NORFOLK — Following Norfolk State’s season-opening loss to Towson two weeks ago, Spartans coach Michael Vick told the media that there wasn’t a quarterback controversy between starter Israel Carter and backup Otto Kuhns, even though Kuhns appeared to play better.
Vick started Carter on Saturday against in-state rival Virginia State.
But once again the offense sputtered and Vick went to the bullpen and brought Kuhns.
The senior didn’t disappoint as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns — all in the fourth quarter — to help lead Norfolk State to a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Virginia State in overtime, and give Vick his first win a head coach.
The Spartans trailed 16-7 at the half, but their lone score came on a blocked punt and Jason Wonodi recovered the ball in the end zone. For the half, the Spartans had just 148 total yards with eight first downs. Carter was 9 of 13 for 63 yards.
The third quarter would be more of the same as the offense seemed lifeless as Virginia State led 23-10.
The crowd of 22,296 had few reasons to get on its feet.
Norfolk State gets first win of Michael Vick era, tops Virginia State in OT
Earlier in the week, Vick said he hoped they could get more crowd participation and make it a “hostile environment.” He also added that, “We got to give them a reason to cheer.”
That all changed in the fourth quarter when Vick replaced Carter with Kuhns.
But before the change, asked the veteran his thoughts about coming in for relief again.
“I don’t want to put you in an unfortunate, vulnerable position like I did last week. What do you want to do?” Vick said to Kuhns. “He looked me in my eyes and said, ‘Whatever you want to do, Coach, I’m down.’”
Kuhns immediately brought life to the offense.
He engineered a 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 43-yard strike to Kam’Ryn Thomas, before throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to JJ Evans to cut the deficit to 23-17.
On the next drive, Kuhns connected with DreSean Kendrick for an 18-yard score, giving Norfolk State a 24-23 lead.
“We needed a spark, we needed some energy,” Vick said about putting Kuhns in. “And when you get into a game where you got to come back and you got to make plays, that usually gets the crowd going. And this guy right here, he gave us the energy we needed. He came in and was poised, efficient, confident, and you could just see that. And it just spills over to his teammates. I’m glad to have him as our quarterback.”
Kuhns said it was satisfying to lead the Spartans to victory. He said could feel the energy in the stadium.
“I was just sitting back waiting for my opportunity to make a difference,” he said. “They called my name in the fourth quarter to come in and finish the game for us. It’s a great feeling.”
There’s a popular saying with athletes and coaches “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”
And Kuhns definitely did that.
And when he got his moment, he took full advantage of it.
“It gives me a lot of confidence, especially seeing the team,” he said. “Energy was low, and when I was going around telling everybody, ‘Let’s go. I’m going in,’ it was kind of like an energy boost. That gave me a lot of confidence, too,”
For the season, Kuhns has completed 32 of 47 passes for 395 yards with two touchdowns. He also has a quarterback rating of 152.72. Carter has competed 13 of 21 passes for 96 yards with a 100.3 quarterback rating.
I’m not the only one pushing for Kuhns to be the starter.
As I walked around campus following the victory, I asked some fans their thoughts on who should be the Spartans’ quarterback going forward, beginning with Saturday’s game at Rutgers.
It was unanimous.
“I think (Kuhns) should be the quarterback,” said James Vann Sr. “He gives the team a better chance to win. And going forward, they’re going to need that. He’s definitely exciting.”
Eric Curry has been in attendance for both games. He said the choice is easy.
“Israel Carter may be the future, but it’s about winning now, and the offense just moves better with Kuhns at the helm,” he said. “The players just seem to respond better with the veteran QB. Israel has the tools to lead, but maybe for the 2026 season.”
One of the things Vick has preached this season is, “The best players are going to play, that’s just the way it’s got to be.”
And following the game, he hinted that Kuhns may indeed be the guy going forward. The Spartans face a tough game on Saturday when they travel to New Jersey to face Big 10 opponent Rutgers.
“We got to make a decision that’s best for the team moving forward,” he said. “We’re looking at a quarterback who just won a game, you know, coming from behind, going in two weeks in a row in adverse situations, and finding ways to win (against Virginia State). I know Otto has put himself in an amazing position to continue to move forward and compete. And we’ll take it one day at a time, but, you know, get used to seeing him.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
