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Despite spirited offense, NSU suffers 45-26 loss to St. Francis

Fred Jeter | 9/29/2022, 6 p.m.
Yes, there is good news. Norfolk State University football is still undefeated ... in the MEAC, that is.
Jason Wonodi

Yes, there is good news. Norfolk State University football is still undefeated ... in the MEAC, that is.

The Spartans won’t face a conference opponent until an Oct. 8 date in Baltimore with Morgan State.

That said, competing outside the conference has been a dreary experience thus far. NSU fell to 0-4 last week (all non-conference games) with a 45-26 loss to St. Francis, Pa., before 3,835 fans at Dick Price Stadium.

There’s more to come. The non-conference trail leads to Sacred Heart, Conn., this Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Sacred Heart is 2-2 and coming off a 38-31 overtime win over Dartmouth.

NSU enjoyed its best offensive output of the season against St. Francis, rolling up 396 yards total offense, including 254 on the ground.

Jason Wonodi, a freshman from Brockton, Mass., ran just one time but made it count for an 81-yard touchdown. At Brockton High last year, Wonodi amassed more than 2,600 yards passing and running and accounted for 29 TDs. He

also ran a 6.45 time for the 55-meter dash. Jordin Lennon had 80 yards on 10 carries, and quarterback Jaylan Adams passed for 142 yards and two TDs.

Tyler Long led the defense with 12 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.

Of the six MEAC football playing members, only North Carolina Central (4-0) has a winning record to date.

Despite early failures, NSU still has a chance to win the MEAC and represent the conference at the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17 in Atlanta.

South Carolina State won last year’s Celebration Bowl, defeating Jackson State of the SWAC.