CHICAGO – The Chicago State Football Cougars play their fifth game in program history Saturday night at SeatGeek Stadium, as they welcome Head Coach Michael Vick and the Norfolk State Spartans for a 6 p.m. contest.
Group tickets start at only $20 and are available at gocsucougars.com/tickets. The game will be video streamed on the
CSU Athletics YouTube channel and can be heard on
WVON 1690 AM.
The Cougars (1-3 overall) and Spartans (2-2) are both led by former high school quarterbacks from Norfolk who went on to collegiate and professional success. CSU Chicago State Head Coach
Bobby Rome II was a four-year starting quarterback at Grandy High School, leading his team to the Eastern District title. He went on to play collegiately at North Carolina, where Rome transitioned to fullback and played in 49 games for the Tar Heels. As a professional, Rome spent time with three NFL teams before continuing his playing career in Russia.
Vick prepped at Ferguson HS and Warwick HS in Norfolk, then played collegiately at Virginia Tech before a 13-year NFL career.
CSU's offense has become the most explosive in the Northeast Conference. The Cougars lead the NEC in total offense (364.8 yards per game), rushing offense (114.0 ypg), passing offense (250.8 ypg), scoring offense (33.3 ppg), and third-down conversions (36.4%; 20 of 55).
Individually, QB
Ashton Pannell leads NEC in total offense (245.0 ypg), passing yards (905), passing yards per game (226.3), touchdowns (nine; T-7th in FCS), passing efficiency (152.19), and completion pct (70.2% - 8th in FCS). His primary target, WR
Kymari Gray, ranks second in the conference in both receptions (16) and receiving yards (229) and third in touchdowns. (three). RB
Chris Edmonds is third in all-purpose yards (311), and RB Michael Dabney is third in kickoff returns (23.8 ypr).
Defensively, Chicago State is one of eight teams tied for the FCS national lead with two interceptions for touchdowns, both coming in the Cougars' inaugural win over Kentucky Christian on Sept. 12. S
Jayden Earley's three interceptions lead the NEC and are tied for second nationally. Earley had a 62-yard pick six in the second quarter, while teammate LB
Lesroy Tittle's 82-yard pick six came in the fourth quarter.
Norfolk State is in its second season under Vick. The Spartans defeated rival Hampton, 42-21 last week.
FAN INFORMATION: Saturday is Divine 9 Night, honoring the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which serves cities nationwide through community service, civic engagement, and outreach programs. Members are encouraged to wear their gear to the game.
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University sponsors 17 Division I intercollegiate athletic teams and competes in the Northeast (NEC) Conference. CSU's athletic program includes over 300 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, triathlon and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. For more information and updates on Chicago State Football, visit
www.gocsucougars.com.
About Chicago State University
Chicago State University, founded in 1867, is the oldest public university in the Chicago Metropolitan area. The University's four colleges offer over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree-granting and non-degree programs. CSU is committed to equity in education, serving as the only U.S. Department of Education-designated four-year Predominantly Black Institution in Illinois. The University's continued value to students and the State of Illinois is demonstrated by the ranking by a Harvard economist that places CSU in the top 4 percent of public and private universities nationwide in supporting its graduates' economic mobility. The University serves as a prominent community anchor and civic space on the greater south side of Chicago by leading a multitude of athletic, educational, cultural, and recreational activities. Visit
csu.edu.
