Daryl Jones’ career high 38 rushing attempts and 256 yards, and Don Carey’s two clutch second-half interceptions clinched Norfolk State’s first winning season in Division I with a 33-27 win over Florida A&M at Bragg Memorial Stadium Thursday night.
Jones scored his 10th touchdown of the year as the Spartans defeated the Rattlers for the first time ever in 10 tries. The Spartans’ last winning record was a 7-4 mark in 1996, their last year in Division II.
Carey picked off his first two passes of the season, one to set up a go-ahead score in the third quarter and one of FAMU’s last-gasp drives in the final minute.
After a season-long 48-yard rush by Jones, NSU took a 33-20 lead on a 15-yard touchdown run by Timothy Ferrell with 9:58 remaining. But FAMU blocked the extra point, keeping the lead to 13 points.
FAMU cut its deficit to 33-27 on a 16-yard TD pass from Leon Camel to Willie Hayward with 6:13 remaining and the ensuing extra point by Wesley Taylor.
The Spartans drove to the Rattlers’ 15 in the final two minutes. But Justin Castellat missed a 32-yard field goal to keep the lead at one score, giving the Rattlers some hope.
But Carey stepped in front of Hayward on a sideline pattern and made a diving interception with less than a minute left to secure the win.
The game was marred by 21 penalties and seven turnovers, but as they have all season, the Spartans came up with big plays at the key times.
Both defenses intercepted passes on the game’s first two drives. Dustin Johnson picked off a Camel pass for his first pick of the season on the game’s first drive. But FAMU’s Curtis Holcomb intercepted NSU quarterback Casey Hansen on the next possession to set up the Rattlers at the NSU 38. Four plays later, Phillip Sylvester scored on an 8-yard run to give FAMU a 7-0 lead with 11:31 left in the first quarter.
NSU needed less than three minutes to tie the game. Rashad Howard returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the FAMU 38. Five plays later, Hansen found Jamar Johnson for a 6-yard TD pass with 8:49 left in the quarter, and Castellat’s extra point tied the game with 8:48 remaining in the opening quarter.
Castellat gave NSU a 10-7 lead with a 22-yard field goal with 7:22 left in the second quarter, capping a 15-play, 63-yard drive. After holding FAMU three-and-out on its next possession, the Spartans marched five yards in 76 plays to take a 17-7 lead. Jones fumbled after getting a first down at the FAMU 3, but Spartan fullback Brandon Sawyer recovered in the end zone for the TD with 3:49 left before the half. The big play on the drive was a 45-yard completion form Hansen to Jeremy Wicker.
With NSU poised to add to its lead, FAMU regained some momentum right before the half. Jason Beach picked off a Hansen pass and returned it 40 yards for the score with 2:02 left in the first half. Taylor missed the PAT, keeping NSU’s lead at 17-13.
FAMU wasted no time claiming its first lead of the second half. After the Rattlers held NSU on the first possession of the third quarter, FAMU’s Gregory Clark returned a Brian Jackson punt 68 yards to the Spartans’ 11. Three plays later, Sylvester scored on a 10-yard run for a 20-17 Rattlers’ lead.
FAMU regained the lead when Carey intercepted a pass by Camel and returned it 61 yards to the FAMU 9. On the next play, Jones scored on a 9-yard run, and Castellat’s PAT put NSU ahead 24-20.
Castellat increased NSU’s lead to seven, 27-20, with a 31-yard field goal with 12:11 left in the fourth quarter, capping a 67-yard drive.
Ferrell’s second TD of the season capped a 68-play drive. He finished the game with 44 yards rushing on eight carries as NSU rushed for a season-high 272 yards.
NSU out-gained the Rattlers 405-225. Camel and Rattler backup quarterback Eddie Battle were harassed into 9-of-28 passing for just 82 yards and four interceptions.
The Spartans have nine days off until their next game. NSU hosts Howard for its homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.