Former NFL Star Michael Vick Gets 1st Win as Norfolk State HC, Excites CFB Fans

An overtime win on Saturday earned Michael Vick his first official victory as head coach of Norfolk State.

The Spartans completed a dominant second-half comeback against Virginia State, capping it with a thrilling overtime finish to secure a 34-31 win — Vick's first at the helm.

Otto Kuhns took over under center for Norfolk State on Saturday, completing 13-of-20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans' 34-31 overtime win.

Israel Carter started the game, going 10-of-16 for 80 yards but was replaced after losing two fumbles.

DreSean Kendrick and J.J. Evans each caught a touchdown pass, while Jaylen Laudermilk added a rushing score, finishing with 59 yards on just three carries.

Fans responded to Vick's Norfolk State team grabbing its first win of the season as Kuhns impressed fans at center. 

In head coach Vick and Norfolk State's season opener, the Spartans fell 27-7 to Towson. Kuhns completed 19-of-27 passes for 219 yards, but he could not connect in the endzone as Laudermilk ran in their only touchdown. 

On Saturday, Norfolk State got off to a hot start, scoring off a blocked punt just under five minutes into the game to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. However, the blocked punt would be the Spartans' only score of the first half, as the offense struggled to generate much momentum.

Coming out of halftime, a 36-yard field goal gave the Spartans their first points since midway through the first quarter, cutting the deficit to six. Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Kuhns connected with Evans on a six-yard touchdown pass, but Norfolk State still trailed 23-17 with an entire quarter remaining.

With just under nine minutes remaining, Norfolk State found a spark as Kuhns connected with Kendrick on an 18-yard touchdown pass to take its first lead of the game, 24-23.

Virginia State responded late in the fourth quarter with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to force the Spartans' hand and take a seven-point lead with just over two minutes remaining.

The Spartans responded with a charge down the field and a score of their own thanks to runningback Laudermilk who has scored in back-to-back games, and tied it up at 31 with just under one minute in regulation.

In overtime, freshman kicker Evan Helfrich drilled the game-winning field goal, lifting Norfolk State to a three-point victory and sending the home crowd into celebration.

Norfolk State will travel to face Rutgers next Saturday hot off its first win of the season.