Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508300024
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: CF-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICH RADFORD LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But they would like a more official title: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions. And with former CIAA powerhouse Hampton University now in the NCAA Division I-AA ranks, the race is wide-open, just like the Spartans' offense.
For Norfolk State to win the CIAA, though, a defense so poor a year ago that no nickname was suitable must make the offense's output stand up.
The Spartans, 7-3 last season, averaged 34.5 points a game but gave up an average of 31.
Head coach Darnell Moore addressed the defense's weaknesses by recruiting.
``Last year, we felt we had some dogs that wouldn't hunt,'' Moore said. ``We went out and found some dogs we think can hunt. We think we even found some that bite.''
Evidently so. Eight starters returned on defense, but only four are listed as starters under first-year defensive coordinator James Garland.
The offense was one-dimensional last year, but it was difficult to stop. Sparrow threw for 3,212 yards and 31 touchdowns. Roe caught 77 passes for 1,454 yards and 17 touchdowns. And Darius Blount caught 57 passes for 800 yards, giving the Spartans two receivers who accounted for more yardage than the Spartans ran for collectively - 511 yards.
Here is a look at the other CIAA teams:
Virginia State: Rodney Granger returns at quarterback after passing for 1,693 yards and 17 touchdowns. Robert ``Bo'' Morgan, who ran for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns, is back at tailback.
Tackle Leroy Lewis anchors a defense that, like the offense, has eight starters returning. The Trojans were 7-3 last year.
But one key player who isn't returning is defensive coordinator Andrew Faison, who accepted the same position at Winston-Salem State in the off-season.
North Carolina Central: With possibly the best linebacking corps in the CIAA - James Grant, Tevin Bogan and Tommy Dorsey - and two of the four All-CIAA preseason linemen - Michael Lattimore and Tyrone Odoms - the Eagles expect to be solid defensively.
After back-to-back 6-5 records, head coach Larry Little sees his Eagles as legitimate contenders.
N.C. Central has been the best in the CIAA at special-teams play, and that shouldn't change this year with kick-returner Monte Southerland, kicker Kevin Houston and punter Trei Oliver all coming back.
Winston-Salem State: Running back Richard Huntley has his sights set on rewriting the CIAA record book and is coming off a junior season in which he rushed for 1,815 yards and 18 touchdowns. Huntley has rushed for 4,397 yards in his career.
To help open some holes for Huntley and others, defensive lineman John Robinson (6-5, 305) was moved to offensive tackle in the off-season.
The Rams gave up 38 or more points five times last season. The addition of defensive coordinator Andrew Faison from Virginia State should help matters.
Elizabeth City State: Former Norfolk State assistant George Moody begins his third year at the helm, and the Vikings' offensive line returns intact.
Quarterback Kenny Crump returns, as well, as do running backs Aaron Murchinson and Malcolm Mackey.
Moody also has recruited wide receiver Sharano Woodley from the basketball team.
Virginia Union: Head coach Willard Bailey returns after 12 years away from the school and two away from coaching. Most recently the head coach at Norfolk State, Bailey inherits a Union squad that finished 1-9 a year ago.
The Panthers have seven players back on offense and eight on defense and most are underclassmen; the roster includes only six seniors.
Donald Ruffin returns at quarterback, but will be asked to learn his fourth offense under his fourth head coach. Paul Macklin, who caught 42 passes for 574 yards, is expected to be a prime target. Sophomore running back Korey Fuller will be asked to step in for departed Bobby Phillips, who is with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
Livingstone: The Fighting Bears have suffered from severe player turnover in the last few years, but coach Rudy Abrams hopes that trend has reversed, particularly following a 5-5 season after a 1-10 finish in 1993.
High hopes this season are pinned on running back Wilmont Perry and defensive back George Williams.
Fayetteville State: Things aren't going too well when a coach spends most of his time talking about his incoming freshmen. The Broncos were 4-5 last year. It would be a success if Jerome Harper's fourth edition can match that record.
Freshman quarterback Demetriz Davis and running backs Walter Young and Harry Harris will be given ample opportunity to win jobs.
Bowie State: Sherman Wood says the Bulldogs have their best talent since 1988 and expect to improve on their 2-8 mark of a year ago. But the Bulldogs were picked to finish ninth out of 10 in the CIAA.
``I'd like to thank you, everyone,'' Wood told his fellow coaches at CIAA media day. ``There's no pressure on me.''
Darrell Foote returns at quarterback after passing for 1,293 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. The Bulldogs would like to pass on a big raspberry to their schedule maker; they play four of their first five games on the road.
Johnson C. Smith: The Golden Bulls finished 0-10 last season and are picked to finish in the cellar again.
Daryl McNeill takes over, but with little returning. Wide receivers Reggie Lawrence and Brandon Armstrong are proven targets, but who will get them the ball?
Larcoy McRae is a quality building block at linebacker, but McNeill may be in need of some Superglue to hold this bunch together.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Winston-Salem State (6-5 overall, 5-3 CIAA in 1994); 2, Virginia State (7-3, 6-2); 3, Norfolk State (7-3, 5-3); 4, North Carolina Central (6-5, 5-3); 5, Elizabeth City State (5-6, 3-5); 6, Livingstone (5-5, 5-3); 7, Fayetteville State (4-5, 4-4); 8, Virginia Union (1-9, 1-7); 9, Bowie State (2-8, 2-6); 10, Johnson C. Smith (0-10, 0-8).
by CNB