Virginia State University hopes to start its 2018 football season the same way it opened the 2017 season — by defeating Norfolk State University in the Labor Day Classic.

VSU begins its third season under Coach Reggie Barlow on Saturday, Sept. 1, against NSU in the annual Labor Day Classic at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

The Trojans defeated the Spartans 14-10 last season and never looked back. From there, VSU went on to win the CIAA championship, post a 10-1 overall record, a 7-0 conference mark and gain an NCAA Division II playoff bid.

VSU fans will have to wait nearly a month after the season opener to see the Men of Troy play on home turf at Rogers Stadium on the Ettrick campus. The Trojans first four games — against NSU, Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh, St. Augustine’s University and Johnson C. Smith University — are all away.

The home opener will be Sept. 29 against Shaw University. Homecoming is set for Oct. 20 against Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

Norfolk State of MEAC and Robert Morris of the Northeast Conference compete in the Football Championship Subdivision, one peg above the NCAA Division II.