The Michael Vick era at Norfolk State will begin on a national stage with a primetime matchup and a bolstered roster.

The Spartans’ season opener against Towson is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at William “Dick” Price Stadium, the university announced Thursday. The game will be televised nationally on one of the ESPN family of networks, with the specific channel to be announced later.

It will mark the first night game at Price Stadium since Sept. 18, 2021, and the first midweek home game for Norfolk State in more than a decade.

As the team prepares to open its 2025 campaign, Norfolk State also announced the addition of three transfers to its roster: wide receiver JJ Evans (North Alabama), defensive tackle Cameron Darmody ( Wagner), and defensive lineman Rashawn Washington (South Carolina State).

Evans, once a four-star recruit out of Alabama, ranked among the top 10 players in the state and originally signed with Auburn. He transferred to North Alabama, where he caught 17 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Darmody played the last two years at Wagner, appearing in 13 games over two seasons after transferring from Feather River College. Washington, a Hampton Roads native, brings MEAC championship experience from South Carolina State, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a conference title and Celebration Bowl appearance.

The opener will mark the fourth all-time meeting between Norfolk State and Towson, and the third in as many seasons. The Spartans won a rain-soaked road game 21-14 in 2023, while Towson edged them 28-23 in Norfolk last season.

Tickets for the Aug. 28 season opener go on sale July 14.