Mike Vick Secures First College Coaching Win, Faces Rutgers Challenge
Mike Vick, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, achieved his first victory as head coach of the Norfolk State Spartans on Saturday. The Spartans triumphed over Virginia State in a thrilling 34-31 overtime win, marking a significant milestone for Vick's burgeoning coaching career.
The Spartans' Comeback Victory
The Norfolk State team staged a remarkable second-half comeback against Virginia State, electrifying the campus and its fans. This victory followed a 27-7 loss to Towson in their season opener. The Spartans recognized Vick's leadership by awarding him the game ball after their hard-fought win.
"It means the world to me," Vick expressed in a video posted on (X). "I just love what I'm doing. I love being around these guys every day. I love coming in and trying to find ways to motivate them, push them to become better players, better men. That's our moment. That's what opportunity we have together to do something special, we feel is going to continue to add up to. We'll take it one game at a time and one day at a time, and enjoy this."
Facing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Spartans now prepare for a formidable challenge against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. This marks Vick's first encounter as head coach against an FBS opponent. Rutgers boasts a 2-0 record, having secured wins against Ohio and Miami (OH). The game will be held during Rutgers' opening homestand of four games, raising the stakes for the Big Ten school.
Vick's Perspective on the Upcoming Game
Vick shared his thoughts on the upcoming matchup against Rutgers with the Sporting News, emphasizing the importance of mindset. "They got to lace them up just like us,” Vick said. “They’re going to feel like we shouldn’t be on the field with them, and we’re going to feel like they shouldn’t be on the field with us. It’s just the attitude and the mindset you bring.” Vick saw confidence in his team during the week two victory. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept 13th at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Behind Enemy Lines: An Inside Look at the Norfolk State Spartans
Steven Gaither of HBCU Gameday joined The Knight Report to offer an in-depth look at the Norfolk State Spartans providing additional insight into the team's strengths and weaknesses.