Battle of the Bay: Battered Norfolk State turns focus to Hampton after lopsided losses
One thing “guarantee games” typically ensure besides a hefty payout is injuries.
“The injury report is about as long as the second page of the newspaper,” Norfolk State football coach Dawson Odums said, “so we’ll see how it unfolds.”
The Spartans (0-2) are reeling after two lopsided losses to Football Bowl Subdivision programs in Marshall and James Madison. Those games are vital to small FCS programs like Norfolk State because the bigger schools pay them in the mid-six-figure range or higher, keeping the small programs financially healthy.
“Since I’ve been head coach, I’ve been 0-2 or 1-2 every year because I’ve been at schools where you gotta bring in your amount of money to get your program where it needs to be,” Odums said. “It’s a different schedule, but the same predicament.”
The sacrifice of player health — players at FBS schools are simply bigger, stronger and faster — for financial gain is a cold reality of college football. So the Spartans, licking their wounds, now turn toward Hampton in the Battle of the Bay at 2 p.m. today.
“We’re beat, banged up. We gotta survive,” Odums said. “We’re gonna need all the support that you can get. We got a lot of guys that’ll be a game-time decision.”
But NSU is motivated not just for the rivalry, but for the chance to play an equal opponent.
“I think the speed of the game is something that we’re gonna realize is a little bit different,” Odums said. “The caliber of lineman in the interior will be a little bit different. The friction, the contact — I mean these guys are built a little different for the contact football requires.”
Most curiosity will involve the offense. Eastern Illinois transfer Otto Kuhns has started both games at quarterback, with backup Jaylan Adams, a transfer from The Citadel, seeing playing time.
Kuhns improved in the second game, going from just 30 yards against Marshall to 203 yards, including a 90-yard TD pass to Da’Quan Felton, against JMU.
“Da’Quan Felton had a great game along with the rest of the receivers,” offensive coordinator Ryan Meyers said. “They’ve shown a ton of promise. The quarterback showed he could hold onto the ball ‘til the last second. The O-line is continuing to grow and get better. The really great thing is our team is still together.”
But against those bigger defensive linemen, the running attack has been nonexistent. Preseason MEAC Offensive Player of the Year J.J. Davis rushed for 11 yards against a Marshall team that beat then-No. 8 Notre Dame the following week. He gained 1 yard against JMU.
“The first two games, he hasn’t had a chance to be the player we know he can be,” Odums said. “Very limited chances, I think. [The team is] embarrassed. They’re frustrated. I think they’re that way in a good way.”
In contrast, Hampton has opened 2-0 with wins over Howard and Division II Tuskegee. Based on his size and consistent output, Pirates wide receiver Jadakis Bonds looks like a legitimate NFL prospect.
“They’re very explosive on offense,” Odums said. “They have one of the better receivers in their conference and the country. Very solid, very fundamentally sound.”
Shifting focus from survival to rival isn’t simple, but Odums expects a strong performance.
“It’s draining, but I do think playing a rivalry team, it interjects something into you,” Odums said, “because it’s pride. It’s bragging rights. You gotta show up and they gotta play well. That’s our expectations.”
Ray Nimmo, ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com
Battle of the Bay
Who: Hampton (2-0) at Norfolk State (0-2)
When: 2 p.m. today
On the air: ESPN+, 91.1FM
Inside: Game-day guide, Page 2
