Norfolk State 7, Howard 0

The Spartans (4-3, 2-3 MEAC) dodged a bullet as senior Mike Kelly blocked a 37-yard field goal by Jason Walker as time expired to send the game into overtime. Kelly had an outstanding game as he posted career highs in tackles with 6 solos and 7 assisted tackles. He also had two and a half sacks for 19 yards to lead the Spartan defense.

The Spartans won the coin toss for the overtime period and wasted no time in scoring as Johnson, making his first start as a collegian found Howard Gilmore streaking across the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown reception. Howard (2-6, 1-4 MEAC) could not answer as they fell short on a 4th and 5 from the Norfolk State 20-yardline. Travis Coleman’s pass to Dariel Nunn was right on time, as was NSU free safety Marcus Gray who tackled Nunn one yard short of a first down to seal the victory for Norfolk State.

Neither team could muster much offense as both defenses’s sparkled in windy conditions. Norfolk State’s defense held the Bison to only 11 yards passing on the day and 145 yards of total offense. Senior defensive back, Kyle Grove recorded five solo tackles and had four pass break ups. Jamal Naji chipped in with four solos and five assisted tackles for NSU. Howard used three quarterbacks on the day and never found its rhythm on offense but held the Spartans to 124 yards of total offense.

Johnson completed 7 of 22 passes for 89 yards and Gilmore had three catches for 34 yards to lead NSU. . Oby Arah had a monster day for Howard, as he recorded 3.5 sacks for 42 yards and had seven solo tackles to lead a Bison defense that had eight sacks for 77 yards. Jay Colbert led Howard with 93 yards on 13 carries.

Norfolk State travels to Baltimore, MD this week to face Morgan State. Game time is set for 1pm. Howard will entertain South Carolina State in Washington, DC. Game time is set for 12 noon.

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