THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410160204
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER AND PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
After Hampton's 53-28 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday, Hampton alum Terrence Warren, a wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks, sought out Spartans receiver James Roe.
``You've got a future in the NFL,'' Warren told Roe.
It's beginning to look that way. Roe, a junior from Richmond, was routinely brilliant Saturday, catching 10 passes for 203 yards.
As usual, several of Roe's catches were of the circus variety. And as usual, Roe knew what to do after he caught the ball, leaving defenders grabbing at air as he picked up extra yardage.
Roe did it despite pulling a hamstring in the second quarter.
``You can't quit,'' Roe said.
Saturday's totals give Roe 42 catches for 848 yards and seven touchdowns. He's already Norfolk State's all-time receiving leader with 140 catches, for 2,621 yards, in 27 games.
``You have to give him his due,'' Hampton defensive back Eugene Hairston said. ``He's one of the top receivers anywhere.''
OLD FRIENDS: The Hampton defender most often in Aaron Sparrow's face - and on Sparrow's back - Saturday afternoon was defensive end Hugh Hunter, who had played with Sparrow at Wilson High.
The junior defensive end sacked Sparrow four times - and helped him to his feet after each one.
``I try to do that to all my opponents,'' Hunter said. ``I get a good lick, then give `em a helping hand.''
Hunter and his defensive mates were a little frustrated that they sacked Sparrow ``only'' six times. Sparrow, after all, dropped back to pass 67 times.
``But you've got to give him (Sparrow) a lot of credit,'' Hunter said. ``That was no average quarterback. If he was in Division I, he'd be another Charlie Ward.''
RECORD BOOK: In addition to setting records for completions and attempts, Sparrow became Norfolk State's all-time passing-yardage leader Saturday. His 424 yards Saturday give him 4,123 for his career. Kermit Buggs owned the old record, passing for 3,874 yards from 1990 to 1993.
Sparrow also went over 2,000 yards for the season. He has 2,015, just nine short of Buggs' single-season record of 2,024, set last season. Sparrow also has thrown 18 touchdown passes this season, tying Buggs' single-season record also set last year.
SEE IT AGAIN: Home Team Sports will air the game tonight at 8. Settle in for a long evening. The game took 3 hours and 55 minutes. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Hampton's Eugene Hairston closes in on Aaron Sparrow, who was sacked
six times Saturday.
by CNB