Losses pile up for NSU
In five setbacks, Spartans outscored by 42-11 average
Fred Jeter | 10/6/2022, 6 p.m.
Norfolk State University’s two-season losing streak has now hit eight games.
After finishing the 2021 season with three consecutive defeats, the Spartans fell to 0-5 this season following a 31-14 loss on Oct. 1 at Sacred Heart, Conn.
It’s been brutal thus far for Coach Dawson Odums’ Green ‘n’ Gold.
In the five setbacks, NSU has been outscored by an average of 42-11. Opponents have 28 touchdowns to the Spartans’ eight, and 2,265 total yards to Norfolk’s 1,323.
Next up is the MEAC opener Oct. 8 in Baltimore against Morgan State. Comparative scores don’t favor NSU.
On Sept. 17, Morgan de- feated the same Sacred Heart team that blitzed NSU by 24-9 in Baltimore.
It may not help the visitors that Morgan will be celebrat- ing homecoming. Morgan is the alma mater of Richmonder Willie Lanier, a member of the College and NFL Halls of Fame.
NSU’s top player so far might be Tyler Long, a 5-foot-11, 222-pound linebacker from Cincinnati.
Long had 13 tackles vs. Sacred Heart and leads team for season with 29, with two sacks and an interception.
The Ohioan was second-team All-MEAC a year ago while finishing fourth in MEAC tackling statistics.
His brother, David Long, starred at West Virginia and now plays for the NFL Tennessee Titans.
