DURHAM, N.C. – The Norfolk State football team came up just short in a tightly contested matchup on Saturday afternoon, falling 31-28 to North Carolina Central at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Inside the Box Score
Quarterback
Otto Kuhns completed 18 of 26 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown before exiting the game due to injury.
The Spartans found success on the ground, led by
Kevon King who rushed for 149 yards.
X'Zavion Evans added 28 yards on eight carries, including a seven-yard touchdown.
Kam'Ryn Thomas paced the receiving corps with six receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while
DreSean Kendrick hauled in six catches for 58 yards and a score.
Defensively,
Daylan Long,
Terique Miles, and
Kaleb Broadbent each recorded eight tackles to anchor the Spartan defense.
How It Happened
North Carolina Central struck first, capping a seven-play, 34-yard drive with a Kaleb Robison field goal midway through the first quarter.
Norfolk State responded quickly, marching 71 yards in four minutes before
X'Zavion Evans powered into the end zone from seven yards out to give NSU a 7-3 advantage.
The Eagles regained control with 17 unanswered points, extending their lead to 20-7 behind two touchdown passes from Walker Harris, one to Mekhi Wall and another to Chauncey Spikes, along with a Robison field goal.
Kuhns trimmed the deficit late in the half, finding
Kam'Ryn Thomas for a 17-yard touchdown strike to bring the score to 20-14.
Harris and Spikes connected again early in the third quarter to make it 28-14, but Norfolk State continued to battle. Backup quarterback
Vinson Berry delivered an 18-yard touchdown pass to Thomas early in the fourth quarter to pull NSU within a score, 28-21.
After another Robison field goal pushed the Eagles ahead 31-21, Berry found
DreSean Kendrick for a 15-yard touchdown with just over three minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to three. Despite the late surge, the Spartans' comeback attempt fell just short.
Up Next
Norfolk State returns home for its final home contest of the season, hosting Morgan State on Saturday, Nov. 15, for Senior Day at William "Dick" Price Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
