball, Norfolk State has the tools and the discipline to flip the script in those tight games this time around.
Starting with the secondary, the Spartans return All-MEAC cornerback Devon Allen and Aeneas Williams Award Semifinalist Terron Mallory to patrol opposing airwaves. Throw their way at your own risk – Allen led the MEAC in pass breakups last year, while Mallory became the first player in Norfolk State’s Division I history to intercept three passes in a single game.
Linebacker AJ Richardson took the conference by storm as a freshman in 2023, racking up a team-best 69 tackles, including 41 solo stops and 2.0 sacks. Richardson and fellow King’s Mountain alumnus Samuel Eskridge picked up FCS Football Central Freshman All-American honors at the season’s conclusion.
On the offensive end, Oscar Smith product Kevon King leads a talented room of running backs. The group became deeper with the addition of two highly touted transfers: Kiron Benjamin (East Mississippi CC) and Fonnae Webb (Richmond).
Head coach Dawson Odum announced the Spartans’ starting quarterback for the season opener during his press conference on Sunday afternoon: Garden City transfer Jalen Daniels. After spending one year at South Carolina, Daniels racked up 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns through the air in nine games at GCCC.
The quarterback will have no shortage of weapons to target in the passing game. In addition to returning standouts Aaron Moore and Ikeem Wright, the Spartans added explosive threats Jacquez Jones (Lane College) and Kam’Ryn Thomas (Dodge City CC). Jones amassed over 1,800 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in three years at Lane.
As the Spartans have prepared for their first debut, they have embraced the mindsets and themes that Coach Odums has employed throughout the offseason. It’s brought forward a sense of confidence that his players cannot wait to put on display.
Saturday will provide the ultimate test: a showdown against the defending Celebration Bowl champion Florida A&M.
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
