NORFOLK — For nearly three quarters, it looked like the same story for Norfolk State under Michael Vick: penalties, turnovers, stalled drives and another loss.
But behind backup quarterback Otto Kuhns, the Spartans flipped the script and rallied to beat Virginia State 34-31 in overtime Saturday at Dick Price Stadium, giving Vick his first win as head coach.
“It took five quarters to win it. But the guys that we have in that locker room, Otto included, being at the forefront as a leader, as a guy that this team looks up to, I’ll take these guys to war anywhere in terms of football battles,” Vick said after the win.
Freshman kicker Evan Helfrich drilled a 29-yard field goal in overtime to seal the comeback after Norfolk State’s defense forced a turnover on downs. The Spartans had entered OT on the heels of an improbable rally, erasing a 23-10 deficit in the final quarter.
Kuhns replaced starter Izzy Carter late in the third quarter and immediately energized the offense. He threw two touchdown passes in the fourth — first a fade to JJ Evans to cut the gap to 23-17, then a 43-yard strike to Kam’Ryn Thomas that set up a dart to DreSean Kendrick for the go-ahead score.
“I felt like we needed a spark,” Vick said. “If you need some energy, I can go to (Kuhns). I just appreciate him hanging in there, being patient, trusting the process, as we always say.”
Virginia State briefly retook the lead after a costly sideline penalty extended a drive. VSU Quarterback Rahsaan Matthews found Marquis Smith for a 28-yard touchdown and added a two-point conversion to make it 31-24.
Norfolk State’s Kam’Ryn Thomas pulls in the catch before stepping out of bounds during Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, night’s game in Norfolk. (Stephen M. Katz / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Spartans refused to fold. Kuhns hit a pair of clutch passes to keep the drive alive before Jaylen Laudermilk broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run that tied it at 31 with 53 seconds left. The Trojans nearly won in regulation, but kicker Joshua Campbell missed a 46-yard field goal off the crossbar after Matthews hit Malik Hunter on a 47-yard pass.
Norfolk State’s rally came despite piling up 16 penalties for 127 yards — the same lack of discipline that doomed the Spartans in their opener against Towson. Vick had stressed the need for cleaner play after nine flags against Towson, only to see his team flagged 10 times in the first half alone.
Still, Saturday marked a breakthrough. The Spartans’ ground game looked sharper with 237 rushing yards, led by Kevon King’s 63 on nine carries. Thomas was the Spartans’ top target, hauling in five catches for 82 yards, including the bomb that flipped momentum in the fourth. Kendrick also added 52 yards and a TD on four catches.
Virginia State controlled much of the first half, capitalizing on NSU miscues — including a fumbled snap returned for a touchdown — to build a 16-7 halftime lead. But when it mattered most, Norfolk State’s defense held and its offense finally cashed in.
Carter managed just one scoring drive before being pulled, leaving Vick with a looming quarterback decision. Kuhns, the experienced graduate, has now led an efficient offense in back-to-back weeks and delivered the program’s first victory of the Vick era.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time,” Kuhns said. “I was just sitting back waiting for my opportunity to make a difference. They called my name in the fourth quarter to come in and finish the game. It’s a great feeling.”
“I was ecstatic about the way we finished tonight,” Vick said. “Hopefully it will be the first of many. But we got to get back to work.”
The Spartans (1-1) travel to face Big Ten opponent Rutgers (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 13.
