With the college football season nearing its final playoff rankings, Michael Vick’s Norfolk State team had a painful finish to its weekend game against North Carolina Central. The Eagles scored in the closing seconds to win, 29-28.
Norfolk State appeared to be in control late Saturday. North Carolina Central had no timeouts, and the Spartans had possession with 1:34 remaining. Vick said the plan was to use the victory formation and run out the clock.
Instead, quarterback Deljay Bailey took the snap in shotgun and ran left, then lost the ball. North Carolina Central recovered, drove downfield and scored. The Eagles missed the two-point conversion but held a one-point lead.
Vick told reporters he had called for kneel-downs and said he was confused when he looked up and saw the Spartans running a play. He had taken off his headset, believing the game was essentially over.
Video from the final moments showed the players gathering with offensive coordinator Brian Sheppard. Vick, without his headset, joined them and later reiterated that he had called for the victory formation. It remains unclear why Norfolk State ran the riskier play instead.
The Spartans got the ball back and reached field-goal range, but their 37-yard attempt missed.
