CSJ Preview: FCS Playoffs Create a New Battle of Norfolk

[Lehigh Football Nation]

http://www.college-sports-journal.com/index.php/79-college-sports-journal/chuck-burton/113-fcs-playoffs-create-a-new-battle-of-norfolk


Old Dominion's and Norfolk State's football stadiums are separated by a mere 4.2 miles, yet they have never played each other.

But this Saturday, the Monarchs and Spartans will be playing in the perennially sold-out Foreman Field in what should be a real spectacle of FCS football.

Fittingly, the game is being billed as the "Battle of Norfolk", and anticipation in the city is sky-high. "The community has just exploded with support," a fan told the Virginian-Pilot. "People are fighting for tickets."

[alvinkayak6]

This is a huge possible statement game for the MEAC. A bad loss and the conference will not be getting its 2nd team voice heard for future NCAA selections.

[Tribe4SF]

Got the gametime wrong in the article. Kickoff is 1:30 pm.

[GridCaptain]

It would be great for the playoffs to have Norfolk State win. Go MEAC. If your officials get to work more than one weekend and fans have to suffer that fate then why not let one of your teams move forward too. CAA has too many teams in - Go Sparty.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Got the gametime wrong in the article. Kickoff is 1:30 pm.

Fixed.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I am really, really looking forward to this one - especially since I think Norfolk State is going to win. :D

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Wasn't this game supposed to be on ESPN3??????

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Found it. Click the watch now button then the event schedule pull down. It wasn't listed on the home page.

[inpsite1919]

Touchdown Spartans 7

[Big Dawg]

98 yard TD pass...NSU up early 7-0

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

ODU drives right down the field to tie it up at 7.

[UMass922]

ODU comes back after the long injury delay with an impressive TD drive . . . 7-7. Entertaining game so far!

[inpsite1919]

7-7. NSU defense needs to tighten up or its going to be a long day

[Big Dawg]

That was too easy for ODU

NSU 7 ODU 7 10:52 1st quarter

[WileECoyote06]

Two false start penalties. And they say homefield doesn't make a difference. . .

[UMass922]

TD ODU following an INT and a fake punt. Monarchs looking very good.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Another good drive by ODU, 14-7 ODU.

[UMass922]

NSU killing itself with penalties again.

[UMass922]

Another INT by ODU. NSU can't afford to make many more mistakes the way this game is going.

[UMass922]

Wow, fantastic one-handed catch by Gill for another ODU TD--Heinicke had all the time in the world to find him, too. 21-7 ODU.

[inpsite1919]

Getting Ugly quick

[UMass922]

Two nice keeper plays in a row for NSU. I've liked their play-calling in this game, but the penalties and INTs have really been killers.

[UMass922]

ODU misses a field goal at the end of a drive aided by more NSU penalties. Still 21-7 ODU about halfway through the second quarter.

[WileECoyote06]

Rains it pours.

[inpsite1919]

Poor Defense (Secondary), Penalties ( Does ODU even have 1) , and turnovers have Norfolk trailing at the half. They still must be happy, because it could be worse.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Penalties ( Does ODU even have 1)

Interesting.

NSU 12/80, ODU 0/0. Home cooking, indeed.

[inpsite1919]

1st Penalty gives NSU first down. Mental lapse by ODU

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Interesting.

NSU 12/80, ODU 0/0. Home cooking, indeed.

Wrong!! Most were self inflicted penalties on NSU -- illegal substitutions, procedure, obvious PI, etc. Don't forget, neutral refs in the playoffs! Lots of poor execution from NSU, just like the early snap that just resulted in a big loss. Then there was the blocked FG.

[inpsite1919]

Lol Penalties

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

28-7 ODU

[inpsite1919]

Wrong!! Most were self inflicted penalties on NSU -- illegal substitutions, procedure, obvious PI, etc. Don't forget, neutral refs in the playoffs! Lots of poor execution from NSU, just like the early snap that just resulted in a big loss. Then there was the blocked FG.
I agree

[inpsite1919]

Why would you throw it short on first down

[inpsite1919]

Spartans need to jog back to their Stadium 35-7

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

ODU 35-7.

[inpsite1919]

Norfolk had a bad case of nerves

[Big Dawg]

Yeah...NSU's offense got rattled by the crowd

[eaglewraith]

Yeah...NSU's offense got rattled by the crowd

I think it's more of they got rattled by the grass on the field.

[GATA]

I think that Norfolk State got rattled by playing a quality opponent. NSU was clearly the inferior team.

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

...and now we see why the game selected for TV was not ODU/Norfolk St.

Outside of a good game against App St. by SCSt a couple years ago, MEAC has not done very well.

Congrats on a great season Norfolk St. Although JMU fans are happy for the CAA, we really would have enjoyed seeing you beat ODU as well. Oh well, GSU gets the honor!

[inpsite1919]

Norfolk played like a deer caught in front of head lights. The talent was there put terrible execution. My big question is how did all of the schools from NC down to GA especially GA let that Qb get away. That's what we need at SCSU a Qb that can manage games mentality and with his arms. This year we had no passing game and tried to install a option offense that didn't fair to well. The MEAC has to step up as a whole

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Norfolk played like a deer caught in front of head lights. The talent was there put terrible execution. My big question is how did all of the schools from NC down to GA especially GA let that Qb get away. That's what we need at SCSU a Qb that can manage games mentality and with his arms. This year we had no passing game and tried to install a option offense that didn't fair to well. The MEAC has to step up as a whole

Norfolk's secondary made Heinicke look like Phil Simms out there, that's where this game was lost. Surprising that this senior-laden team came out so unfocused.

[HIU 93]

Congrats ODU. You made a believer out of me. Now go out and whip Georgia Southern next week.

[eaglewraith]

Norfolk got ZERO pressure up front. The ODU OL was handling the "rush" one one one and leaving extra guys open to block.

Good luck against Brent Russell.