In a matchup that paired history with high-level competition, the spotlight was on both Norfolk State, led by Mike Vick in his advisory role, and Rutgers, under the steady hand of head coach Greg Schiano. Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted the importance of growth, resilience, and the evolving identity of football at every level.
For Vick, the opportunity to compete against a Big Ten opponent carried weight that extended beyond one afternoon’s result.
“These games are important—every game is important,” Vick stressed. “It’s an opportunity to go out and compete, and it sets you up for the next. Every experience matters. We go into a game knowing that we’re gonna win, not hoping. That’s always my message.”
It’s a mindset forged by his own journey, now passed on to the next generation of athletes. And while the outcome didn’t go Norfolk State’s way, Vick emphasized the lessons hidden in the loss.
“We gotta get better in all three phases, it showed today. We just gotta continue to work hard and find ways to improve, that’s most important.”
The game also sparked reflection from Vick, whose dual-threat quarterbacking style—once dismissed as unorthodox—has now become a model for the NFL and NCAA.
“Playing football, you gotta execute on all levels,” he explained. “There’s no in between, or things get out of control and you’re gonna get beat. We’re not in the business of losing—we’re in the business of winning. That’s just what it’s gonna be moving forward.”
For Vick, seeing the game embrace mobility and creativity at the quarterback position is both validation and motivation for the future of players coming through HBCU programs.
On the opposite sideline, Greg Schiano praised his Rutgers squad for their clean, mistake-free execution, pointing to a stat that has defined their success.
“I was really proud of the offense. That’s three straight games with zero turnovers,” Schiano said. “When we don’t turn the ball over, we have a real high percentage of winning—I think we’re nineteen and two now since we’ve been back. That’s not easy. The guys on the other side get a say in it, but our guys are really committed to protecting the football.”
Schiano also echoed the importance of building a complete identity. While pleased with the resilience shown in overcoming a slow offensive start, he knows there’s another level to reach.
“When you can do it in several different ways and put it all together, you can have a really good football team,” he said. “But we’ve yet to do that. We’ve had it at one time and not at the other. Putting it all together is the next step.”
Together, the voices of Vick and Schiano underscore the dual narratives that defined the game. For Norfolk State, it was about gaining experience, measuring themselves against elite competition, and believing they belong. For Rutgers, it was about refining execution, avoiding mistakes, and chasing the elusive complete performance.
Two programs, two perspectives—but a shared belief that football is as much about building for tomorrow as it is about winning today.
A better brand, built by Vaughn & Co. ©
