Norfolk, Va. – In the closing minutes of Saturday’s Football Championship Subdivision matchup, Norfolk State University suffered a 29‑28 loss to North Carolina Central after a fumble on a crucial play. Former NFL star and Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick told local media that he had called for a victory formation to run out the clock, but the team ran a standard shotgun snap instead.
What happened in the final minute
With 1:34 remaining, the Spartans held the ball and had the advantage of zero timeouts for the Eagles. Vick said his instruction was simple: line up in a victory formation, which typically involves two kneel‑downs or a short running play to drain the clock. Instead, quarterback Deljay Bailey took a shotgun snap, rolled left and fumbled the ball. North Carolina Central recovered, drove down the field and scored a touchdown, taking a 29‑28 lead after a missed two‑point conversion.
Vick’s account
Speaking to WTKR‑TV, Vick explained, “I put my headset down. I called victory formation. All we had to do was take a knee, kneel the clock out. That’s just situational football. I don’t know what happened in regards to that. I looked up and we were running the ball, then I saw the fumble.” He added, “I really don’t know why we even ran that play.” A video of the final moments shows Vick standing near the offensive huddle without a headset, listening as the team discussed the play call.
Why the play mattered
In a game decided by a single point, the decision to run a victory formation could have ended the contest without giving the Eagles a chance to score. Norfolk State did regain possession later and advanced into field‑goal range, but a 37‑yard attempt missed, sealing the loss.
Looking ahead
Vick and the Spartans will review the game tape to ensure clear communication on end‑of‑game situations. The loss drops Norfolk State’s record and underscores the importance of disciplined clock management in close contests.
North Carolina Central’s dramatic comeback adds another thrilling chapter to the FCS season, while Norfolk State hopes to learn from the misstep and finish the regular season strong.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
