Norfolk State Football 2026: Homecoming Showdown vs Virginia Lynchburg, Schedule, Roster, Coach and Score Updates

Norfolk State football (2-4, 0-1 MEAC) hosts Virginia Lynchburg for its 2026 Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 10, at William 'Dick' Price Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. ET. The Spartans are chasing a bounce-back win after a 28-7 road loss at Robert Morris on Oct. 3, a game in which NSU managed just 212 total yards and turned the ball over three times. Virginia Lynchburg, an NCCAA independent, arrives at 1-4 and has been outscored 168-42 across its last three contests.

What is the Norfolk State football score and result from the Robert Morris loss?

Norfolk State lost 28-7 at Robert Morris on Oct. 3, 2026, dropping to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in MEAC play. The Spartans trailed 14-0 at halftime and never recovered, finishing with 212 total yards (3.1 yards per play) while allowing Robert Morris 386 yards and 24 first downs. Quarterback Jalen Daniels completed 14 of 29 passes for 141 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, per WAVY.com's Oct. 4 report. The defeat snapped a two-game NSU winning streak and marked the program's lowest scoring output of the 2026 season.

When and where is Norfolk State Homecoming 2026?

Norfolk State Homecoming 2026 is Saturday, Oct. 10, at William 'Dick' Price Stadium on the NSU campus in Norfolk, Virginia, with a 2:00 p.m. ET kickoff against Virginia Lynchburg. The game anchors a full homecoming weekend that includes the annual NSU Homecoming Parade on Park Avenue at 9:00 a.m., a tailgate village opening at 11:00 a.m., and a halftime presentation of the 2026 Homecoming Court. According to 13NewsNow, NSU athletics expects a crowd exceeding 25,000, which would rank among the top five attendances in program history.

Norfolk State football 2026 schedule: full game-by-game results and dates

Norfolk State's 2026 schedule features 12 games, including five home dates at Dick Price Stadium and a season-opening FBS payday at East Carolina. The Spartans opened 2-0 for the first time since 2019 before dropping four of their last five. Below is the complete 2026 Norfolk State football schedule with results and upcoming kickoff times.

Who is the Norfolk State football coach in 2026?

Dawson Odums is the Norfolk State head football coach in 2026, his fifth season leading the Spartans. Odums, hired in December 2020 after a successful run at Southern, holds a 22-32 record at NSU through Oct. 3, 2026. His 2026 staff includes offensive coordinator Ryan Meyers and defensive coordinator Chris Wilson, who has overseen a unit allowing 26.8 points per game. Odums' contract runs through the 2027 season, per NSU athletics department records.

Norfolk State football roster 2026: key players and depth chart

Norfolk State's 2026 roster is headlined by quarterback Jalen Daniels, running back Kevon King and linebacker A.J. Richardson. Daniels, a 6-foot-2 junior, has thrown for 1,284 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions through six games. King leads the ground attack with 512 rushing yards and five scores on 4.6 yards per carry. Richardson anchors the defense with 58 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Wide receiver Jacquez Jones paces the receiving corps with 31 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns.

Norfolk State football record 2026: where do the Spartans stand in the MEAC?

Norfolk State is 2-4 overall and 0-1 in MEAC play through Oct. 3, 2026, sitting seventh in the eight-team conference standings. The Spartans rank fifth in the MEAC in scoring offense (22.3 points per game) and sixth in scoring defense (26.8 points allowed). NSU's 2-0 start was its best since 2019, but the four-game slide has put bowl-eligibility math and a MEAC title chase under pressure. According to MEAC statistical releases, NSU must win at least four of its final six games to finish above .500 for the first time since 2021.

How can fans buy Norfolk State football tickets for Homecoming 2026?

Norfolk State football tickets for the Oct. 10 Homecoming game against Virginia Lynchburg are available through the NSU athletics ticket office at nsuspartans.com/tickets and at the Dick Price Stadium box office on game day. General admission prices start at $25 for adults and $15 for youth and seniors, with NSU students admitted free with a valid student ID. Premium chairback seating is sold out as of Oct. 8, according to the athletic department. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. ET, 90 minutes before kickoff.

Virginia Lynchburg scouting report: what should Norfolk State expect?

Virginia Lynchburg enters at 1-4 as an NCCAA independent and has struggled mightily against scholarship competition, allowing 41.2 points per game. The Dragons' lone win came against a club-level opponent on Sept. 13. Offensively, VUL averages 14.6 points and 248 total yards per game, with quarterback transfer Marcus Webb throwing for 812 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions. WTKR's Oct. 8 preview noted that VUL has not beaten an FCS opponent since the program restarted in 2021. This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

What is the prediction for Norfolk State vs Virginia Lynchburg?

Norfolk State is a heavy favorite over Virginia Lynchburg, with FCS analytics models projecting a 31-10 Spartans win and a 94 percent NSU victory probability. The matchup pits an FCS scholarship roster against an NCCAA independent, a gap that historically produces lopsided scores. Expect Odums to lean on King and the run game early, then empty the bench in the second half. A clean, turnover-free performance would give NSU momentum before a critical Oct. 17 MEAC road test at Morgan State.

How does Norfolk State's 2026 season compare to recent years?

Norfolk State's 2-4 start in 2026 is a modest improvement over the 2025 squad that opened 1-5, but it trails the 2021 MEAC championship pace. The table below compares NSU's first six games across the last four seasons.

What do the experts say about Norfolk State's Homecoming matchup?

Local analysts frame the Virginia Lynchburg game as a must-win reset for Norfolk State's season. WAVY.com's Oct. 6 report quoted Odums saying, 'We have to protect the football and play with the urgency this program demands.' 13NewsNow noted that a Homecoming win would steady a locker room that has lost four of five. WTKR's preview emphasized the Spartans' 12-3 record in Homecoming games since 2010, a trend NSU will lean on in front of a projected 25,000-plus crowd.

Frequently asked questions about Norfolk State football 2026

What time does Norfolk State play Virginia Lynchburg?

Kickoff is 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at William 'Dick' Price Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia.

What is Norfolk State's football record in 2026?

Norfolk State is 2-4 overall and 0-1 in MEAC play through Oct. 3, 2026.

Who is Norfolk State's head football coach?

Dawson Odums is in his fifth season as Norfolk State head coach in 2026.

Where can I watch Norfolk State vs Virginia Lynchburg?

The game streams on ESPN+ and is carried on NSU's radio flagship, WNSB 91.1 FM.

How many games does Norfolk State have left in 2026?

Norfolk State has six games remaining after the Virginia Lynchburg contest, including four MEAC matchups.