Inside the MEAC · preview

Delaware State and Norfolk State are both 4-4 going back to Lincoln Financial Field

DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick played together for the Philadelphia Eagles. Last October they coached against each other for the first time in the Eagles' stadium, and 47,266 people came to watch. Delaware State won 27-20, with a blocked punt recovered in the end zone and a 76-yard James Jones touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Kaiden Bennett and Otto Kuhns, the two quarterbacks that night, have not played for either team this season.

On Saturday they do it again at Lincoln Financial Field. Norfolk State is the designated home team this time. Kickoff is 3pm on ESPN+, and it is part of One Philly HBCU Week.

Both teams are 4-4. Both lost their MEAC openers last weekend.

Why the record matters

South Carolina State beat Morgan State 51-10 on Thursday night and is 2-0 in the MEAC. It has not lost a conference game since Chennis Berry became coach in 2024.

Delaware State and Norfolk State are both 0-1. The MEAC plays a five-game conference schedule, so whoever loses on Saturday will be 0-2 with three games left.

Delaware State

Delaware State lost 31-12 to North Carolina Central in Dover last Friday, its first home loss of the season. The Eagles ran for 272 yards and held the ball for 37:18.

The Hornets have alternated wins and losses in all eight games this season. They are 4-1 at Alumni Stadium and 0-3 away from it, and they have scored 35 points in those three road games: 22-15 at William & Mary, 59-17 at South Florida and 28-3 at UAlbany.

The quarterback question is still open. Ui Ale played in each of the first six games and did not play against Franklin Pierce. Jayden Sauray started against North Carolina Central and threw two interceptions in the first half. Ale played the second half and went 9 of 10. Delaware State has not said who will start on Saturday.

Norfolk State

Norfolk State lost 22-7 at South Carolina State. Its only touchdown was a Jason Wonodi punt return, his third of the season, and the MEAC named him its specialist of the week on Monday. The offense reached South Carolina State territory six times and did not score.

Da'Jean Golmond threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Before that game he had thrown six touchdowns and one interception in the three games since he took over, and Norfolk State had scored at least 31 points in four straight.

Norfolk State is 3-0 at Dick Price Stadium this season and 1-4 away from it.

What decides it

The ball. Norfolk State has turned it over 14 times this season and forced 16 turnovers. Delaware State has turned it over 13 times and forced 12. Delaware State has given the ball away at least once in every game since the opener.

Whether Norfolk State can finish. Six trips into South Carolina State territory produced no points. Delaware State gave up 272 rushing yards to North Carolina Central last week.

Who plays quarterback for Delaware State. The Hornets have used three quarterbacks in their last two games.

So what happens Saturday

Both teams are 4-4 and 0-1, and both are coming off losses. Delaware State is 0-3 away from Dover. Norfolk State's one win away from Norfolk was at Chicago State.

Norfolk State knows who its quarterback is. Delaware State has not said.

We think Norfolk State wins.

We will be at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, in the stands.