The second season of the Michael Vick era at Norfolk State is pivotal, and the 2026 football schedule will be a test for the program.
The Spartans announced a 12-game slate featuring six home contests and a matchup on Halloween.
The 2026 lineup includes five MEAC games and seven non-conference matchups, giving fans several marquee showdowns both in Norfolk and on the road.
Regular season features familiar opponents
Norfolk State kicks off the season on Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Spartans host Winston-Salem State. The matchup will serve as a reunion of sorts, pitting Vick against former NSU assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Tory Woodbury — now leading the Rams. The meeting marks the 23rd all-time between the programs and the first since 2009.
From there, the Spartans travel for consecutive road games against in-state competition. NSU visits Old Dominion on Sept. 5, marking just the fifth meeting between the two schools since ODU reinstated football in 2009.
A week later, Vick’s team heads to Charlottesville to take on the University of Virginia in the first-ever matchup between the two programs.
Rivalry games, road trips & homecoming
The excitement ramps up on Sept. 19 when Norfolk State hosts Hampton in the 67th edition of the “Battle of the Bay,” one of the most celebrated rivalries in HBCU football. The annual showdown between the two Tidewater programs continues to draw strong fan turnout and regional attention.
After the rivalry matchup, Norfolk State embarks on another two-game road swing, beginning Sept. 26 at Chicago State followed by an Oct. 3 trip to Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa.
The Spartans will close the non-conference portion of their schedule on Oct. 10 with Homecoming against Virginia University of Lynchburg. NSU drew a record crowd of more than 47,000 fans for last year’s Homecoming at Dick Price Stadium when South Carolina State came to town.
Following a bye week, the Spartans open MEAC play Oct. 24 at South Carolina State, the defending conference champion. Norfolk State then returns home for a pair of crucial league contests — hosting Delaware State on Halloween under second-year head coach DeSean Jackson and N.C. Central on Nov. 7.
The Spartans wrap up their regular-season road schedule Nov. 14 at Morgan State in Baltimore before closing out the campaign at home on Nov. 21 against Howard for Senior Day.
