Norfolk State at Wagner, noon Saturday
On the air: 91.1FM, http://necfrontrow.com/schools/WC
The Spartans: Norfolk State (1-3) is eager to turn the page after a heartbreaking 31-28 home loss to Sacred Heart, where a missed field goal at the buzzer ended hopes of overtime. Despite the defeat, the Spartans put up 550 yards of offense. Quarterback Otto Kuhns threw for a career-high 340 yards and a touchdown, while receivers JJ Evans (112 yards), Kam’Ryn Thomas (113 yards) and DreSean Kendrick (74 yards, 1 TD) each had impactful games. Running backs Kevon King and X’Zavion Evans combined for three scores. But three turnovers, nine penalties and two missed field goals spoiled the effort. Saturday’s the start of a three-game road stretch for NSU
The Seahawks: Wagner (0-4) is still seeking its first win of the season after a rough 49-10 loss at Central Michigan. The Seahawks struggled to generate offense, finishing with just 115 total yards compared to CMU’s 507. Turnovers also hurt, with two giveaways contributing to the lopsided score.
— Trevyn Gray
No. 13 Susquehanna at CNU, 1 p.m. Saturday
On the air: cnusports.com/watch, 99.1FM
The Captains: Having outscored two opponents by a combined 66-14 in the first half and 87-21 overall, Christopher Newport (2-0) is receiving votes below the d3football.com top 25, and a victory here would help the Captains’ at-large case for the NCAA playoffs if they end up 9-1. QB Connor Barry (36 for 46, 569 yards, 9 TDs,0 INTs) and WR Colin Hart (11 catches, 262 yards, 4 TDs) have gotten off to eye-popping starts. The CNU defense, led by Noah Martin’s nine tackles, has been solid but will have its most challenging test so far.
The River Hawks: From Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, the Landmark Conference team (2-1) beat Bridgewater 56-17 and was ranked fourth in Division III until last week’s 40-22 loss to No. 3 Johns Hopkins. The River Hawks are playing their first road game. QB Josh Ehrlich (56 for 85, 613 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT; 45 carries, 280 yards, 1 TD) is their focal point.
— Sonny Dearth
Apprentice at Methodist, 1 p.m. Saturday
Live stats: https://mumonarchs.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
The Builders: After losing their first two games by a combined 54 points, they rolled past South Carolina Central Christian 59-0 in their first New South Athletic Conference game. Can Apprentice (1-2) translate that success against better competition? Kendall Hunt is getting more comfortable, completing 28 of 37 passes for 261 yards this year while being supported by a multipronged rushing attack. T.K. Petty (14 catches, 166 yards) has emerged as the top receiving threat. Apprentice hasn’t played Methodist since 2016, when the Monarchs won 24-20.
The Monarchs: Based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Methodist (0-2) has lost 25-6 at Shenandoah and 42-40 to Guilford. Last week against the Quakers, CJ Ferguson returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, ran for 67 yards on 10 carries and caught two Ty Little passes for 80 yards.
— Sonny Dearth
Hampton at Elon, 2 p.m. Saturday
On the air: FloFootball.com
The Pirates: Hampton (1-3, 0-1 Coastal Athletic Association) enters Saturday looking to shake off a tough 34-7 loss to rival Howard in the Battle of the Real HU. The Pirates struggled to find rhythm offensively, as quarterbacks Isaiah Freeman and Braden Davis combined for only 54 passing yards with an interception. Running back Ja’Quan Snipes missed the game, leaving Hampton to rotate backs for 144 rushing yards, but turnovers in scoring position stalled momentum. A year ago, Hampton defeated Elon 41-21, and a win this time would provide a much-needed lift in conference play.
The Phoenix: Elon (2-2, 0-0) returns home after a 26-16 road loss to East Tennessee State, looking to rebound in conference play. Quarterback Landen Clark showed flashes, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns, but also had an interception and a costly fumble. His favorite targets included Nansemond-Suffolk Academy graduate Isaiah Fuhrmann and Dylan Magazu, who both caught touchdown passes, while Landyn Backey led the team with 91 receiving yards.
— Trevyn Gray
William & Mary at No. 20 Villanova, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
On the air: FloCollege; 92.3FM The Tide.
The Tribe: The blowout loss at Virginia left no mark on the Tribe (2-2, 1-0 CAA), whose latest solid showing against FCS competition was a 34-7 rout of Charleston Southern last week. The Tribe netted 449 yards and held the Buccaneers to just 239. First-year starting quarterback Tyler Hughes, second in the CAA in passing efficiency, was terrific with 296 yards passing and four touchdowns. W&M isn’t hurting itself (only one turnover and 3.75 penalties per game). LB Luke Banbury, a Cornell transfer, continues to shine on defense with 12.5 tackles per game (fourth nationally in FCS).
The Wildcats: Villanova’s record (1-2, 0-1) probably doesn’t reflect its ability as the losses are to current FBS No. 3 Penn State and current FCS No. 16 Monmouth. That also makes it likely the 484 yards allowed per game are because of the quality of opposition. Offensively, the Wildcats can move the ball in the air behind quarterback Pat McQuaide (219.7 yards passing per game) and on the ground with running back David Avit (79 ypg). W&M won the most recent meeting, but the teams have not played since 2021.
— Marty O’Brien
