The Virginia State University Trojans’ hopes of avenging last year’s loss to Norfolk State University fell short, as the Spartans held on for a 28-23 thriller on their home turf.

After VSU was forced to punt on the opening drive, the Spartans wasted no time striking first. Norfolk State’s offense exploded for a 60-yard TD pass to cap an 80-yard, five-play touchdown march.

But the Trojans quickly answered, marching the length of the field in 12 plays. Quarterback Romelo Williams found Kevin Gayles for a 22-yard score to knot things up at 7-7 by the end of the opening quarter.

Early in the second, VSU took the lead when running back Jimmyll Williams punched it in from 2 yards out, capping an eight-play, 60-yard drive to make it 14-7 Trojans. However,

the Spartans responded with a 14-yard rushing TD of their own to tie it back up at 14-14.

With time winding down in the half, Norfolk State struck again through the air, finding the end zone on a 21-yard passing score to take a 21-14 lead into the break.

The defenses tightened in the third quarter, with the Spartans forcing a turnover but the Trojans answering with an interception. VSU kicker Joshua Campbell connected on a field goal to pull his team within four at 21-17 heading to the fourth.

Early in the final frame, Norfolk State put the game out of reach, breaking off a 64-yard touchdown run to go up 28-17. VSU kept fighting, with Williams scoring on a 6-yard run to make it 28-23, but the Spartans were able to run out the clock for the victory.

Jimmyll Williams finished with 21 rushes for 60 yards and a TD for the Trojans. Receiver Malik Hunter hauled in five catches for 72 yards in the loss. Defensively, Donovan Howard recorded eight tackles and an interception for VSU.

The defeat drops the Trojans to 1-1 on the season, while Norfolk State evens its record at 1-2. VSU will look to rebound in two weeks when they host Winston-Salem State.