College football previews: NSU hosts Towson, CNU and Apprentice School also play at home

Norfolk State (2-5) vs Towson (2-3), 2 p.m.

On the air: ESPN+, Hot 91.1 FM (WNSB)

About the Spartans: Head coach Dawson Odums said earlier this week he felt Norfolk State is better than its 2-5 record. The Spartans will look to prove just that when they take on a talented Towson team in their first home game at Dick Price Stadium in over a month. Norfolk State may have to play without starting quarterback Jalen Daniels, who exited last week’s 10-3 loss to Sacred Heart early with a head injury. Odums said on Monday that Daniels was in “protocol” and his status for Saturday was up in the air. Norfolk State has failed to score more than 10 points in the last two games and losing Daniels certainly won’t make things easier. The Spartans’ defense played much better against Sacred Heart after giving up 37 points to NC Central the week prior. Norfolk State will need another great performance from its defensive unit if the Spartans want a shot at making it two straight wins over Towson.

About the Tigers: Speaking of teams that are better than their record, the argument can certainly be made for the 2-3 Tigers. Towson is coming off a victory over nationally-ranked William & Mary last week and its three losses are to Cincinnati (FBS), then No. 2 North Dakota State and a one-point loss to No. 5 Villanova. Towson has the No. 5 offense in the CAA, thanks to an average of 386.6 yards per game. The Tigers have had two different quarterbacks play this season, but redshirt senior Sean Brown was the one to lead Towson to a win over W&M. He’s totaled 444 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air this year. Towson has a one-two punch in the run game thanks to Devin Matthews and Tyrell Greene Jr., who have totaled 400 and 348 rushing yards this year, respectively. Linebacker Will Middleton leads a defense that ranks No. 5 in the CAA for turnovers forced.

-Michael Sauls

Dickinson (2-2) at Christopher Newport (2-2), 1 p.m.

On the air: Xtra 99.1 FM and CNUsports.com .

About the Red Devils: Dickinson, from Carlisle, Pa. and the Centennial Conference, has a pair of victories over CNU’s New Jersey Athletic Conference compatriots William Paterson (24-0) and Kean (21-14). The Red Devils are not a rushing juggernaut (78.8 ypg), but QB Presley Egbers has been good through the air with more than 250 yards passing per contest and eight TD passes. Dickinson’s defense has been solid, allowing 22 points and 315 yards per game.

About the Captains: CNU will look to avenge a 27-24 overtime loss to Dickinson in Carlisle last year. More than that, the Captains will attempt to rebound from the 42-38 loss last week at No. 9 Salisbury, a terrific see-saw game decided by a late touchdown for the Sea Gulls. That loss could ultimately prevent the Captains from defending their NJAC title, but was a showpiece for sophomore quarterback Connor Barry. He completed 34 passes for 443 yards yards — both second in CNU history — to go with four touchdown throws.

— Marty O’Brien

Maine Maritime Academy (0-2) at Apprentice (2-3)

When: 1 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Apprentice Athletic Center in Newport News

On the air: youtube.com/@GoBuilderSports

The Mariners: They’re in their first varsity season since 2019, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing so far. Maine Maritime, located on Penobscot Bay in the eastern Maine town of Castine, lost 62-6 at home to Hartwick — despite six takeaways, including five interceptions — and 63-12 at Nichols in Massachusetts, though Dylan Abbott threw for 267 yards on 20-of-35 accuracy. Because of a postponement, they haven’t played a game since Sept. 14.

The Builders: Five interceptions crushed them last week as they lost 21-7 to Alfred State in New York, but they hope to get back to .500 on Hall of Fame Day. Backup quarterback Eduardo Rios, a freshman from Warwick High, threw a pass for Apprentice’s only TD but was picked off twice. T.K. Petty, who had eight catches for 150 yards, generally is the first option, but the Builders need to get more from their running game after gaining just 44 yards last week.

— Sonny Dearth