NORFOLK, Va. — Their rivalry goes back to 1963.
On Saturday at 4 p.m. from Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk State University and Hampton University will meet for the 59th time. The Spartans lead the series, 30-27-1, and have captured two of the last three meetings.
Both schools come off getting their first wins of the season last week. The Pirates rallying to beat Virginia Union 33-21 while the Spartans held off Virginia State 28-23.
"All we gotta do is focus on ourselves", Hampton interim head coach Trent Boykin. "We understand who we're playing. You know the team on the other side of the water".
For NSU head coach, Dawson Odums, "We need create our own momentum", he said. "The only way to create momentum in sports is to stack victories and the way you stack victories is more important to me than, because you want to achieve 1-0".
Both squads have quality running games and defenses, but Boykin noted, "At the end of the day, we still have to focus on ourselves".