Four return touchdowns send Norfolk State to a 62–0 homecoming win

Norfolk State’s defense and return units turned Saturday’s homecoming game into a rout before halftime. The Spartans scored 34 second-quarter points and beat Virginia University of Lynchburg 62–0, with four touchdowns coming on interception and punt returns.

The result moved Norfolk State to 4–3 overall and 3–0 at home. It was the Spartans’ second shutout of the season, following their 56–0 opening win over Winston-Salem State.

Coach Michael Vick said afterward that “we started to score points in all three phases.” The scoring summary bore that out: Norfolk State produced rushing and passing touchdowns alongside the four returns, finishing with 471 total yards while holding VUL to 224.

A takeaway supplied the first touchdown opportunity. After Quintin Goins recovered a first-quarter fumble at VUL’s 18, Jalyn Daniels scored on the next snap. Deljay Bailey then found Elyjah Mitchell for a 12-yard touchdown to make it 14–0.

Kam’Ryn Thomas’s 24-yard scoring run opened the second-quarter surge. Nasir Bashir returned an interception 12 yards, Christian James ran a punt back 63 yards and Kaleb Broadbent added a 39-yard interception return. DaJean Golmond’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Daniels with two seconds left sent Norfolk State into halftime ahead 48–0.

James scored again in the third quarter, gathering the ball after Goins blocked a punt and carrying it nine yards for a touchdown. Shamar Vick also scored on a 29-yard run; the Spartans added no fourth-quarter points.

Norfolk State intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles. Broadbent had two interceptions, while Brenden Thompson led the defense with six tackles, including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. VUL gained only 48 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Daniels led an eight-player rushing rotation with 87 yards on nine attempts. The Spartans ran for 299 yards at 8.5 yards per carry. Golmond completed eight of nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown; Bailey threw for 67 yards and a score with one interception.

Norfolk State has a bye before opening MEAC play at South Carolina State on October 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern.