Team building. Both Norfolk State and Chicago State (in its inaugural year of football) are setting the stage for this Saturday (September 26, 2026) and beyond
Team building. Team chemistry. Team culture. Tradition. Making history.
These are terms we typically read and hear about when it comes to a myriad of fields, including college sports and specifically, college football.
This Saturday, September 26, 2026 (at 6pm CST at SeatGreek Stadium), fans of the game of football can see how 2 teams are setting the stage for a potentially successful season and beyond, ranging from the wins and losses to simply building a foundation for years to come. The Norfolk State Spartans (2-2) of the MEAC Conference are making their way to the Windy City to take on the Chicago State Cougars (1-3), who are in their inaugural season of playing college football (as they are independents this year before their 2027 entry into the Northeast Conference) , as they are a newly minted Division 1 program, the first ever in the city Chicago.
Both teams are showing signs of growth, but there are focused on more than that for this Saturday's game.
Norfolk State's offense comes in scoring an average of about 28 points per game (27.8) and 331 total yards of offense per game (including 181.8 yards per game on the ground, indicating their run oriented offense). By the same token, they are allowing 27.8 points per game (the same amount their offense scores), as they are allowing 293.5 yards per game. On the other hand, Chicago State comes in with a higher scoring offense (averaging 37.7 points per game along with an offense producing 386 yards per game), including a passing attack providing nearly 275 passing yards per game (274.3). Defensively, they are allowing 31 points per game along with 365 total yards per game, so by the numbers, the game may shape up in a higher scoring game as both teams are showing the capacity to score in the upper 20's to low 30's per game.
During the press conference presented by All HBCU Sports Network (on September 21, 2026), we open by hearing remarks from Norfolk State Head Coach Michael Vick. The former NFL star (most notably with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles) is making positive strides in his second year as a college head coach. With a 2-2 overall record, the team looks to build on its win against Hampton University last weekend and getting above the .500 mark (winning record). He speaks to the character building, continued growth on and off the field, and the team's focus on the game this Saturday along with the excitement of playing in the city of Chicago. He also fields our question and builds upon these and related themes (you may watch the video below for an additional point of reference):
Although Chicago State is in its first-ever season of playing football, the Cougars sport a 1-3 record and an opportunity to score a big win at home. Head Coach Bobby Rome has a special interest in the game as he grew up in Norfolk, VA (not too far from Norfolk State University). During his segment, he speaks to the building a program from the ground up and establishing an expectation and culture for the season and beyond. Ranging from the team's energy and excitement of the game to their growth from game to game, there's something special building at Chicago's first (and only) Division 1 program. He reinforces these reflections when he fields our question (you may watch the video below for more details):
Player representatives from both teams speak during the press conference as well.
Chicago State's Ashton Pannell (the starting quarterback hails from Long Beach, CA and is a true freshman) and Breylon Wyatt (the safety is from Houston, TV and is a transfer from Austin Peay) speak to more than just the ability of making history. Both are key contributors to the team's growth (Pannell is 71/98 for a 72.5% completion percentage/725 passing yards along with 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions; Wyatt has 10 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery) and during the press conference, they share their respective journeys, the opportunities to play and contribute to the team, and building on the lessons learned 4 games into the season and how they can help with their preparation for the upcoming game and beyond. Both reiterate these and related themes when they field our question (you may refer to the video below for more details):
Brevin Caldwell (the wide receiver who is from Charlotte, NC is a transfer from Johnson C. Smith) and Kaleb Broadbent (the defensive back is from the Seven Cities/Chesapeake, VA) conclude the press conference. The Norfolk State players are looking to build upon the momentum from their win over Hampton as they enter a key stretch of their season (which includes upcoming conference play in the MEAC). While they are excited about the prospects of playing in Chicago, their are keeping the main thing the main thing as they prepare for Chicago State, as they emphasize these and related themes when they field our question (you may watch the video for more details):
Be it a 2nd year head coach (Norfolk State) or a 1st year program that already has 1 win under their belt (Chicago State), both teams are focused on securing a win this Saturday along with bigger wins during the season, off the field, and beyond.
In their own way, they are team building, building chemistry, culture, and tradition, along with making history.
NOTES: You may watch the full press conference and related videos on our playlist (click HERE to view). For ticket information, readers may visit the website for SeatGreek Stadium (click HERE).
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