Norfolk State (1-3) at VMI (0-3)

When: 1:30 p.m.

On air: 91.1FM

The Spartans: Norfolk State has shown it’s a capable team, but consistency has hampered them so far in 2024. The perfect example is last week’s 37-7 loss to Hampton. Head coach Dawson Odums said this week he felt they let down the loyal NSU fans and had plenty of motivation to get back to winning ways. Norfolk State’s run defense and run offense were dominant in the first three games, but neither came close to impressing against HU. Norfolk State will get All-MEAC quarterback Otto Kuhns back from his NCAA suspension on Saturday, but Odums stressed that Jalen Daniels (469 yards, three TDs) will remain the starter.

The Keydets: VMI has had a rough start to its second year under head coach Danny Rocco after crushing losses to William & Mary, Georgia Tech and a struggle against Bucknell. VMI had four different quarterbacks against the Yellow Jackets last week, with Chandler Wilson starting after Collin Shannon suffered an injury against Bucknell. Running back Hunter Rice ranks second in the Southern Conference with 257 yards and three touchdowns.

— Michael Sauls

Hampton (2-1) vs. Howard (2-1) at Audi Field in Washington, DC

When: 4 p.m.

On air: Monumental Sports Network, 88.1FM

The Pirates: Hampton dominated last week’s big rivalry win over Norfolk State. The Pirates ran the ball with ease against the Spartans and had no trouble stopping the ball on defense. Quarterback Chris Zellous is coming off the most precise game of his career, but Boykin said he and Malcolm Mays will continue to share quarterback duties. Hampton enters Saturday’s game with a seven-game winning streak against Howard and has won 21 of the last 25 meetings, including a 14-game winning streak from 1997 to 2010.

The Bison: With the exception of a loss to Rutgers (FBS), the defending MEAC champions have played excellently and lead the MEAC in offense and defense. Ja’Shawn Scroggins quarterbacked the Bison in the first two games and totaled 273 passing yards and 189 rushing yards, while Jaylon Tolbert was the only quarterback to play against Morehouse and he was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 267 yards and four touchdowns.

— Michael Sauls

Furman (1-2) at No. 13 William & Mary (2-1)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

On air: FloFootball.com; 92.3FM The Tide; TribeAthletics.com

The Paladins: Furman, ranked in the top 25 before the season, rebounded from a loss to Charleston Southern with a 48-7 win over Stetson. Freshman QB Trey Hedden has thrown for 487 yards and three touchdowns, many of them to favorite WR Joshua Harris (13 receptions, 257 yards, two touchdowns). Nose tackle Xavier Stephens (6-foot-3, 295 pounds) has three sacks and will pose a blocking challenge for W&M’s offensive line.

The tribe: W&M comes into the matchup coming off a solid 28-21 road win at Wofford, where they used a late touchdown and a defense deep in their own territory in the final seconds to seal the win. The Tribe has averaged 30 points through three games thanks to the balance in the running game (196.7 yards per game) and the passing attack, converting more than half of its third down attempts. The Tribe defense is one of the best in the country at stopping opponents on third down, largely because it ranks fourth nationally among defenses in passing efficiency.

— Marty O’Brien

Christopher Newport (1-1) at Gettysburg (1-1)

When: 1pm Saturday

On air: Xtra 99.1FM; CNUsports.com

The balls: Gettysburg is the Captains’ second Centennial Conference opponent in as many weeks. The Bullets have had no trouble scoring points, losing 27-26 to Montclair State on a last-second field goal last week after opening the season with a 61-41 win over Juniata. The Bullets’ offense is well-balanced between the run (265.5 yards per game) and the pass (235.5 yards per game). The defense, however, has been porous, allowing 442.5 yards per game.

The captains: CNU beat Gettysburg 49-17 a year ago when QB Connor Barry threw two touchdowns and ran for another. With QB Matt Dzierski, the team’s all-time leading pass yardage player, missing this game with a foot injury, Barry will start against the Bullets. He will rely heavily on Gunner White, who ran for two TDs against the Bullets last year. The CNU defense has been outstanding in its first two games, allowing just 180 yards in a 14-3 loss to No. 7 Johns Hopkins last week.

— Marty O’Brien

Thaddeus Stevens (1-2) at Apprentice (1-1)

When: 14 o’clock

On air: youtube.com/@GoBuilderSports

The Bulldogs: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology defeated the Builders 24-21 last season in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This year, Stevens lost 27-8 to Hudson Valley Community College and 21-16 to Erie CC before defeating Maryland Showtime Prep 21-6. Oscar Condo, who played quarterback last season, is now the focal point of the offense.

The builders: Quarterback Grant Swanger and receivers TK Petty, Jasiah Beacham and Makegan Piorkowski have formed a potent combination, and Ty Taylor has led the running game of an offense averaging 36 points per game. The Apprentice defense will look to rebound after allowing 554 yards (446 rushing) in a 68-28 loss at Washington and Lee last week.

— Sonny Dearth