Michael Vick secured his first Division I victory in resounding fashion with a blowout win over Hampton in this year's Battle of the Bay. Last year's matchup was a high-scoring affair that stayed close throughout and saw Hampton ultimately emerge victorious. But in Vick's second year leading the Spartans, they looked way more potent offensively and ultimately found a way to run up the score, where Hampton never truly had a chance.

In April, when I saw Norfolk State's schedule, I saw exactly the potential of this season for the Spartans.

“The schedule is ripe to showcase a proof of concept to Norfolk State stakeholders and alumni, and also generate buzz among HBCU fans around the nation and HBCU prognosticators. I believe Norfolk State's surefire wins in 2026 are against Winston-Salem State, Chicago State, Robert Morris, and Virginia University of Lynchburg. I believe the minimum number of wins they will get is four…Now, with the foundation of four victories, perhaps Vick can get to seven. Could his retooled Spartans beat the Hampton University team that is retooling itself after firing Trent Boykin and hiring former Kansas State assistant Van Malone? It's very possible.”

It was simple to see that Vick having a winning season in his second season with the Spartans was on the board. The schedule favored an amazing, considerable bounce-back season, as well as proof of concept for the team Vick wants to build in his time with Norfolk State. They're already ahead of my prediction, as they beat Winston-Salem State 56-0 in Week 1, and are headed towards matchups against upstart football program Chicago State, Robert Morris, and Virginia University of Lynchburg for homecoming before the start of conference play. Will Norfolk State, already at 2-2, enter the matchup against South Carolina State at 5-2? If everything goes correctly…

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Norfolk State's win was sustained by a phenomenal run game. Jalyn Daniels finished with 102 yards on 22 carries, and Ravon Moore Jr. rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. Deljay Bailey added another touchdown and 50 yards on 12 carries. Hampton looked to keep the score respectable, scoring 14 points in the first half. But Norfolk State held Hampton to no points in the third quarter and 7 points in the fourth.

Norfolk State's special teams also were potent in this matchup, with Marco Peery hitting three straight field goals to put Norfolk State up 28-14. Perhaps his most impressive field goal was a 46-yarder that put Norfolk State up 25-14 with 11 minutes and 59 seconds left in the third quarter.

This next stretch of games will surely give the Spartans confidence heading into conference play. Confidence doesn't win you games, but that level of confidence gives you the freedom to perform at your best and believe no one in front of you is worthy of beating you. Perhaps that could be enough to pull off some upset victories in the MEAC, as Vick looks to further build a powerhouse heading into year 3 of his tenure in 2027.

But the Spartans are winning games that they should be, and that doesn't mean that they'll be a powerhouse. Seeing the proverbial football go through the uprights must be nice for the Spartan faithful.