CHICAGO – The Chicago State Football Cougars showed they are building a program that will battle on every play, even as they fell to Norfolk State 43-20 Saturday night at SeatGeek Stadium.

The Cougars got off to a fast start with a pair of big plays. Norfolk State fumbled the opening kickoff, which was recovered by Chicago State's Levi Walker. On the next play, quarterback Ashton Pannell connected with Kymari Gray on a 30-yard touchdown pass, giving Chicago State a 7-0 lead 10 seconds into the game.

After several big scoring plays gave Norfolk a 29-7 advantage in the first half, CSU battled back. Pannell completed a five-play, 50-yard scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 29-13 with 8:32 to play in the second quarter.

S Jayden Earley, who entered the game tied for second in FCS football in interceptions, made his fourth pick of the season on the final play of the first half, giving the Cougars momentum into the halftime locker room.

In the third quarter, CSU special teams made another big play. Tehron Spencer blocked a punt, which teammate Adrian Bowers recovered and returned 50 yards for a touchdown, bringing the Cougars within nine at 29-20 less than five minutes into the period. However, CSU would not score again.

Chicago State returns to action Saturday at Tarleton State at 6 p.m. in Stephenville, TX.