In the aftermath of Norfolk State’s 60 to 10 loss at Rutgers, two familiar names in college football shared a moment that went beyond the scoreboard. Michael Vick, now the head coach at Norfolk State, stood across from Rutgers veteran leader Greg Schiano. The exchange was brief but telling.
“I told him after the game, your team really plays tough. They play a reflection of him, they really do,” Schiano said. “I also said, anything I can do to help him, I’d be glad to do that. I don’t know exactly what that would be, but I meant it.”
Schiano’s respect for Vick stretches back decades. “I was a defensive coordinator at Miami when Mike was playing at Virginia Tech,” he recalled. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and his career.”
Vick, facing his first Power Five opponent as a head coach, focused on what his Spartans could take away from the challenge. “These games are important. It’s an opportunity to grow and compete hard. One game is going to set you up for the next, and every experience matters,” Vick said. “We’ve got to always go into a game thinking we’re going to win.”
On the field, Norfolk State found sparks in the run game. Kevon King rushed seven times for 56 yards, including a 25 yard touchdown. X’Zavion Evans added 52 yards on eight carries, helping the Spartans pile up 128 yards on the ground. Quarterback Otto Kuhns threw for 90 yards and rushed for 15 more, but his interception in the first half stalled momentum.
“Obviously, running the football is something we want to do. We want to always try to get Kevon going,” Vick said. “But you know, every game is not going to be like last week. We gotta learn from this one.”
The passing game showed flashes as DreSean Kendrick led the receivers with three catches for 48 yards, including a 32 yard strike. Still, missed opportunities and early penalties left Vick frustrated. “Yeah, I think just moving the football, we had some good play calls. But starting in a 14 point deficit against a team like that, it kind of took us out of our game plan. We had momentum at times, then penalties set us back in those third and 30 type situations.”
On the other sideline, Schiano reflected on the long road of leadership. “When you become a head coach, there are so many things you don’t know. You don’t even know you don’t know. And then suddenly, it all hits you. Over time, when you’ve done it for years, it becomes second nature,” Schiano explained. “That’s why it’s so important to have good people around you. I know Mike’s got some really good mentors who are helping him, and that’s critical.”
