Norfolk State Football Game Program vs. S.C. State by Matt Michalec

Saturday, NOVEMBEr 20, 2021 • 2 PM NoRfolk STaTe vS SoUTH CaRolINa STaTe MILItary aPPrECIatION/SENIOr day

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

AT L A N TA , G A

GAME PREVIEW ABOUT THE GAME The Norfolk State football team caps the 2021 season today when South Carolina State visits Dick Price Stadium for Military Appreciation and Senior Day. SCOUTING THE SPARTANS In their last time out, the Spartans saw Delaware State rally from a 26-0 halftime deficit by scoring 28 unanswered points - 21 in the fourth quarter - to top NSU 28-26 last Saturday in Dover. The loss dropped the Spartans out of MEAC title contention and by default awarded the Celebration Bowl bid to South Carolina State. NSU scored first on a 3-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown by Christian Ruffin in the first quarter. J.J. Davis and Cameryn Brent scored on short touchdown runs and Juwan Carter threw a 3-yard TD pass to Justin Smith to stake the Spartans to a big early lead. But Jared Lewis threw three TD passes in the second half - two on fourth down - to help DSU rally. Davis rushed for 115 yards on 20 carries, his third straight game over the century mark. The redshirt freshman now leads the MEAC with 854 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, De’Shaan Dixon (9.0) and Chris Myers (5.5) are 1-2, respectively, in the MEAC in sacks. SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS S.C. State enters this weekend 5-5 on the year after a 27-17 loss to North Carolina A&T. The Bulldogs outgained the Aggies 379-221, but a blocked punt led to one Aggie touchdown and A&T sealed the win with an interception return for touchdown in the closing minutes. Kendrell Flowers rushed for 160 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries for SCSU. He is third in the MEAC with 639 rushing yards this season. The Bulldogs won their first four MEAC games, and since they defeated second-place N.C. Central, they have wrapped up at least a share of the MEAC title and the conference’s berth in the Celebration Bowl next month. SCSU’s

wins over NCCU, Delaware State and Howard came by a combined 12 points. SERIES HISTORY This is the 25th meeting all-time between NSU and SCSU. The Bulldogs lead the series with NSU 19-4, with one Spartan win vacated. SCSU beat NSU 20-17 in overtime at Dick Price Stadium on Nov. 23, 2019 in the teams’ last matchup. Dillon Bredsen kicked a tying 29-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, then hit a 27-yarder in OT to give SCSU the win. SENIORS MAKE THEIR MARK Today, NSU honors 12 seniors who played an integral role within the NSU football program over the last five years. Collectively, the group put their names in the record books by notching the first winning season in school history since 2011. Seniors being recognized today include: Cameryn Brent, Juwan Carter, Josh Culberson, Zac Denton, De’Shaan Dixon, Marcque Ellington, Matt Hodges, Chris Myers, Josh Nardone, Jalen Powell, Justin Smith and Anthony Williams. NO. 1 AND STILL COUNTING Carter wraps up his memorable NSU career today as the school’s all-time leader in total offensive yards and pass-

ing yards. He broke Aaron Sparrow’s career mark for passing yards at North Carolina Central on Nov. 6. With one game left to play, Carter has 9,962 yards of total offense, 9,031 through the air. NEW KID ON THE BLOCK J.J. Davis may be listed as a freshman, but he doesn’t play like it. The transfer from the University of Cincinnati - who redshirted with the Bearcats in 2019 before transferring to NSU holds the MEAC rushing lead through 10 games, with 854 yards. That is the most yards by a Spartan since Rolandan Finch had 1,113 in 2013. What’s more impressive: Davis has done his damage on 113 attempts while sharing carries in a talented NSU backfield. He is averaging 7.6 yards per carry, third-best in the nation. TRUSTY TRENCHMEN NSU has won the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week award eight times this year in its 10 games. LG Jalen Powell started the streak following the Wake Forest game and received his second such award after the Howard victory. C Colby Byrd won it following the Elizabeth City, VUL and Morgan State games, and RG Justin Redd won it after St. Francis, Hampton and NCCU games. That group has helped the Spartans lead the MEAC and rank 10th nation-

J.J. Davis has rushed for a MEAC-leading 854 yards this year and has topped the 100-yard mark in three straight games. (Photo by Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills)

GAME PREVIEW ally in rushing so far, at 221.8 yards per game. NSU rushed for more than 300 yards three times this year, with a high of 328 at N.C. Central.

won the last three Rookie of the Week awards and five total this year. He was also MEAC Player of the Week after rushing for 217 yards on 18 carries at NCCU.

DIXON INVITED TO SHRINE GAME NSU senior defensive end De’Shaan Dixon was recently recognized for his strong play when he was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Feb. 3, 2022 in Las Vegas. Dixon will be the second Spartan ever to play in the all-star game and first since Don Carey participated in the 2009 Shrine Game. The Shrine Game is the oldest and one of the most prestigious showcases for draft-eligible senior football players. Dixon enters this weekend leading the MEAC with 11.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

SCORING SPREE The Spartans are averaging 34.4 points per game, well ahead of their school Division I-era record pace of 28.9 set in 2019. The overall school record for scoring offense in a season is 36.0 in 1995. The 1994 season (34.5) was the only other time a Spartan team averaged more than 30 points per game for an entire season. The Spartans scored at least 40 points in three straight games (vs. Hampton, Va.-Lynchburg, Howard), a feat which has happened just twice previously in school history and not since 1993.

STREAKING SPARTANS The Spartans’ earlier six-game winning streak matched the second-longest in school history. Only the 1984 CIAA championship team, with eight in a row, had a longer streak in Spartan history.

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 14 tackles and broken up three passes in nine games this season. He also caught a fake punt for 17 yards and a first down against the Rams.

OTHER AWARD WINNERS NSU has been a fixture in the weekly MEAC award winners. Aside from the six offensive line awards, NSU has won a total of 15 other weekly conference honors. Most recently, J.J Davis has

MEAC at a Glance 2021 Standings South Carolina State North Carolina Central Delaware State Norfolk State Howard Morgan State

Conf. Overall W-L W-L 4-0 5-5 3-1 5-5 2-2 5-5 2-2 6-4 1-4 2-8 1-4 1-9

Last Week’s Results Albany 41, Morgan State 14 Delaware State 28, Norfolk State 26 N.C. Central 45, Howard 27 N.C. A&T 27, S.C. State 17 This Week’s Games Georgetown at Morgan State............. 12 p.m. Va.-Lynchburg at Howard........................1 p.m. Delaware State at N.C. Central...............2 p.m. S.C. State at Norfolk State........................2 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

De’Shaan Dixon (pictured) was recently invited to attend the East-West Shrine Game for college senior stars. His nine sacks lead the MEAC in 2021. (Photo by Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills)

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

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.

NORFOLK STATE ROSTER

NO. NAME

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

NO. NAME

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

Christopher Price

57 Demetrius Johnson

6-1 210 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Maury HS

Marcque Ellington

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

Terique Miles

6-3 210 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Palmetto Prep

Kevin Johnson

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

Javoni Hales

5-11 210 Fr.

Newport News, Va./Menchville HS

Justin Smith

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

Dyral McMillan

6-3 295 Fr.

Charlotte, N.C./Jireh Prep

Anthony Williams

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

Kole Williams

6-0 215 Fr.

Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS

Devyn Coles

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

Jalen Powell

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

Da’Kendall James

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

Taro Lipscomb

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

Tayvion Land

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

Jeff Woods

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

Juwan Carter

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

Justin Redd

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

Bobby Dunn

6-1 180 Fr.

Ian Williams

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

Tremayne Talbert

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

Silas Fitzgerald

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

Shaviaea Williams

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

Colby Byrd

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

Jonah Fitzgerald

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

Andrew Nickens

6-3 300 Fr.

Cameryn Brent

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

78/88 Josh Culberson

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

J.J. Davis

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

79 Desmond Kelly

6-4 290 Fr.

Christian Ruffin

5-11 175 Fr.

Noah Spencer

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

Kyler Davis

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

Ademola Faleye

De’Shaan Dixon

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

Kevin Gayles

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

Tyler Long

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

Da’Quan Felton

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

Stuart Anderson Jr.

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

Tavian Morris

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

Brandon Savage

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

Vincent Jarvis

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

Cameron Foreman

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

Jayden Kelley

Rayquan Smith

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

Lukai Hatcher

WR 6-0 160 Fr.

Chris Butler

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

Shawn McFarland

Collis Pride

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

Demani Ward

WR 5-9 165 Fr.

Sivon Pleasants

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

Remy Feltes

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

Shamar Hill

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

Mac Petit

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

R.J. Coles

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

Miles Fludd

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

Justin Toler

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

Levontae Jacobs

6-3 255 Fr.

Salisbury, N.C./West Rowan HS

Shy’Keem Hussey

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

Matthieu Watts

6-3 215 Fr.

Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS

Ryan Richter

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

97 Bernard Heath

5-11 250 Fr.

Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra

Lex Henry

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

Chris Myers

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

Steve Ashby

6-0 175 Jr.

Amadeu Vital

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

Josh Nardone

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

Jaylin Barmer

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

Shawn Johnson

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

Tristan Brooks

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

Devon Allen

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

Jordan Bryant

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

Johnathan Gregory

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

Jonathan Hall

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

38 Jeff Foster

6-1 175 Fr.

Anthony Hill

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

Imani Bey

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

Chris Jones

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

Pierre Royster

6-1 185 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS

Zane Killgo

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

Jayden Smith

6-1 180 Fr.

Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS

Justis Monsanto

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

Zion Lewis

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

Omar Morrisey

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

Jaylen White

5-9 185 Fr.

Bryce Stratton

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

Brent Stratton

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

Zac Denton

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

Head Coach: Dawson Odums

Kameron Lewis

6-2 170 Fr.

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

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

Ricky Harleston

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

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

Matt Hodges

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

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

(CB Coach), Ryan Meyers (QB Coach)

Anthony Blume

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

D’Montre’ Smith

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

D.J. Djonkam

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

Baron Franks II

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

Marquis Hall

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

SOUTH CAROLINA ASSISTANT STATE COACHES ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. HT. WT. YR.

HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

NO. NAME

POS. HT.

Zafir Kelly

Columbia, S.C./Irmo HS

Zione Meadows

6-1

Shaquan Davis

WR 6-5 180

R-So. Summerville, S.C./Summerville HS

Nathaniel Wilcox

6-1 242

Corey Fields

6-0 188

R-So. Hollywood, S.C./Baptist Hill HS

Jehu Seizeme

6-2

233 Fr.

Anderson, S.C./Westside HS

Tyrece Nick

6-0 170

Sr.

Jerome Robinson

6-2

278 Fr.

Newark, N.J./Camden HS

Demarkis Doe

6-3 183

R-So. Williston, S.C./Williston Elko HS

Chandler Muller

6-2

338 Fr.

Columbia, S.C./Ridge View HS

BJ Davis

6-2 189

R-So. Blair, S.C./South Pointe HS

Ian Shark

6-3

325 Fr.

Walterboro, S.C./Collenton County HS

Jacory Benson

5-9 190

R-Jr. Seneca, S.C./Seneca HS

Demetrius Harris

6-3

347 Fr.

Abbeville, S.C./Abbeville HS

Juwan Moody

WR 5-10 160

R-So. Conway, S.C./Conway HS

Brandon Tucker

6-1 285

Jr.

Columbia, S.C./Blythewood HS

Jalen Barr

R-So. Lake City, S.C./Lake City HS

Eli Young

6-4 348

Fr.

Hopkins, S.C./Grey Collegiate Acad.

Will Vereen

WR 5-11 200

R-Jr. Little River, S.C./Myrtle Beach HS

Alfred Williams

6-3 314

R-Fr. Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe HS

Duane Nichols

6-0 210

R-Jr. Lake View, S.C./Lake View HS

John Guthrie

6-3 300

R-Jr. Duncan, S.C./Byrnes HS

Chad Gilchrist

6-2 220

R-Sr. Johnston, S.C./Strom Thurmond HS

Tison Gray

6-4 300

R-Jr. Columbia, S.C./Keenan HS

Jaylen Evans

6-0 185

R-Jr. Hartsville, S.C./Hartsville HS

Cam Johnson

6-2 285

R-Fr. Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork HS

Jordan Smith

WR 5-10 165

Fr.

Wheslen McCleod

6-2 319

R-Fr. West Columbia, S.C./Gray Collegiate Ac.

Quincy Hill

6-2 165

R-So. Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley HS

Eric Brown,Jr.

6-3 336

Fr.

Hartsville, S.C./Hartsville HS

Decobie Durant

5-11 175

R-Jr. Lamar, S.C./Lamar HS

Dallas Foard

6-4 270

So.

Concord, N.C./Central Cabarrus HS

Tim Ewing

5-11 170

R-Jr. Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood HS

Nick Taiste

6-1 295

Fr.

West Columbia, S.C./White Knoll HS

Andres Walker

6-3 200

R-Fr. Hapeville, Ga./Hapeville Charter

Tim McNeil

6-3 319

R-Fr. Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County HS

Taurean Singletary

6-2 165

R-Fr. Dorchester S.C./Woodland High School

Jaelyn Perry

WR 6-0 192

Fr.

Aquavious Hunter

5-10 155

Fr.

Jordan Springs

R-Fr. Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork HS

Rakim White

WR 6-4 181

Fr.

Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton HS

Eric Haynes

WR 6-5 194

Fr.

Ridge Ford

5-9 183

R-Sr. Durham, N.C./Hillside HS

Jaelin Gray

WR 5-11 182

Fr.

West Columbia, S.C./White Knoll HS

Kendall Moultrie

5-11 170

R-So. Latta, S.C./Latta HS

T’quele Holmes

6-0 175

Gr.

Tigerville, S.C./North Greenville

Alex James

5-11 200

Gr.

Florence, S.C./Albany State (NY)

Westin Williams

6-2 241 R-Fr. Wagener, S.C./WageneR-Salley HS

Xayvion Knox

5-11 182

Fr.

Myrtle Beach, S.C./Myrtle Beach HS

Richard Bailey

WR 5-10 148

R-Jr. Hollywood, S.C./Baptist Hill HS

Marcus Morrison

5-10 168

Fr.

Summerville, S.C./Woodland HS

Hezekiah Massey

WR 6-2 190

Fr.

Chris Simmons

5-11 185

R-Fr. Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS

Kris Chapman

WR 6-2 230

Sr.

Society Hill, S.C./Trinity Collegiate

Jamre Benjamin

6-2 180

Fr.

Zack Felder

WR 6-3 205

Jr.

Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS

Kendrell Flowers

6-0 207

R-Fr. Columbia, S.C./Irmo HS/Wake Forrest

Timothy Shelton

6-1 300

Fr.

Conway, S.C./Conway HS

Donte Anthony

5-11 198

R-So. Fountain Inn, S.C./Hillcrest HS

Antonio Anderson

6-3 250

Jr.

Hopkins, S.C./Lower Richland HS

Michael Brunson

5-9 155

Fr.

St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County

Darrell Brown

6-2 265

R-Jr. Florence, S.C./South Florence HS

Aaron Smith

6-2 218

Fr.

Manning, S.C./Manning HS

Najon Barber

6-3 290

Fr.

Gavyn Zimmerman

5-11 130 Fr.

Sumter, S.C./Crestwood HS

Shaheem Haltiwanger DL

6-3 255

R-So. Lexington, S.C./White Knoll HS

Dyson Roberts

P/K 5-11 187

Fr.

Sumter, S.C./Sumter HS

Dajon Funderburk

6-2 318

Fr.

Chris Austin

6-0 200

Fr.

Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS

Octaveon Minter

6-2 245 Fr.

Chester, S.C./Chester HS

Jeblonski Green

6-0

274 R-Jr. Lamar, S.C./Lamar HS

Jared Kirksey

6-2 268

Clemson, S.C./Daniel HS

Tyrone Hicks

6-2

211 R-Fr. Johns Island, S.C./St. Johns HS

Andre Brown

6-2

215 R-Jr. Summerton, S.C./Scotts Branch HS

Head Coach: Oliver “Buddy” Pough

Adonis Davis

6-0

191 Fr.

Assistant Coaches: David Blanchard (Assistant Head Coach/DL Coach), Gerald Harrison

Caleb Brown

6-2

190 R-Jr. Florence, S.C./Wilson HS

John Sloan,III

5-10 238 R-Jr. West Columbia, S.C./Gray Collegiate Ac.

Dhani Dixon

5-8

Tykese Walker

5-9 160

R-Fr. Gilbert, S.C./Gilbert HS

Patrick Godbolt

6-3 235

So.

Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS

DJ Hutcherson

5-10 213

Fr.

Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS

Lenin Romero

5-10 195

Fr.

Estill, S.C./Estill HS

Ethan Tullock

5-10 190

Fr.

St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County HS

Lawson Danley

6-2 225

So. Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork HS

Yancy Washington

6-2 230

R-So. North Charleston, S.C./North Charleston HS

Khalil Ellis

6-2 261

R-Jr. Rock Hill, S.C./ York HS

Jayvion Snow

5-11 200 Fr. Monks Corner, S.C./Berkley High School

Jalen Page

6-2 285

R-Sr. Florence, S.C./Wilson HS

Chris Simon

6-4 270

R-So. Dalzell,S.C./Crestwood HS

Karrlen Waymyer

6-3

247 Fr. Neeses, S.C./HunteR-Kinard-Tyler HS

Ahman Tate

6-1

275 Fr. Snellville, Ga./Shiloh HS

6-1 170

5-11 190

Sr.

202 Fr.

Johnston, S.C./Strom Thurmond HS

Columbia, S.C./Ridge View HS

Louisville, Ga./Jefferson County HS

Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS

Blackville, S.C./Blackville-Hilda HS

Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS

WT. YR. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL 236 Fr.

6-2 237

Fr.

Greenville, S.C./JL Mann HS Cutler Bay, S.C./Southridge HS

Summerville, S.C./Woodland HS Columbia, S.C./River Bluff HS

Clover, S.C./Clover HS

Hopkins, S.C./Ridge View HS Pageland, S.C./Pageland Central HS

(Defensive Tackles), Steve Bird (WR Coach), Jonathan Saxon (Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach), Na’Shan Goddard (OL Coach), Bennet Swygert (Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach), Zach Edmunds (RB Coach), Chris Parrott (Defensive Assistant), Terrell Vaughn (TE Coach)

PROJECTED LINEUPS When Norfolk State Has the Ball

NSU OFFENSE POS. NO. NAME

HT. WT. YR.

SCSU DEFENSE POS. NO. NAME

ZWR TE LT LG C RG RT SWR XWR QB RB

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

DE NT DT DE WLB MLB SLB CB FS SS CB

83 4 69 65 74 70 53 1 3 8 13

Da’Quan Felton Anthony Williams Jeff Woods Jalen Powell Colby Byrd Justin Redd D’Montre’ Smith Marcque Ellington Justin Smith Juwan Carter Cameryn Brent

185 235 290 280 290 315 320 210 180 175 200

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

When South Carolina State Has the Ball

SCSU OFFENSE POS. NO. NAME WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR WR QB RB

9 48 73 77 76 72 53 86 87 2 26

Will Vereen Yancy Washington Cam Johnson Dallas Foard Eric Brown Jr. Tison Gray Chris Simon Richard Bailey Hezekiah Massey Corey Fields Kendrell Flowers

NSU Special Teams POS. NO. NAME

PK P KO LS Hold KR PR

34 31 31 46 20 2 10

96 Shaheem Haltiwanger 6-3 65 Brandon Tucker 6-1 98 Octaveon Minter 6-2 43 Patrick Godbolt 6-3 5 B.J. Davis 6-2 11 Chad Gilchrist 6-2 24 Chris Simmons 6-0 14 Decobie Durant 5-11 12 Jaylen Evans 6-0 8 Jalen Barr 6-0 0 Zafir Kelly 6-1

255 265 245 235 189 220 205 175 180 180 170

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

HT. WT. YR.

NSU DEFENSE POS. NO. NAME

HT. WT. YR.

5-11 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-5 5-10 6-2 6-0 5-11

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

200 230 285 270 336 300 280 148 190 188 214

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

HT. WT. YR.

Josh Nardone 5-11 Ryan Richter 6-1 Ryan Richter 6-1 Zac Denton 5-10 Stuart Anderson Jr. 6-3 Kevin Johnson 6-0 Tremayne Talbert 5-9

Subject to change

HT. WT. YR.

200 190 190 185 210 175 170

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

SCSU 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.

K P LS

5-11 187 Fr. 5-11 187 Fr. 6-4 205 R-Jr.

32 32 59

Dyson Roberts Dyson Roberts Caleb Brown

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

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.

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

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,

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 10/30 2 PM

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