Norfolk State falls 22-7 at South Carolina State despite punt return TD

South Carolina State beat Norfolk State 22-7 on Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, S.C. The Spartans dropped to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs improved to 6-2 and 1-0 in conference play.

Bulldogs build an early lead

South Carolina State scored on its first possession, a 13-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown run by Mason Pickett-Hicks with 9:19 left in the first quarter. Jett Jackson added a 28-yard field goal with 3:23 left in the period for a 10-0 lead.

Pickett-Hicks scored again on a 7-yard run with 5:36 left in the second quarter, though the extra point was missed. Jackson kicked a 46-yard field goal with 4:15 left in the half, and the Spartans trailed 19-0 at the break. Pickett-Hicks finished with 52 yards on nine carries and both Bulldogs touchdowns.

Wonodi's return is the lone score

Norfolk State got on the board in the third quarter. Max'Ceon Cobb punted 41 yards, and Jason Wonodi returned it 47 yards for a touchdown with 9:28 left. Marco Peery's kick made it 19-7. Wonodi finished with two punt returns for 56 yards.

The Spartans did not score again. Jackson hit a 34-yard field goal with 7:56 left in the fourth quarter to set the final margin.

Turnovers and late chances

Norfolk State committed three turnovers: two interceptions by Da'Jean Golmond and a lost fumble. South Carolina State had none. Kenneth Brown Jr. returned one interception 51 yards, and Michael Evans had the other.

Golmond completed 17 of 35 passes for 162 yards. The Spartans totaled 279 yards to the Bulldogs' 321 and converted 4 of 15 third downs. They were penalized 10 times for 90 yards.

In the fourth quarter, Norfolk State twice turned the ball over on downs in South Carolina State territory. The first came on fourth-and-18 with 5:25 left, after a drive that included a 24-yard Golmond completion to Brevin Caldwell. The second came on fourth-and-8 with 1:47 left, when Golmond's pass to Wonodi fell incomplete.

Individual leaders

Caldwell led the Spartans with six catches for 80 yards, and Kam'Ryn Thomas had three catches for 53 yards. Jalyn Daniels ran 12 times for 51 yards. Defensively, Rontravious Perry had nine tackles and a sack, and Brendan Thompson added eight tackles.

Keely Watson was 21 of 38 for 215 yards for South Carolina State. DJ Maultsby caught five passes for 57 yards, and Kwantre' Harry led the Bulldogs with six tackles.

Next up

Norfolk State returns home to face Delaware State on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET.