2021 Norfolk State Football Game Program vs. VA Lynchburg

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 • 2 PM NORFOLK STATE VS VIRGINIA LYNCHBURG

DECEMBER 18, 2021, NOON ET ON C M E R C E D E S - B E N Z S TA D I U M

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AT L A N TA , G A

GAME PREVIEW ABOUT THE GAME The Norfolk State football team puts its three-game winning streak on the line this week as it celebrates Homecoming 2021 by hosting Virginia University of Lynchburg. The Spartans had an off week last Saturday following its most recent win, a thrilling 47-44 overtime victory at Hampton on Oct. 2.

After playing four of their first five games on the road, the Spartans are home for two of the next three, including today’s final non-conference matchup of the year against the Dragons.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS In their last game, Juwan Carter threw two touchdown passes and ran for a career-high three more, including the game-winning 1-yarder in OT to propel the Spartans to the victory in the first Battle of the Bay since 2017 on Oct. 2 at Armstrong Stadium.

Carter accounted for 386 yards of total offense - 294 passing and a careerhigh 92 rushing - to pick up his third MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honor this season.

Justin Smith caught five passes for a career-best 144 yards and a score, while the Spartan defense forced a season-best four turnovers - two on interceptions by Justin Toler.

NSU enters this week with the No. 1 ranked offense in terms of scoring (32.8 points per game) and yardage (440.8 yards per game) in the conference.

Carter ranks first in the MEAC with 12 touchdown passes this year, while Smith is first in receiving yards per game (81.4).

Defensive end De’Shaan Dixon is tied for first among MEAC players with 3.5 sacks.

SCOUTING THE DRAGONS Virginia Lynchburg, which is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), fell to 0-6 with a 56-6 loss at Delaware State last Saturday. The game was scoreless after one quarter, but the host Hornets scored 42 points in the second quarter en route to the victory.

VUL amassed 172 total yards in defeat, about one-third of which came on

a 59-yard TD pass from Darrius Sample to Joshua Gray.

The Dragons have also faced U.Va. Wise, Mars Hill, Virginia Union, Duquesne and Erskine this season and have three games remaining: vs. Norfolk State, Tennessee Tech and Howard.

SERIES HISTORY This is the first meeting between the two schools.

NSU IN THE MEAC WEEKLY AWARDS NSU has dominated the MEAC weekly football awards following its last four games, winning a combined 11 for performances against Wake Forest, Elizabeth City State, St. Francis and Hampton.

Quarterback Juwan Carter was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week after the Wake, ECSU and Hampton games, throwing for a combined nine touchdowns in the three games (including five vs. ECSU, a career high).

Jalen Powell (Wake), Colby Byrd (ECSU) and Justin Redd (SFU, Hampton) won four consecutive Offensive Lineman of the Week awards, a streak only broken because NSU had a bye last week.

J.J. Davis was named MEAC Rookie of the Week twice: after rushing eight times for 121 yards and two touchdowns (including a 72-yarder) vs. ECSU, and after rushing 14 times for 93 yards vs. SFU.

Chris Myers was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week after the ECSU win after registering two of NSU’s eight sacks and helping hold the Vikings to negative-49 rushing yards.

Justin Toler was selected Co-Defensive Player of the Week after notching two interceptions at HU. ONE FOR THE BOOKS Norfolk State set a number of records in its 63-26 win over Elizabeth City State the last time the Spartans played at Dick Price Stadium. Below is a look at those.

(Marks are overall school records unless noted as Division I only): • 675 total offensive yards • 63 points (school Division I era record) • Fewest rushing yards allowed (-49) • First downs (38, ties school record) • Juwan Carter 5 TD passes (ties school D-I record).

• 8 total sacks (ties school D-I record) • Josh Nardone nine extra points.

CHASING THE SPARROW Juwan Carter continues to chase a number of hallowed school passing records held by former Division II All-American Aaron Sparrow. Against Hampton, Carter passed Sparrow’s school marks for total offensive yards and pass completions. Carter now has 8,650 total yards (rushing plus passing) and 630 completions in his career. Carter

The Spartans forced four turnovers in the win at Hampton. Brandon Savage (pictured) had one of three interceptions for NSU. (Photo by Janiah Mullen)

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GAME PREVIEW is 29 passing attempts, 930 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns away from surpassing other long-time marks held

by Sparrow.

GROUND AND POUND While Carter gets the job done through the air, NSU as a team has also displayed a strong rushing attack. NSU rushed for more than 300 yards in backto-back games for the first time since the last two games of the 2010 season when they ran for 322 against Elizabeth City and 323 at St. Francis.

NSU currently leads the MEAC and ranks 12th in the FCS with 227.0 rushing yards per game. Six Spartans rank in the top 10 in the MEAC in rushing, with J.J. Davis ranking second with 74.2 ypg.

SPARTANS IN THE PROS Norfolk State is represented in the NFL by undrafted defensive back Bobby Price of the Detroit Lions. Price was a two-time All-MEAC safety for NSU who started 37 games between 2016 and 2019. Price spent much of the 2020 NFL season on the Lions practice squad.

He has made 12 tackles and broken up three passes in four games this season.

NSU ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADER Ten of NSU’s 11 games this year will be broadcast on one of the ESPN family

of networks. The opener at Toledo and the contest at Howard will air on ESPN3 and the Wake Forest game be carried by the ACC Network Extra. The Hampton game will be seen on ESPN+.

NSU’s home game with Elizabeth City State and five MEAC games will be broadcast on either ESPN+ or ESPN3.

In addition, games with Howard, NCCU and South Carolina State may be chosen for re-broadcast on ESPNU later as part of the MEAC’s yearly TV agreement.

ALL GAMES ON HOT 91.1 FM, SXM Campus radio station WNSB Hot 91.1 FM will serve as the carrier of all 11 Spartan football games this fall, plus any potential postseason games, for the second year in a row. Fans can also listen to the games online at www.tunein. com, or through the TuneIn Radio app by searching for WNSB 91.1 FM. NSU’s football broadcasts will be available on SiriusXM for the first time throughout the 2021 season. The SXM App is free for most subscribers, and anyone who is not yet a subscriber can download the SXM App and get a free, limited-time preview. Select games will also air on a SXM channel. Check the athletics web site for weekly updates.

Additionally, select NSU men’s and women’s basketball games will also air SiriusXM beginning later this year.

MEAC at a Glance 2021 Standings

Howard Norfolk State Delaware State North Carolina Central South Carolina State Morgan State

Conf. Overall W-L W-L 1-0 2-4 0-0 3-2 0-0 3-3 0-0 2-4 0-0 1-4 0-1 0-5

Last Week’s Results Florida A&M 30, S.C. State 7 Tennessee Tech 27, N.C. Central 16 Delaware State 56, Virginia Lynchburg 6 Howard 27, Morgan State 0 This Week’s Games Virginia-Lynchburg at Norfolk State....2 p.m.

Morgan State at S.C. State.................3:30 p.m.

Preseason MEAC Poll (First-place votes in parentheses) 1. South Carolina State (5)................ 118 2. Norfolk State (2)...................... 96 3. North Carolina Central (2)............ 78 4. Delaware State (1)........................... 56 5. Morgan State (1).............................. 48 6. Howard (1)......................................... 36 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year QB Juwan Carter, Norfolk State Preseason Defensive Player of the Year DB Decobie Durant, S.C. State

J.J. Davis, seen scoring a touchdown at Hampton, ranks second in the MEAC in rushing yards this season to lead a balanced Spartan ground game. (Photo by Janiah Mullen)

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HEAD COACH ASSISTANT DAWSON COACHES ODUMS ranked 20th in the FCS Top 25 Coaches Poll. Defensive end Jordan Lewis brought distinction to the Jaguars by winning the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the Division I FCS. Lewis, who led the country in sacks and tackles for loss, also won SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Southern posted top-20 total offenses in 2015 and 2016 and a No. 13 mark in rushing offense en route to a SWAC West title in 2019. Odums’ squads ranked in the top 10 in the FCS in punt return average four times, including leading the country in 2017, and also ranked top-10 in kickoff return average twice.

Dawson Odums Head Football Coach

D

awson Odums, a championship coach with a track record of developing student-athletes both on and off the field during his collegiate coaching career, is in his first year as the head football coach at Norfolk State University. He was named the 18th head coach in Spartan history on April 21, 2021.

A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Odums has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, Odums enjoyed a stellar 10-year run in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Odums directed Southern to a winning record in each of his eight full seasons at the helm of the program, including a 5-1 mark in the abbreviated 2021 spring season. In his last five seasons, the Jaguars posted a 29-6 SWAC record. His overall record on the field with the Jaguars was 63-35.

After joining the Jaguars as defensive line coach in 2011, Odums was elevated to interim head coach two games into the 2012 season before earning the permanent head coach position following the year. On the field, Odums led Southern to a 53-17 SWAC mark over the last nine seasons. His ledger includes one SWAC championship (2013), one SWAC Coach of the Year honor (2013) and four SWAC West Division titles (2013, ‘14, ‘18, ‘19).

Odums’ teams at Southern excelled in all three phases of the game. In the 2021 spring season, Southern ranked first nationally in blocked punts, second in third-down conversions, fifth in sacks and eighth in scoring offense. Southern finished the year

The 2013 season was a special one for Odums. His first full year as head coach at Southern culminated in a double-overtime SWAC championship game victory over Jackson State. The win made Odums just the second coach in Southern history to win a SWAC divisional title, outright SWAC championship and SWAC Coach of the Year honors in his first year as head coach.

The Jaguars went 9-4 that year, one of four seasons in which they won at least eight games on Odums’ watch. They also won nine games and captured the divisional title the following year, 2014.

Six players coached by Odums have signed with teams in the NFL or CFL. That list includes SWAC all-time leading rusher Lenard Tillery and Southern’s all-time leader in receiving yards and return touchdowns, Willie Quinn. Former Jaguars defensive back Danny Johnson is on the roster of the Washington Football Team.

Jaguar student-athletes have also performed well in the classroom. Fifty-seven Southern players earned Dean’s List honors during the fall 2020 semester. Under Odums’ guidance, Southern’s APR score has steadily risen, reaching a multi-year rate of 952 in the last NCAA report of his tenure there.

Odums’ other coaching stints include a pair of stops in the MEAC. He spent three seasons at North Carolina A&T (2008-10), serving first as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator and then as defensive coordinator. The Aggies’ special teams units thrived under his leadership, returning four kicks for touchdowns and blocking three kicks in 2010. That came on the heels of a 2009 season in which the Aggies blocked five kicks.

In 2010, Brandon Jackson became the first Aggie in five seasons to record more

than 100 tackles in a season, finishing with 106. D’Vonte Graham led the MEAC in interceptions with seven. The year prior saw Jarrell Herring earn first-team All-MEAC honors at defensive end.

Odums’ first stint in the MEAC came as defensive line coach at Bethune-Cookman from 2005-07. Over Odums’ three-year span there, the Wildcats run defense was among the stingiest in the MEAC. In 2007, the Wildcats defense ranked third in the conference in rush defense and third in total defense. Odums also worked with the Wildcats special teams units and scouted opposing teams’ special teams personnel.

Prior to arriving at Bethune-Cookman, Odums spent three seasons at Division II Clark Atlanta. He served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 200203, then as interim head coach in 2004.

Odums’ other stints at the Division I level include two years at Georgia Southern and one at Gardner-Webb. In his first year at GSU in 2000, Odums coached the linebackers while helping the Eagles win the Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship. He then mentored the defensive ends in his second year.

Odums played linebacker and quarterback at Crest High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, before competing collegiately at North Carolina Central. A defensive lineman at NCCU, Odums was a team captain and All-CIAA selection as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1997.

A member of the American Football Coaches Association, Odums participated in the NCAA Coaches Academy in Indianapolis in 2010.

Odums and his wife, Audrey, have two daughters, Jasmine and Jaiden.

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NORFOLK STATE ROSTER

4

NO. NAME

POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

NO. NAME

POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

0

Christopher Price

QB

57 Demetrius Johnson

LB

6-1 210 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Maury HS

1

Marcque Ellington

WR 6-6 210 R-Sr. Neptune, N.J./St. John-Vianney HS

58

Terique Miles

LB

6-3 210 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Palmetto Prep

2

Kevin Johnson

RB

6-0 175 R-So. Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS

59

Javoni Hales

LB

5-11 210 Fr.

Newport News, Va./Menchville HS

3

Justin Smith

WR 6-2 180 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Benedictine Preparatory

60

Dyral McMillan

OL

6-3 295 Fr.

Charlotte, N.C./Jireh Prep

4

Anthony Williams

TE

6-3 235 R-Sr. Norfolk, Va./Maury HS

64

Kole Williams

LB

6-0 215 Fr.

Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS

5

Devyn Coles

DB

5-11 175 R-So. Highland Springs, Va./Highland Springs HS

65

Jalen Powell

OL

6-3 280 R-Sr. Temple Hills, Md./Hampton (Va.) HS

6

Da’Kendall James

WR 6-1 190 R-So. Chesapeake, Va./Coastal Carolina

66

Taro Lipscomb

OL

6-3 290 R-Sr. Washington, D.C./Friendship College

7

Tayvion Land

DB

5-8 190 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va./Liberty

69

Jeff Woods

OL

6-6 290 R-Fr. Fayetteville, N.C./UConn

8

Juwan Carter

QB

6-0 175 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS

70

Justin Redd

OL

6-5 315 R-Jr. Hampton, Va./Hampton HS

9

Bobby Dunn

QB

6-1 180 Fr.

71

Ian Williams

OL

6-2 285 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Benedictine Preparatory

10

Tremayne Talbert

WR 5-9 170 R-So. Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS

73

Silas Fitzgerald

OL

6-5 290 R-Fr. Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley HS

11

Shaviaea Williams

DB

5-11 195 R-Jr. Norfolk, Va./Granby HS

74

Colby Byrd

OL

6-3 290 R-Jr. Virginia Beach, Va./Virginia Union

12

Jonah Fitzgerald

QB

6-4 205 R-So. Roanoke, Va./Old Dominion University

76

Andrew Nickens

OL

6-3 300 Fr.

13

Cameryn Brent

RB

5-8 200 R-Sr. Atlanta, Ga./Holmes CC

78/88 Josh Culberson

OL

6-3 295 R-Fr. Chesapeake, Va./Fork Union Military

15

J.J. Davis

RB

5-9 170 R-Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/University of Cincinnati

79 Desmond Kelly

OL

6-4 290 Fr.

16

Christian Ruffin

DB

5-11 175 Fr.

80

Noah Spencer

WR 6-2 190 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Old Dominion

17

Kyler Davis

QB

6-0 210 R-Fr. Fayetteville, N.C./Fork Union Military

81

Ademola Faleye

TE

18

De’Shaan Dixon

DL

6-5 260 R-Sr. Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS

82

Kevin Gayles

WR 6-0 195 R-Fr. Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS

19

Tyler Long

LB

5-11 210 R-So. Cincinnati, Ohio/Lackawanna College

83

Da’Quan Felton

WR 6-4 185 R-Fr. Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS

20

Stuart Anderson Jr.

DB

6-3 210 R-Jr. Mathews, Va./Mathews HS

84

Tavian Morris

WR 6-2 175 R-Fr. Prince George, Va./Prince George HS

21

Brandon Savage

DB

5-10 170 R-Jr. Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill Academy

85

Vincent Jarvis

WR 6-0 180 R-So. Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS

22

Cameron Foreman

DB

6-2 180 R-So. Mechanicsville, Va./Fork Union Military

86

Jayden Kelley

TE

23

Rayquan Smith

RB

5-9 210 R-So. Richmond, Va./Highland Springs HS

87

Lukai Hatcher

WR 6-0 160 Fr.

24

Chris Butler

WR 5-11 200 R-Fr. Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen HS

88

Shawn McFarland

TE

25

Collis Pride

WR 6-3 180 R-Fr. Dinwiddie, Va./Bluefield College (W.Va.)

89

Demani Ward

WR 5-9 165 Fr.

26

Sivon Pleasants

RB

5-10 160 R-Fr. Doswell, Va./Caroline HS

90

Remy Feltes

DL

6-4 320 R-Jr. Solingen, Germany/New Mexico Military

27

Shamar Hill

DL

6-3 210 R-Fr. Kissimmee, Fla./Orlando Christian

91

Mac Petit

DL

6-2 275 R-Fr. Atlanta, Ga./Westlake HS

28

R.J. Coles

DB

5-10 190 R-So. Richmond, Va./Varina HS

95

Levontae Jacobs

DL

6-3 255 Fr.

Salisbury, N.C./West Rowan HS

29

Justin Toler

DB

5-10 165 R-So. Falmouth, Va./Stafford HS

96

Matthieu Watts

DL

6-3 215 Fr.

Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS

30

Shy’Keem Hussey

WR 6-2 205 R-So. Pinetops, N.C./Louisburg College

98

Chris Myers

DL

6-6 245 R-Sr. LaVergne, Tenn./Middle Tennessee

31

Ryan Richter

P

6-1 190 R-Jr. Temecula, Calif./Reedley College

99

Amadeu Vital

DL

6-3 265 R-Jr. Silver Spring, Md./Glenville State

32

Lex Henry

RB

5-8 175 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Salem HS

Jaylin Barmer

DL

6-0 240 R-Jr. Baltimore, Md./USAG Humphreys

33

Steve Ashby

DB

6-0 175 Jr.

Tristan Brooks

WR 5-11 170 So. Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS

34

Josh Nardone

K/P 5-11 200 R-Sr. Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS

Jordan Bryant

WR 5-7 165 R-Fr. Bryans Road, Md./Henry E. Lackey HS

35

Shawn Johnson

DL

6-2 235 R-Fr. Bronx, N.Y./Jireh Prep (N.C.)

Miles Fludd

DL

6-2 315 R-Fr. Lynchburg, Va./Brookville HS

36

Devon Allen

DB

6-0 170 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes HS

Jonathan Hall

LB

6-2 225 R-So. Courtland, Va./Old Dominion University

37

Johnathan Gregory

DB

6-2 185 R-Jr. Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS

Bernard Heath

DL

5-11 250 Fr.

38 Jeff Foster

DB

6-1 175 Fr.

Anthony Hill

DL

6-1 250 R-So. Upper Marlboro, Md./Hutchinson CC

39

Imani Bey

DL

6-3 240 R-Jr. Washington, D.C./VMI

Chris Jones

OL

5-9 270 R-Fr. Windsor, Va./Windsor HS

40

Pierre Royster

DB

6-1 185 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS

Zane Killgo

WR 5-10 170 R-Jr. Arlington, Va./Millersville University

41

Jayden Smith

DB

6-1 180 Fr.

Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS

Justis Monsanto

DL

6-2 220 R-Fr. Prince George, Va./Prince George HS

43

Zion Lewis

DB

6-2 170 R-Fr. Farmville, Va./Prince Edward HS

Omar Morrisey

OL

6-0 275 R-So. Queens, N.Y./Eagle Academy

44

Jaylen White

DB

5-9 185 Fr.

Bryce Stratton

TE

6-2 215 So. Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch HS

45

Brent Stratton

RB

5-10 170 R-Fr. Chesapeake, Va./Nansemond River HS

46

Zac Denton

LS

5-10 185 R-Jr. Fishersville, Va./Georgia Prep Sports Ac.

Head Coach: Dawson Odums

47

Kameron Lewis

DB

6-2 170 Fr.

Assistant Coaches: B.T. Sherman (Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/RB Coach),

48

Sage Beuchert-Irvine DL

6-1 205 R-Fr. Reston, Va./South Lakes HS

Steve Adams (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, LB Coach), Vincent Marshall (WR

49

Ricky Harleston

DB

5-10 190 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./James Madison

Coach, Special Teams Coordinator), Skyler Jones (DL Coach/Recruiting Coordinator), Brandon

50

Matt Hodges

LB

6-0 220 R-Sr. Richmond, Va./Bishop Sullivan Catholic HS

Torrey (OL Coach), Tanner Cotman (Safeties Coach), LaQuaid Manago (TE Coach), Dwayne Taylor

51 Mark Brown

LB

5-10 190 R-Jr. Reston, Va./Centreville HS

(CB Coach), Ryan Meyers (QB Coach)

52

Anthony Blume

DL

6-2 265 R-Fr. Edgewood, Md./Edgewood HS

53

D’Montre’ Smith

OL

6-5 320 R-So. Columbia, S.C./Keenan HS

54

D.J. Djonkam

DL

6-3 260 R-So. Springfield, Va./Fork Union Military

55

Baron Franks II

OL

6-4 285 R-Fr. Greenville, S.C./Greenville Sr. HS

56

Marquis Hall

LB

6-2 230 R-Jr. Woodbridge, Va./Potomac Senior HS

6-0 185 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS

Richmond, Va./Varina HS

Raleigh, N.C./Southeast Raleigh HS

Los Angeles, Calif./West Los Angeles CC

Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS

Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS

Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS

6-7 225 Fr.

Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor HS Chicago, Ill./Thornton Township HS Brockton, Mass./Brockton

6-1 200 R-Fr. Hopewell, Va./Hopewell HS Arlington, Va./Wakefield HS

6-3 235 R-Sr. Selden, N.Y./Monroe College Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield HS

Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra

VIRGINIA ASSISTANT LYNCHBURG COACHES ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. YR. HT. WT.

NO. NAME

POS. YR. HT. WT.

1 Cinsere Clark

WR Fr.

6-0 175 Durham, N.C./Southern Durham HS

72 Dequan Gravely

OL

Fr.

6-2 325 Waldorf, Md./Henry E. Lackey HS

1 Jose Faulk

K/P Fr.

5-10 185 Yulee, Fla./Yulee HS

73 Steven Frazier

OL

Fr.

6-0 338 Jacksonville, Fla./Jean Ribault HS

2 Mwangi Sekou III

TE

6-3 265 Philadelphia, Pa./Nassau CC

74 Emmanus Joseph

OL

Sr.

6-4 345 Miami, Fla./Everglades HS

3 Selah Cephas

WR So. 6-0 190 Washington, D.C./West Virginia State

75 John Duke

OL

Fr.

6-4 320 Colonial Heights, Va./Colonial Heights HS

3 John Templar

LB

6-0 243 Brooksville, Fla./Central HS

77 Spencer Graves

DL

So. 6-2 345 Nashville, Tenn./Lane College

4 Joshua Gray

WR Jr.

5-8 180 Washington, N.C./Chowan University

78 Thomari Duhart

OL

Fr.

6-4 380 Palm Beach, Fla./Santaluces HS

4

Fr.

6-2 310 Charlotte, N.C./Hopewell HS

Terry Purifoy Jr.

Jr.

Sr.

HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

DL

R-So. 6-3 230 Rockford, Ill./Highland CC

79 Long Ninh

OL

6 Myles Ratliff

RB

Jr.

5-11 205 Chattanooga, Tenn./Mesabi Range Coll.

80 Michael Williams III

WR So. 5-8 150 Columbia, S.C./Community Christian Coll.

7 Jamison Flaowe

DB

Fr.

5-10 200 Kannapolis, N.C./A.L. Brown HS

82 Joel Harris

WR R-Fr. 5-9 175 Baltimore, Md./Woodlawn HS

8 Darrius Sample

QB

Jr.

6-0 219 Baltimore, Md./Alvernia University

83 Dajon Hicks

WR So. 6-3 205 Hurt, Va./Tyler JC

9 Chacai Campbell

QB

Fr.

6-0 205 Jacksonville, N.C./T.C. Williams HS

85 Christopher Rahimi

TE

Fr.

6-3 220 Irvine, Calif./Irvine HS

10 Darnell Wilson

LB

Fr.

5-10 205 Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood HS

88 Levi Davis

TE

Jr.

6-5 228 Baltimore, Md./Carver HS

10 Tyquan Watson

WR Jr.

6-2 180 Kingston, N.Y./Hudson Valley CC

91 Antonio Riley

DL

Fr.

6-0 250 Jacksonville, Fla./Terry Parker HS

11 Renelda Akins

WR Jr.

5-7 160 Deltona, Fla./Alderson Broaddus Univ.

93 Walter Landers

DL

Fr.

6-3 325 Detroit, Mich./Detroit King HS

12 Khavon Walker

WR Fr.

5-9 160 Philadelphia, Pa./Lincoln HS

95 Jimmie Cole

DL

Fr.

6-2 305 Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben HS

13 David Freeman

RB

Jr.

5-10 195 Baltimore, Md./Hartnell College

99 Kaleel Brown-Palmer DL

Fr.

5-11 310 Hamlet, N.C./Richmond HS

14 Damien Partee

DB

Fr.

6-2 200 District Heights, Md./Suitland HS

15 Quarnell Madison

DL

Fr.

6-2 247 Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS

16 Emari Napper

DB

Fr.

18 Ramel Harrell Jr.

QB

Fr.

19 Kentavius Williams

DB

20 Jordan Hanson

LB

21 Emmanuel Coulter 22 Cory Cooper

Head Coach: Tim Newman

6-1 145 Jacksonville, Fla./Jean Ribault HS

Assistant Coaches: Kelvin Smith (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), Richard Bonds

5-10 195 Sanford, Fla./Deltona HS

(Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs), Kalvin Rymer (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defen-

Fr.

5-11 175 Greenwood, S.C./Ninety Six HS

sive Line), Tyler Gay (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers), William Weir (Offensive Line/

Fr.

6-0 220 Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park HS

Run Game Coordinator), Rafe Brown (Assistant Linebackers), Tryvone Canty (Graduate Assis-

DB

Jr.

6-0 175 Lawrenceville, Ga./Grayson HS

tant), Chidubem Okonkwo (Assistant Running Backs), Elijah Fernandez (Assistant Receivers)

DB

Fr.

5-10 190 Jacksonville, Fla./Jean Ribault HS

23 Omari Hunt

DB

Fr.

5-9 170 Belmont, N.C./So.uth Point HS

24 Kalib Jennings

RB

Fr.

5-9 210 Charlotte, N.C./Rocky River HS

26 Cedric Caschetta

RB

Jr.

5-9 190 Lowell, Ind./Elmhurst University

27 Antoine Carroll

RB

Fr.

5-7 170 Richmond, Va./J.R. Tucker HS

28 Jamari Jones

DB

Fr.

5-9 167 Oakland, Fla./West Orange HS

29 George Ford

DB

Fr.

5-8 180 Plant City, Fla./Mauldin HS

30 Javan Wilson

DB

Fr.

5-9 165 Greenville, S.C./Mauldin HS

31 Joshua Hayes

DB

R-Fr. 5-8 160 Woodbridge, Va./Fr.eedom HS

32 Jamal Chapman

DB

So. 5-7 180 Cross City, Fla./Mesabi Range College

33 Trequad Manning

LB

R-So. 6-0 205 Virginia Beach, Va./Green Run HS

34 Jalen Rembert

RB

Fr.

5-11 190 Columbia, S.C./Midlothian HS

35 Jacob Jones

DL

Fr.

6-5 215 Louisville, Ky./Western HS

39 Jontavious Page

LB

Jr.

6-2 210 Cross City, Fla./Mesabi Range College

41 Marlon Harris

LB

Fr.

6-0 205 Deland, Fla./University HS

42 Javis Ward

DB

Fr.

5-8 175 West Palm Beach, Fla./Orlando Christian

44 Martin Williams

DB

Fr.

5-9 195 Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine HS

49 Keir Stokes

DB

Jr.

5-9 160 Winston-Salem, N.C./Carver HS

50 Nicolas Scott

DL

Fr.

6-0 235 Mauldin, S.C./Mauldin HS

52 Joseph Satchel

OL

Fr.

6-6 325 Detroit, Mich./American Collegiate Acad.

54 Chris Crenshaw

OL

So. 6-1 300 Tampa, Fla./Mayville State University

56 Christian Hicks

LB

So. 6-1 231 Winston-Salem, N.C./Mars Hill University

57 Elin Jones

DL

Fr.

6-5 250 Dacula, Ga./Mountain View HS

58 Lajuan Pauling

OL

Fr.

6-2 285 Santee, S.C./Lake Marion HS

59 Stephon Morris

LB

Fr.

5-11 205 Johnston, S.C./Strom Thurmond HS

61 Christopher Brown

OL

Fr.

5-10 290 Jacksonville, Fla./Jean Ribault HS

65 Terrence Ames Jr.

OL

Sr.

6-0 320 Sicklerville, N.J./Winslow Township HS

71 Charles Perkins

OL

Fr.

6-4 300 Starkville, Miss./Morgan State University

5

PROJECTED LINEUPS When Norfolk State Has the Ball

NSU OFFENSE POS. NO. NAME

HT. WT. YR.

VUL DEFENSE POS. NO. NAME

ZWR TE LT LG C RG RT SWR XWR QB RB

6-1 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-0 6-0

DE DT NT DE WLB MLB SLB CB SS FS CB

6 4 69 65 74 70 53 88 3 8 2

Da’Kendall James Anthony Williams Jeff Woods Jalen Powell Colby Byrd Justin Redd D’Montre’ Smith Marcque Ellington Justin Smith Juwan Carter Kevin Johnson

190 235 290 280 290 315 320 210 180 175 175

R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-So.

When Virginia-Lynchburg Has the Ball

VUL OFFENSE POS. NO. NAME XWR Y LT LG C RG RT H ZWR QB RB

3 Selah Cephas 2 Mwangi Sekou III 52 Joe Satchel 65 Terrence Ames 58 Lajuan Pauling 72 Dequan Gravely 71 Charles Perkins 4 Joshua Gray 1 Cinsere Clark 8 Darrius Sample 13 David Freeman

NSU Special Teams

6

Jr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr.

HT. WT. YR.

6-0 6-3 6-6 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-4 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-10

DE 18 De’Shaan Dixon NG 90 Remy Feltes DT 52 Anthony Blume DE 98 Chris Myers WLB 19 Tyler Long MLB 56 Marquis Hall CB 5 Devyn Coles ROV 28 R.J. Coles FS 16 Christian Ruffin NI 7 Tayvion Land CB 21 Brandon Savage

6-5 6-4 6-2 6-6 5-11 6-2 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-8 5-10

190 265 325 320 285 325 300 180 175 219 195

So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr.

PK P KO LS Hold KR PR

5-11 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-2

Subject to change

230 250 345 250 231 243 205 145 175 160 160

HT. WT. YR.

HT. WT. YR.

Josh Nardone Ryan Richter Ryan Richter Zac Denton Stuart Anderson Jr. Kevin Johnson Justin Smith

Terry Purifoy 6-3 Antonio Riley 6-0 Spencer Graves 6-2 Elin Jones 6-5 Christian Hicks 6-1 John Templar 6-0 Darnell Wilson 5-10 Emari Napper 6-1 Kentavious Williams 5-11 Keir Stokes 5-9 Josh Hayes 5-8

NSU DEFENSE POS. NO. NAME

POS. NO. NAME 34 31 31 46 20 2 3

4 91 77 57 56 3 10 16 19 49 31

HT. WT. YR.

200 190 190 185 210 175 180

R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr.

VUL Special Teams

260 320 265 245 210 230 175 190 175 190 170

R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-So. R-Jr. R-So. R-So. Fr. R-So. R-Jr.

POS. NO. NAME

HT. WT. YR.

PK

1

Jose Faulk

5-10 185 Fr.

P LS KR PR

1 58 19 19

Jose Faulk 5-10 Lajuan Pauling 6-2 Kentavious Williams 5-11 Kentavious Williams 5-11

185 285 175 175

Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

ASSISTANT COACHES UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by its major accrediting body, The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This reaffirmation underscores the University’s strength, stability, and forward momentum.

Enrollment increased to a six-year high in 2019, to 5,600 students. This included the largest freshman class in many years, 1,200 freshmen (FY20). The University has realized record high operating revenues 104% above projection, the highest in the history of Norfolk State. A new 740-bed state of the art residence complex was opened.

Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. President Norfolk State University

D

r. Javaune Adams-Gaston is the seventh President of Norfolk State University.

She began her tenure on June 24, 2019. As President, she is committed to ensuring that Norfolk State University fulfills its mission as an HBCU for the modern world, a university grounded by its heritage, focused on the future, and deeply committed to student success. Her vision is student success, opportunity access and affordability, and growth and sustainability. A strong advocate for collaboration and developing strategic partnerships with local, regional, and state stakeholders, Dr. Adams-Gaston is committed to cultivating strong connections with alumni and the community.

During her first year at Norfolk State University, the COVID-19 pandemic created multiple challenges for the nation and the world. President. Adams-Gaston worked together with her team to continue to move the institution forward despite the issues created as a result of the pandemic.

This led to the university achieving multiple successes. The goals of access, opportunity, and success for NSU students remained her focus even during these unprecedented times. Under President Adams-Gaston’s management, Norfolk State University has successfully achieved the status of a U.S. News and World Report 2021, Top 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) designation. Attained

Since President Adams-Gaston’s arrival Norfolk State University has also expanded its online academic program curriculums to include a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and has been recognized nationally and been designated as a Department of Defense Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity and Department of Energy Cybersecurity Consortium Leader. Under her leadership, the online Master’s degree in Cyber Psychology launched in Fall 2019, is the first of its kind in the nation. The University also opened the NSU Innovation Center in Downtown Norfolk, VA, March 2019, a learning space that integrates pedagogy and technology to help grow and serve as a channel for minority entrepreneurs.

Norfolk State University has developed the Center for African American Public Policy, a first of its kind in Virginia which “serves to educate the public at large, empower minority communities and assist lawmakers on alternative ideas of how to solve issues that communities of color face”. Norfolk State University has received national recognition and visibility for the International Cyber Psychology Conference, the Voice of America’s 1619 Commemoration radio broadcast, the US Senatorial Debate and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Tech Talent Pipeline initiative and students are participants in the Virginia College Affordability Network. Dr. Adams-Gaston has been successful in acquiring multiple donations including a transformational gift of over $40 million from Mackenzie Scott, the largest single donor gift in the history of NSU. In addition, this year, the University has secured grants in excess of over $7.8

million for scholarships and financial support to enhance student success. Some of the partnerships include Sentara HealthcarePublic Health Program, Appalachian School of Law 3+3, Academic Partnerships, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, USAA, and the Black Ambition Prize and many others.

President Adams-Gaston is a higher education professional and scholar with more than 30 years of experience at nationally known research universities.

Prior to joining Norfolk State University, Dr. Adams-Gaston served as senior vice president at The Ohio State University and led 40 departments in the Office of Student Life annually impacting over 60,000 students.

With her selection in 2009, Dr. Adams-Gaston became The Ohio State’s first female African American Vice President for Student Life. She came to The Ohio University State from the University of Maryland, where she served in a variety of administrative and faculty positions. Her experience included serving at University of Maryland, College Park as associate dean of academic affairs, faculty member, executive director of the Career Center, equity administrator, psychologist and first UMCP African American female assistant athletic director (Division 1) and as an Athletic Certification Peer Reviewer for the NCAA. Trained as a psychologist, Dr. Adams-Gaston spent more than 25 years in private practice. She also served as a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. She was an affiliate assistant professor at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Adams-Gaston earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, and general science, at the University of Dubuque; a master’s degree in psychology at Loras College; and a Ph.D. in psychology at Iowa State University. She considers her greatest achievement to be her family. She is married to Dmitri Gaston, MCRP, who served as a planner and management analyst in Washington, D.C. for over 25 years and as a planner, including creating diversity and inclusion education at The Ohio State University. They have three adult children, and they are extremely proud of them.

7

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS including the Division I championship in 2025. Student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom as well, with the department posting an overall GPA of 3.15 after the spring semester, the highest ever.

Melody Webb Director of Athletics

M

elody Webb was appointed to the position of University Athletics Director on July 1, 2020 after serving for six years at NSU as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration/Senior Woman Administrator. She became the ninth athletics director in the history of Norfolk State, and the first female to hold the role.

“Ms. Webb will lead Spartan Athletics to excellence both on and off the field of competition while also increasing NSU’s visibility and competitiveness,” NSU President Dr. Javaune AdamsGaston said. “She is an exceptional administrator and is well respected within the field of intercollegiate athletics.”

In her first season leading the Spartans in 2020-21, both the men’s basketball and baseball teams captured MEAC titles. NSU men’s basketball defeated Appalachian State in the NCAA Tournament First Four after winning its second-ever MEAC Championship.

Spartan baseball, meanwhile, made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing its very first MEAC Championship.

Norfolk State was also selected to host four NCAA Track & Field Indoor Championships from 2023-26,

8

Webb joined the NSU staff in April of 2014. In that role as Associate AD, she oversaw the business office, facilities, game operations and external relations, which included media relations, ticketing, marketing, promotions, fundraising, and corporate partnerships. Webb helped to provide strategies that drove revenue streams while increasing brand management and awareness to support the mission and vision of NSU athletics. Under her leadership, Webb oversaw more than $2 million in facility upgrades and renovations, including the installation of video scoreboards, locker room renovations, replacement of the original court in Joseph G Echols Hall, and new artificial turf at Dick Price Stadium.

Prior to NSU, Webb was the Associate Commissioner for Business Operations at the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association (CIAA), where she oversaw financial support to 13 institutions, 3,500 students and more than 5,000 participation opportunities in 14 different championships. Of the 14 championships produced by the CIAA, its annual basketball tournament is one of the nation’s premier sporting events, attracting over 190,000 fans during the course of the week, and was ranked as the third-highest attended basketball tournament among all NCAA divisions.

Before the CIAA, Webb served stints as the assistant athletics director for business at George Washington University, business manager at University of Maryland and associate athletics director/SWA at Elizabeth City State University. At George Washington, she was responsible

for administrative oversight of a $22 million budget. She assisted with the financial management of a $55 million budget at Maryland and oversaw the administrative operations for athletic financial affairs, purchasing and accounts.

At Elizabeth City, she provided fiscal management and operational oversight of all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics and sports programs. In each position, Webb was responsible for external and internal reports to university administrators, the Department of Education and the NCAA. Webb currently sits on various committees and boards and is a part of the Collegiate Athletic Business Managers Association (CABMA), Minority Opportunity Athletic Association (MOAA), National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators and is a member of Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Webb earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Savannah State University, where she was a four-year letter winner in volleyball, serving as team captain for three years. Webb also competed in basketball and track and field where she also received conference honors.

After completing her undergraduate degree, she then earned her master’s in public administration with a focus in public policy and management from Bowie State University. Webb is pursuing a Doctorate of Education from the United States Sports Academy.

JOIN THE EVOLUTION

2021 Schedule 09/04 09/11 09/18 09/25 10/02 10/16

7 PM 12 PM 6 PM 12 PM 2 PM 2 PM

10/23 2 PM

AT Toledo AT WAke ForesT elizAbeTh CiTy sTATe AT sT. FrAnCis (PA) AT hAMPTon VirginiA–lynChburg hoMeCoMing AT hoWArd *

10/30 2 PM

MorgAn sTATe* breAsT CAnCer AWAreness dAy

11/06 2 PM

AT n.C. CenTrAl*

11/13 1 PM

AT delAWAre sTATe*

11/20 2 PM

souTh CArolinA sTATe* MiliTAry APPreCiATion/senior dAy

GOLD DENOTES HOME GAME *DENOTES MEAC GAME Subject to change