image via Norfolk State Football
Courtesy of Alex Lehmbeck, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Communication
The first season of the Michael Vick era at Norfolk State will feature five home games, headlined by a homecoming matchup against defending MEAC champion South Carolina State on Oct. 25.
The Spartans released their 2025 football schedule on Tuesday afternoon, a 12-game slate of five conference battles and seven non-conference showdowns.
Norfolk State will open the 2025 campaign in a primetime slot, facing Towson on Thursday, Aug. 28 at William “Dick” Price Stadium. The meeting will mark the third consecutive season NSU and Towson have squared off, with the Spartans coming out victorious in 2023 and the Tigers returning the favor in 2024.
Norfolk State remains at home for the “Battle of the States” on Saturday, Sep. 6, going head-to-head with longtime rival Virginia State. The Spartans and Trojans have provided countless intense duels over the years, including a 28-23 Norfolk State triumph last season.
The Spartans’ first road test comes against an FBS opponent, matchup up against Rutgers on Sep. 13. Norfolk State returns home to face Sacred Heart on Sep. 20, before heading north to battle Wagner on Sep. 27.
The 66th edition of the “Battle of the Bay” between Norfolk State and Hampton will take place on Oct. 4 in the latter’s home venue. The Spartans have fared well on the road against the Pirates, winning their last four matchups at Armstrong Stadium.
Norfolk State closes the nonconference stretch of its schedule at Wofford on Oct. 11.
The Spartans open MEAC play in entertaining fashion, welcoming defending MEAC champion South Carolina State to town for Homecoming at Dick Price Stadium on Oct. 25. NSU pulled out a thrilling 21-20 homecoming victory against Howard last year in front of nearly 32,000 fans.
In one of the most highly anticipated meetings of 2025, Norfolk State will face Delaware State on the road on Nov. 1. The showdown will pit former NFL teammates and current first-year head coaches Vick and Desean Jackson against one another in a must-watch event.
The Spartans head to Durham N.C. on Nov. 8 to meet North Carolina Central, looking for their first win at O’Kelly Riddick Stadium since 2019. Norfolk State will host Morgan State for Senior Day on Nov. 15, closing the regular season at Howard on Nov. 22.
