Norfolk State Football Game Program vs. S.C. State

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

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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)

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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)

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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

D

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.

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NORFOLK STATE ROSTER

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NO. NAME

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

NO. NAME

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

0

Christopher Price

QB

57 Demetrius Johnson

LB

6-1 210 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Maury HS

1

Marcque Ellington

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

58

Terique Miles

LB

6-3 210 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Palmetto Prep

2

Kevin Johnson

RB

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

59

Javoni Hales

LB

5-11 210 Fr.

Newport News, Va./Menchville HS

3

Justin Smith

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

60

Dyral McMillan

OL

6-3 295 Fr.

Charlotte, N.C./Jireh Prep

4

Anthony Williams

TE

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

64

Kole Williams

LB

6-0 215 Fr.

Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River HS

5

Devyn Coles

DB

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

65

Jalen Powell

OL

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

6

Da’Kendall James

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

66

Taro Lipscomb

OL

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

7

Tayvion Land

DB

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

69

Jeff Woods

OL

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

8

Juwan Carter

QB

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

70

Justin Redd

OL

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

9

Bobby Dunn

QB

6-1 180 Fr.

71

Ian Williams

OL

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

10

Tremayne Talbert

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

73

Silas Fitzgerald

OL

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

11

Shaviaea Williams

DB

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

74

Colby Byrd

OL

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

12

Jonah Fitzgerald

QB

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

76

Andrew Nickens

OL

6-3 300 Fr.

13

Cameryn Brent

RB

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

78/88 Josh Culberson

OL

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

15

J.J. Davis

RB

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

79 Desmond Kelly

OL

6-4 290 Fr.

16

Christian Ruffin

DB

5-11 175 Fr.

80

Noah Spencer

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

17

Kyler Davis

QB

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

81

Ademola Faleye

TE

18

De’Shaan Dixon

DL

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

82

Kevin Gayles

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

19

Tyler Long

LB

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

83

Da’Quan Felton

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

20

Stuart Anderson Jr.

DB

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

84

Tavian Morris

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

21

Brandon Savage

DB

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

85

Vincent Jarvis

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

22

Cameron Foreman

DB

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

86

Jayden Kelley

TE

23

Rayquan Smith

RB

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

87

Lukai Hatcher

WR 6-0 160 Fr.

24

Chris Butler

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

88

Shawn McFarland

TE

25

Collis Pride

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

89

Demani Ward

WR 5-9 165 Fr.

26

Sivon Pleasants

RB

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

90

Remy Feltes

DL

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

27

Shamar Hill

DL

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

91

Mac Petit

DL

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

28

R.J. Coles

DB

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

93

Miles Fludd

DL

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

29

Justin Toler

DB

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

95

Levontae Jacobs

DL

6-3 255 Fr.

Salisbury, N.C./West Rowan HS

30

Shy’Keem Hussey

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

96

Matthieu Watts

DL

6-3 215 Fr.

Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS

31

Ryan Richter

P

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

97 Bernard Heath

DL

5-11 250 Fr.

Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra

32

Lex Henry

RB

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

98

Chris Myers

DL

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

33

Steve Ashby

DB

6-0 175 Jr.

99

Amadeu Vital

DL

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

34

Josh Nardone

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

Jaylin Barmer

DL

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

35

Shawn Johnson

DL

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

Tristan Brooks

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

36

Devon Allen

DB

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

37

Johnathan Gregory

DB

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

Jonathan Hall

LB

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

38 Jeff Foster

DB

6-1 175 Fr.

Anthony Hill

DL

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

39

Imani Bey

DL

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

Chris Jones

OL

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

40

Pierre Royster

DB

6-1 185 Fr.

Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS

Zane Killgo

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

41

Jayden Smith

DB

6-1 180 Fr.

Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS

Justis Monsanto

DL

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

43

Zion Lewis

DB

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

Omar Morrisey

OL

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

44

Jaylen White

DB

5-9 185 Fr.

Bryce Stratton

TE

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

45

Brent Stratton

RB

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

46

Zac Denton

LS

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

Head Coach: Dawson Odums

47

Kameron Lewis

DB

6-2 170 Fr.

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

48

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

49

Ricky Harleston

DB

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

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

50

Matt Hodges

LB

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

LB

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

(CB Coach), Ryan Meyers (QB Coach)

52

Anthony Blume

DL

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

53

D’Montre’ Smith

OL

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

54

D.J. Djonkam

DL

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

55

Baron Franks II

OL

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

56

Marquis Hall

LB

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.

0

Zafir Kelly

DB

Columbia, S.C./Irmo HS

56

Zione Meadows

DE

6-1

1

Shaquan Davis

WR 6-5 180

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

57

Nathaniel Wilcox

DE

6-1 242

2

Corey Fields

QB

6-0 188

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

58

Jehu Seizeme

DE

6-2

233 Fr.

Anderson, S.C./Westside HS

3

Tyrece Nick

QB

6-0 170

Sr.

59

Jerome Robinson

OL

6-2

278 Fr.

Newark, N.J./Camden HS

4

Demarkis Doe

DB

6-3 183

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

60

Chandler Muller

OL

6-2

338 Fr.

Columbia, S.C./Ridge View HS

5

BJ Davis

LB

6-2 189

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

62

Ian Shark

OL

6-3

325 Fr.

Walterboro, S.C./Collenton County HS

6

Jacory Benson

RB

5-9 190

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

63

Demetrius Harris

OL

6-3

347 Fr.

Abbeville, S.C./Abbeville HS

7

Juwan Moody

WR 5-10 160

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

65

Brandon Tucker

DL

6-1 285

Jr.

Columbia, S.C./Blythewood HS

8

Jalen Barr

S

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

68

Eli Young

OL

6-4 348

Fr.

Hopkins, S.C./Grey Collegiate Acad.

9

Will Vereen

WR 5-11 200

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

70

Alfred Williams

OL

6-3 314

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

10

Duane Nichols

DB

6-0 210

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

71

John Guthrie

OL

6-3 300

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

11

Chad Gilchrist

LB

6-2 220

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

72

Tison Gray

OL

6-4 300

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

12

Jaylen Evans

DB

6-0 185

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

73

Cam Johnson

OL

6-2 285

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

13

Jordan Smith

WR 5-10 165

Fr.

74

Wheslen McCleod

OL

6-2 319

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

14

Quincy Hill

QB

6-2 165

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

76

Eric Brown,Jr.

OL

6-3 336

Fr.

Hartsville, S.C./Hartsville HS

14

Decobie Durant

DB

5-11 175

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

77

Dallas Foard

OL

6-4 270

So.

Concord, N.C./Central Cabarrus HS

16

Tim Ewing

DB

5-11 170

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

78

Nick Taiste

OL

6-1 295

Fr.

West Columbia, S.C./White Knoll HS

16

Andres Walker

QB

6-3 200

R-Fr. Hapeville, Ga./Hapeville Charter

79

Tim McNeil

OL

6-3 319

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

17

Taurean Singletary

QB

6-2 165

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

80

Jaelyn Perry

WR 6-0 192

Fr.

18

Aquavious Hunter

DB

5-10 155

Fr.

81

Jordan Springs

TE

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

19

Rakim White

WR 6-4 181

Fr.

Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton HS

82

Eric Haynes

WR 6-5 194

Fr.

20

Ridge Ford

DB

5-9 183

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

83

Jaelin Gray

WR 5-11 182

Fr.

West Columbia, S.C./White Knoll HS

21

Kendall Moultrie

DB

5-11 170

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

84

T’quele Holmes

WR

6-0 175

Gr.

Tigerville, S.C./North Greenville

22

Alex James

RB

5-11 200

Gr.

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

86

Westin Williams

DL

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

23

Xayvion Knox

RB

5-11 182

Fr.

Myrtle Beach, S.C./Myrtle Beach HS

86

Richard Bailey

WR 5-10 148

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

23

Marcus Morrison

DB

5-10 168

Fr.

Summerville, S.C./Woodland HS

87

Hezekiah Massey

WR 6-2 190

Fr.

24

Chris Simmons

DB

5-11 185

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

88

Kris Chapman

WR 6-2 230

Sr.

Society Hill, S.C./Trinity Collegiate

25

Jamre Benjamin

DB

6-2 180

Fr.

89

Zack Felder

WR 6-3 205

Jr.

Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS

26

Kendrell Flowers

RB

6-0 207

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

91

Timothy Shelton

DL

6-1 300

Fr.

Conway, S.C./Conway HS

27

Donte Anthony

DB

5-11 198

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

92

Antonio Anderson

DL

6-3 250

Jr.

Hopkins, S.C./Lower Richland HS

28

Michael Brunson

DB

5-9 155

Fr.

St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County

93

Darrell Brown

DL

6-2 265

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

29

Aaron Smith

LB

6-2 218

Fr.

Manning, S.C./Manning HS

95

Najon Barber

DL

6-3 290

Fr.

30

Gavyn Zimmerman

K

5-11 130 Fr.

Sumter, S.C./Crestwood HS

96

Shaheem Haltiwanger DL

6-3 255

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

32

Dyson Roberts

P/K 5-11 187

Fr.

Sumter, S.C./Sumter HS

97

Dajon Funderburk

DL

6-2 318

Fr.

33

Chris Austin

LB

6-0 200

Fr.

Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS

98

Octaveon Minter

DL

6-2 245 Fr.

Chester, S.C./Chester HS

34

Jeblonski Green

LB

6-0

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

99

Jared Kirksey

DL

6-2 268

Clemson, S.C./Daniel HS

35

Tyrone Hicks

LB

6-2

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

36

Andre Brown

LB

6-2

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

Head Coach: Oliver “Buddy” Pough

38

Adonis Davis

LB

6-0

191 Fr.

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

39

Caleb Brown

LS

6-2

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

40

John Sloan,III

LB

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

41

Dhani Dixon

RB

5-8

42

Tykese Walker

RB

5-9 160

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

43

Patrick Godbolt

DL

6-3 235

So.

Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS

44

DJ Hutcherson

LB

5-10 213

Fr.

Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS

45

Lenin Romero

K

5-10 195

Fr.

Estill, S.C./Estill HS

46

Ethan Tullock

LB

5-10 190

Fr.

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

47

Lawson Danley

LB

6-2 225

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

48

Yancy Washington

TE

6-2 230

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

49

Khalil Ellis

TE

6-2 261

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

51

Jayvion Snow

LB

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

52

Jalen Page

OL

6-2 285

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

53

Chris Simon

OL

6-4 270

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

54

Karrlen Waymyer

DL

6-3

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

55

Ahman Tate

OL

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.

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)

5

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

6

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

D

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.

7

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

M

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,

8

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