Norfolk State’s dramatic defeat: Michael Vick suggests play call in waning moments was ignored

A late chance to run down time

North Carolina Central had no timeouts when Norfolk State took possession with 1:34 left on Saturday. Vick said the Spartans needed to run out the clock and that he had called for the victory formation. That approach would have meant taking knees at the line or using a running play to consume as much time as possible, according to Vick’s account.

A fumble changes the game

Norfolk State instead lined up in shotgun formation. Bailey took the snap, ran left and lost the ball, which North Carolina Central recovered. The Eagles then moved down the field and scored a touchdown to take a 29-28 lead. They missed the ensuing two-point conversion, but held on for the win.

Vick questions the play

Vick told reporters the late loss might have been avoided if someone had followed his instruction. He had been preparing to celebrate before the sequence turned against his team.

The defeat came in an FCS matchup between Norfolk State and North Carolina Central. The article does not report any further response from Bailey or other Norfolk State players.