Norfolk State 42, NC A&T 20

September 30, 2006

NORFOLK, Va. – Casey Hansen completed 11 of 17 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown and Rashad Howard returned a punt 55 yards for a score to lead host Norfolk State to a 42-20 win before 18,377 fans at the 59th annual Fish Bowl Classic on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium.

NSU’s fifth straight home win improved the Spartans to 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the MEAC. It is the Spartans’ first 3-1 start since the 1996 team opened 4-1.

Daryl Jones scored on two short touchdown runs for NSU, which out-gained the Aggies (0-4 overall, 0-2 MEAC) 439-239. The Spartans led 42-7 after three quarters.

Howard put NSU on top with his first career touchdown, a 55-yard punt return with 7:10 left in the first quarter. He also had another 55-yard punt return for a score called back in the third quarter due to a penalty, but still ended the night with 85 yards on three punt returns.

Jones scored twice in a span of a little more than five minutes to push NSU’s lead to 21-0. He scored on a 9-yard run on the last play of the first quarter and then found the end zone from 1 yard out with 9:54 left in the second quarter to cap a six-play, 68-yard drive.

The Aggies drew within 21-7 on a 13-yard TD pass from Wayne Campbell to Dion McNair with 7:51 left in the half, and A&T had a chance to get even closer. Aggie lineman LaShawn McLean sacked Hansen and forced a fumble, and the Aggies’ Antonio Johnson recovered at the NSU 14. But three plays later, NSU freshman safety Terrell Whitehead (Virginia Beach, Va.) intercepted a pass from Campbell at the NSU 1 to thwart the drive.

The Spartans then struck again, with Hansen finding Derrick Baker (Miami, Fla.) for a 52-yard TD pass. Their second TD hookup in as many games gave NSU a 28-7 lead going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Monte’ Anthony scored on a 1-yard run and DeAngelo Branche on a 9-yard run to push the Spartans’ lead to 42-7 heading into the final period.

The Aggies scored twice in the fourth, on Michael Ferguson’s 2-yard run and Campbell’s 6-yard pass to Spenser Spane. Campbell, the Aggies’ MVP, was 21-of-30 for 219 yards.

Branche led a balanced NSU rushing attack with 55 yards in 10 carries. Jones and Anthony had 40 yards apiece. Hansen earned MVP honors for NSU without playing the fourth quarter.

The NSU defense also played well, registering eight tackles for losses and five sacks. Dontae Anderson led the way with six tackles.

The Spartans hit the road for a 2 p.m. game next Saturday at South Carolina State.