NORFOLK, Va. - The Spartan football team (0-3) plays its second straight home game this week when it hosts the Red Flash of St. Francis (Pa.) (1-2) in the second-ever meeting between the teams. 

OPENING KICKOFF
• Norfolk State fell to 0-3 after a hard-fought 17-7 loss to Hampton in the Battle of the Bay before 15,459 fans at Dick Price Stadium last Saturday. The teams were tied at 7-all at halftime, but Hampton scored the only 10 points of the second half and kept NSU off the board to win the first meeting between the teams at Dick Price Stadium in five years.
• NSU's lone touchdown came on an 11-yard TD pass from Otto Kuhns to Da'Quan Felton in the first quarter. It was the second TD hookup between the two in as many games.
• Kuhns passed for 121 yards and Jaylan Adams 49 for the Spartans. Collis Pride caught four passes for 47 yards, both career highs.
• St. Francis improved to 1-2 on the year with a 27-7 road win at Wagner College on Saturday. Makai Jackson made 11 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown and also scored on a 79-yard kickoff return to propel St. Francis to the win.
• The Red Flash ran for 189 yards and passed for 181 in the win while holding Wagner to just 195 total yards.
• The win came on the heels of close losses to FBS Akron (30-23 in overtime) and Richmond (31-21) to open the year.
• St. Francis was picked to finish third in the Northeast Conference preseason poll this year behind Sacred Heart and Duquesne.     

SERIES HISTORY
• NSU and St. Francis played for the first time in series history last year in Loretto, Pennsylvania, with the Spartans prevailing 28-16. 
• Juwan Carter passed for two touchdowns, one each to Justin Smith and Anthony Williams, and also rushed for 72 yards and a score for the Spartans. NSU ran for 323 yards and a 5.5 yards per carry average.
• NSU took control by outscoring the Red Flash 14-0 in the third quarter, but St. Francis cut their deficit to 21-16 with 5:21 remaining. The Spartans iced the game, however, with a drive that took all but 39 seconds off the clock and ended with a 25-yard TD pass from Carter to Williams.

STRONG IN THE MIDDLE
• NSU linebackers Marquis Hall and Tyler Long continue to lead the Spartan defense. The two preseason All-MEAC selections lead the team in tackles (Long with 25, Hall with 20) and rank among the top five in the MEAC in tackles. 
• The two also have two of the Spartans' three interceptions this year as well: Long had one at JMU and Hall last week against Hampton.

NOTE ON PERMISSIBLE ITEMS FOR FANS AT DICK PRICE STADIUM
To provide a safer environment for the public and expedite fan entry into Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk State University has implemented a protocol that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into the stadium. Exceptions to this protocol will be made for all medically necessary items after proper inspection. To read the full news release, click here.