image via Norfolk State Football/IG
Norfolk State used a dominant rushing attack and a 29-point run spanning the first half to pull away from Chicago State, earning a 43-20 road victory Saturday night at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.
The Spartans improved to 3-2 on the season, while Chicago State fell to 1-4.
Norfolk State finished with 623 total yards, including 358 rushing yards, while averaging 7.9 yards per offensive play. The Spartans also converted 8 of 16 third downs and held the ball for 33:14.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Chicago State wasted little time taking advantage of a Norfolk State mistake.
After Norfolk State’s opening kickoff return was muffed, Ashton Pannell connected with Kymari Gray on a 30-yard touchdown pass just 10 seconds into the game, giving the Cougars a 7-0 lead.
Norfolk State answered with a methodical 16-play, 93-yard touchdown drive that ended with DaJean Golmond scoring on a 10-yard run with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
The Spartans then took the lead with six seconds remaining in the opening quarter when Golmond found Rocco Ciocca for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Ciocca added the successful two-point conversion, giving Norfolk State a 15-7 advantage.
Norfolk State continued to pour it on in the second quarter.
Golmond connected with Brevin Caldwell for a 55-yard touchdown at the 12:26 mark, followed just over two minutes later by Jason Wonodi’s 76-yard touchdown run.
The back-to-back explosive plays pushed the Spartans ahead 29-7.
Chicago State responded with an Ashton Pannell 7-yard touchdown run with 8:32 left in the half, but Norfolk State carried a 29-13 lead into halftime.
Chicago State cut into the deficit again in the third quarter when Adrian Bowers returned a blocked Norfolk State punt 50 yards for a touchdown, making it 29-20.
Norfolk State answered with a 90-yard touchdown drive, capped by Jalyn Daniels’ 1-yard touchdown run with 4:58 remaining in the quarter.
Then Daniels delivered the knockout blow.
With 10:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, Daniels broke loose for a 95-yard touchdown run, giving Norfolk State a 43-20 lead.
Chicago State would not score again.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: JALYN DANIELS
Daniels was one of the biggest difference-makers of the night.
- 16 carries
- 136 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- 95-yard touchdown run
- 8.5 yards per carry
His 95-yard touchdown was the longest play from scrimmage in the game and pushed Norfolk State’s lead to 23 points in the fourth quarter.
NORFOLK STATE’S OFFENSE
Quarterback DaJean Golmond produced 356 yards of total offense.
Passing:
- 21-of-31
- 265 yards
- 2 TD
- 1 INT
Rushing:
- 10 carries
- 91 yards
- 1 TD
Golmond also connected with Caldwell on the 55-yard touchdown and Ciocca on the 22-yard score.
Jason Wonodi provided another explosive moment with his 76-yard touchdown run on his only rushing attempt.
Receiving Leaders
| Player | Rec. | Yards | TD | Long |
| Elyjah Mitchell | 6 | 87 | 0 | 23 |
| Brevin Caldwell | 4 | 76 | 1 | 55 |
| Rocco Ciocca | 3 | 68 | 1 | 24 |
| Jamauri Knox | 3 | 18 | 0 | 12 |
TEAM STATISTICS
| Category | Norfolk State | Chicago State |
| Final Score | 43 | 20 |
| First Downs | 24 | 15 |
| Total Yards | 623 | 284 |
| Rushing Yards | 358 | 53 |
| Passing Yards | 265 | 231 |
| Offensive Plays | 79 | 64 |
| Yards/Play | 7.9 | 4.4 |
| Third Down | 8/16 | 3/14 |
| Time of Possession | 33:14 | 23:48 |
SCORING PLAYS
1Q
- 14:50 — Chicago State: Kymari Gray 30-yard TD reception from Ashton Pannell
- 4:26 — Norfolk State: DaJean Golmond 10-yard TD run
- 0:06 — Norfolk State: Rocco Ciocca 22-yard TD reception from Golmond; two-point conversion successful
Norfolk State 15, Chicago State 7
2Q
- 12:26 — Norfolk State: Brevin Caldwell 55-yard TD reception
- 10:15 — Norfolk State: Jason Wonodi 76-yard TD run
- 8:32 — Chicago State: Ashton Pannell 7-yard TD run
Norfolk State 29, Chicago State 13
3Q
- 10:34 — Chicago State: Adrian Bowers 50-yard punt-return TD
- 4:58 — Norfolk State: Jalyn Daniels 1-yard TD run
Norfolk State 36, Chicago State 20
4Q
- 10:28 — Norfolk State: Jalyn Daniels 95-yard TD run
FINAL: Norfolk State 43, Chicago State 20
WHAT WE KNOW
- Norfolk State improves to 3-2.
- Chicago State falls to 1-4.
- Norfolk State piled up 623 total yards.
- The Spartans rushed for 358 yards and four touchdowns.
- Jalyn Daniels accounted for 136 rushing yards and two TDs.
- DaJean Golmond accounted for 356 total yards and three touchdowns.
- Jason Wonodi scored on a 76-yard run.
- Norfolk State scored 29 consecutive points after Chicago State’s opening touchdown.
- Chicago State’s 50-yard punt-return touchdown briefly cut the deficit to nine points in the third quarter.
- Norfolk State answered with the next two touchdowns to put the game away.
🏁 THE BOTTOM LINE
Norfolk State survived an early punch from Chicago State, then took control behind an explosive offense.
The Spartans finished with 358 rushing yards and 623 total yards, while Daniels’ 95-yard touchdown run provided the exclamation point in the fourth quarter.
Norfolk State 43. Chicago State 20.
The Spartans leave Illinois with their third victory of the 2026 season. Up next for Norfolk State is a meeting with Robert Morris on October 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 2pm est and will air on ESPN +.
