Less than a week away from the season opener, Norfolk State will be without its starting quarterback.
According to the Virginian Pilot, Otto Kuhns will miss the first four games of the season, including the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Florida A&M, due to an unidentified NCAA ruling.
While Norfolk State coach Dawson Odums did not elaborate on the nature of Kuhns’ suspension, he hinted that it might be academic in nature.
“(It) comes from so many hours that you got to pass the previous season,” Odums told the newspaper on Sunday.
“So we did some things to try to put him in position, to see if we could get that reduced, and it didn’t happen. But at the end of the day, he understands it, [and] we understand it. That’s the hand you’re dealt, and you move forward.”
Asked Norfolk State HC Dawson Odums if Kuhns would be available and he said he’d be sitting out for four games.
Followed up and asked if it was 1) an NCAA ruling and 2) if it was academic thing/ could he provide details
This is the quote Odums gave: pic.twitter.com/jSP9fkD92D
— Michael Sauls (@mcsauls) August 18, 2024
Kuhns entered the 2024 HBCU football season as the only returning MEAC quarterback who started in week one of the 2023 season.
The senior quarterback finished last year with 1,244 passing yards, scoring 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions while also rushing for three touchdowns.
Taking his place in the starting role is Jalen Daniels, who transferred to Norfolk State this offseason from Garden City Community College.