College football capsules: Saturday's games

Norfolk State vs. Delaware State

When 1 p.m.

Where Price Stadium, Norfolk

TV ESPNU (tape-delayed, 10:30 p.m.)

Radio 91.1 FM

Records NSU 4-6, 3-4 MEAC; DSU 3-6, 3-3

About the Hornets This is a rematch of teams that decided last year's MEAC championship in their late-season match-up. This year, both are out of the race for the title. DSU lost its third straight last week, falling 27-26 to Winston-Salem State. QB Vashon Winton, who shined last year during DSU's undefeated run through the MEAC, has accounted for 1,530 total yards and 16 TDs this season.

About the Spartans NSU won its second straight last week, defeating Morgan State 35-9. The superior defensive effort produced seven turnovers. NSU lost 28-21 to the Hornets a year ago in OT, and the Hornets are the lone team in the MEAC that coach Pete Adrian has not beaten. NSU will recognize its 20 seniors playing their final home game. Don Carey, Dennis Marsh and Andy Ramer, along with three fourth-year juniors, will be honored. NSU is third in the nation in turnover margin and for the second straight week did not commit a turnover last Saturday.

Hampton at Florida A&M

When 3 p.m.

Where Tallahassee, Fla.

TV Game is not televised, but ESPN College Game Day will broadcast from this site beginning at 10 a.m.

Radio 88.1 FM

Records HU 5-4, 4-2 MEAC; Florida A&M 7-3, 3-3

Outlook The game is meaningless in the MEAC, but given the story line - Joe Taylor's old team (Hampton) and Taylor's new team (Florida A&M) square off - it is an attractive match-up. Taylor coached at Hampton for 16 years before moving to Florida A&M before this season. The game pits perhaps the best QBs in the conference in the Rattlers' Curtis Pulley vs. Hampton's Herb Bynes. Hampton has dropped its past two, most recently to Bethune-Cookman. The Pirates are hurting, with injuries to offensive linemen Dennis Conley and Ryan Cave. The Rattlers lead the MEAC in scoring offense; Bynes is No. 1 in the conference in total offense.

William and Mary at James Madison

When 1:30 p.m.

Where Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg

Records William and Mary 7-2, 5-1 CAA; JMU 8-1, 6-0

Radio 1310 AM, 92.3 FM, 107.9 FM

About William and Mary The Tribe has won five straight and with two regular season games left, already has won three more games than last year. The keys to the turnaround have been an improved running game and defense. W&M is rushing for 62 ypg more than a year ago, providing balance to an offense ranked 12th in I-AA. True freshman RB Jonathan Grimes leads the CAA in all-purpose yards, and QB Jake Phillips has thrown 19 TD passes. The defense ranks 28th nationally and is giving up 80 fewer yards and 11 fewer points a game than 2007. The Tribe is 12th in the I-AA poll and needs to win either today or next week against Richmond to strengthen its shot at a first playoff bid since 2004.

About James Madison The No. 1 team in I-AA has won eight straight since a season-opening loss to Duke and four straight over the Tribe, dating to 2004. JMU has come from behind to beat Appalachian State, Richmond and Villanova - the latter two on TDs with fewer than 5 seconds left. QB Rodney Landers (Tallwood High) keys a running game that ranks sixth in the nation, piling up 256 ypg. Landers ran for 171 yards against W&M a year ago, and ran for 185 in a win over Delaware on Nov. 1. He averages 125 rushing yards a game, seventh in the nation. The Dukes are averaging 36.9 points, tops in school history. JMU's defense ranks 14th in the nation. The Dukes have won 17 of their past 18 at home and could lock up home-field advantage in the playoffs with a win today.

Notre Dame at Navy

When Noon

Where M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Records Notre Dame 5-4, Navy 6-3

TV WTKR

Radio 102.1 FM, 1490 AM

About Notre Dame The heat is on Irish coach Charlie Weis, the supposed offensive guru, after a shutdown loss to Boston College last week. QB Jimmy Clausen threw 4 INTs and the running game gained just 66 yards. A win would make the Irish bowl-eligible, while a third straight loss - and second straight to Navy - would give Weis' critics more ammunition.

About Navy The Midshipmen locked up a bid to the Eagle Bank Bowl two weeks ago by rallying from 20 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Temple in OT. Navy is second in the nation in rushing, and its triple option attack has continued to hum even without injured QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. A key today will be whether Navy's secondary can handle Clausen and a talented group of WRs.

Favorite Notre Dame by 4

East Carolina at Southern Miss

When 3 p.m.

Where M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Miss.

Records ECU 6-3, 4-1 Conference USA; Southern Miss 4-6, 2-4

Outlook The Pirates have won three straight - the last two in OT - to put themselves in position to reach the C-USA championship game. QB Patrick Pinkney has returned to early-season form after battling ankle injuries. ECU's defense has held its past three opponents to an average of 12 points. Southern Miss has allowed 20 points the past two games, and LB Gerald McRath leads the conference in tackles. Star RB Damion Fletcher missed last week with a leg injury, but QB Austin Davis is also a dangerous runner.

Favorite Southern Miss by 21/2

Delaware at Richmond

When 3:30 p.m.

Where UR Stadium, Richmond

Records Delaware 4-6, 2-4 CAA; Richmond 7-3, 4-2.

Radio 950 AM

Outlook Don't look for these two to replicate last season's 62-56, 5OT epic won by the Spiders at Delaware Stadium with the South Division title on the line. The Blue Hens are having a down year but could spoil Senior Day for seventh-ranked Richmond. Wins today and next Saturday at William and Mary would help the Spiders lock up a playoff spot. Richmond's defense leads the CAA in scoring (16.6 ppg) and total (269.4 ypg) and has held three straight opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. Senior TB Josh Vaughan is coming off a 240-yard effort against Hofstra.

Ferrum at CNU

When 1 p.m.

Where POMOCO Stadium, Newport News

Records Ferrum 7-2, 5-1 USA South; Christopher Newport 7-1, 6-0

Radio 99.1 FM

Outlook The Captains carry a seven-game win streak into a game that will decide the USA South title and who gets the automatic D-III playoff berth. CNU moved into the Top 25 for the first time this season, at No. 23. Ferrum had won seven straight before losing 41-14 to N.C. Wesleyan last week. CNU is trying to win the league for the fourth time in the six seasons it has been in USA South. Junior Tunde Ogun (1,453 yards, 181.6 ypg) leads the nation in rushing and already has the school and conference season rushing marks with a game to go.

- Ed Miller, Vicki L. Friedman, Tom White