Norfolk State (1-3) at VMI (0-3)
When: 1:30 p.m.
On the air: ESPN+, 91.1FM
The Spartans: Norfolk State has shown it’s a capable team but consistency has plagued them thus far in 2024, the perfect example being last week’s 37-7 loss to Hampton. Head coach Dawson Odums said this week he feels they let NSU faithful down and have plenty of motivation to get back in the win column. Norfolk State’s run defense and run offense had been dominant in its first three games, but both failed to show up against HU. Norfolk State will have preseason All-MEAC quarterback Otto Kuhns back from NCAA suspension on Saturday, but Odums emphasized Jalen Daniels (469 yards, three TDs) will remain the starter.
The Keydets: VMI has had a rough start to its second year under head coach Danny Rocco after blowout losses against William & Mary, Georgia Tech and a bout with Bucknell. VMI had four different quarterbacks play against the Yellow Jackets last week with Chandler Wilson getting the start after Collin Shannon sustained an injury against Bucknell. Running back Hunter Rice ranks second in the Southern Conference with 257 yards and three touchdowns.
— Michael Sauls
Hampton (2-1) vs Howard (2-1) at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
When: 4 p.m.
On the air: Monumental Sports Network, 88.1FM
The Pirates: Hampton was dominant in last week’s big rivalry win over Norfolk State. The Pirates moved the ball with ease against the Spartans and had no trouble stopping the ball on defense. Quarterback Chris Zellous is coming off the most accurate game of his career, but Boykin said he and Malcolm Mays will continue to share quarterback duties. Hampton enters Saturday’s game on a seven-game winning streak over Howard and has won 21 of the last 25 matchups, including a 14-game win streak from 1997 to 2010.
The Bison: With the exception of a loss to Rutgers (FBS), the defending MEAC champ has played lights out and is leads the MEAC in total offense and defense. Ja’Shawn Scroggins was under center for the Bison in the first two games, totaling 273 passing yards and 189 rushing yards, while Jaylon Tolbert was the only quarterback to play against Morehouse, and he earned a MEAC Offensive Player of the Week nod after throwing for 267 yards and four touchdowns.
— Michael Sauls
Furman (1-2) at No. 13 William & Mary (2-1)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
On the air: FloFootball.com; 92.3FM The Tide; TribeAthletics.com
The Paladins: A top 25 team prior to the season, Furman rebounded from a loss to Charleston Southern with a 48-7 over Stetson. Freshman QB Trey Hedden has passed for 487 yards and three TDs, much of that to favorite target WR Joshua Harris (13 receptions, 257 yards, two TDs). Nose tackle Xavier Stephens (6-foot-3, 292 pounds) has three sacks and will be a blocking challenge for the W&M offensive line.
The Tribe: W&M enters off of a solid 28-21 road win at Wofford, where it used a late touchdown and a defensive stand deep in its own territory in the final seconds to seal the victory. The Tribe is averaging 30 points through three games thanks to balance in the rushing (196.7 ypg) and passing attacks, while converting more than half of its third downs. The Tribe defense is one of the nation’s best at stopping opponents on third down, in large part because it is fourth nationally in passing efficiency defense.
— Marty O’Brien
Christopher Newport (1-1) at Gettysburg (1-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
On the air: Xtra 99.1FM; CNUsports.com
The Bullets: Gettysburg is the Captains’ second Centennial Conference opponent in as many weeks. The Bullets have had no problem putting points on the board, falling to Montclair State 27-26 last week on a last-second field goal, after opening the season with a 61-41 win over Juniata. The Bullets’ offense is nicely balanced between the run (265.5 ypg) and the pass (235.5 ypg). However the defense has been porous, allowing 442.5 yards per game.
The Captains: CNU beat Gettysburg 49-17 a year ago, as QB Connor Barry threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Because all-time passing yardage leader QB Matt Dzierski will miss this game with a foot injury, Barry gets the start against the Bullets. He’ll lean heavily on Gunner White, who ran for two TDs last year against the Bullets. The CNU defense was stellar in its first two games, allowing just 180 yards in a 14-3 loss last week to No. 7 Johns Hopkins.
— Marty O’Brien
Thaddeus Stevens (1-2) at Apprentice (1-1)
When: 2 p.m.
On the air: youtube.com/@GoBuilderSports
The Bulldogs: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology defeated the Builders 24-21 last season in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This year, Stevens lost 27-8 to Hudson Valley Community College and 21-16 to Erie CC before beating Maryland Showtime Prep 21-6. Oscar Condo, who split time at quarterback last season, now is the offensive focal point.
The Builders: Quarterback Grant Swanger and receivers T.K. Petty, Jasiah Beacham and Makegan Piorkowski have formed a potent combination, and Ty Taylor has led the ground game of an offense averaging 36 points per game. Apprentice’s defense is looking to bounce back after yielding 554 yards (446 rushing) in a 68-28 loss at Washington and Lee last week.
— Sonny Dearth
