THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280754
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
They say the offensive line is the engine of a football team. If that's the case, Norfolk State figured to have big problems under the hood this year.
The Spartans had just two starters back, and one of those, Jonathan Mason, missed summer practice.
They were counting on three other players who had only a few downs of experience between them.
Which is why all summer long, offensive line coach Jonathan Cannon shadowed head coach Darnell Moore.
``What are we going to do about the offensive line, coach?''
``Coach, work with it,'' came the reply.
While Cannon played Mr. Goodwrench, Moore worried. He pronounced the offensive line the team's biggest question mark, and hoped for the best.
What he got was the worst. In a season-opening, 52-7 loss to Virginia State, a sieve-like line gave up five sacks and seven tackles for losses. The Spartans managed minus 9 yards rushing, on 35 carries.
``It was somewhat humiliating,'' Mason said.
Since then, however, the NSU engine has been running better. On occasion, it's even purred.
``We've forged a unity of sorts,'' Mason said. ``We know each other's strengths and weaknesses.''
They've forged it under fire, dropping back to pass block 50, sometimes 60 times per game in Norfolk State's wide-open offense.
In several games, Norfolk State has made no pretense of running. Down after down, everyone in the stadium knew quarterback Aaron Sparrow was going to throw.
No one knew it better than the opposing defenders. Defensive ends, outside linebackers, free safeties - they've all come thundering in at the Spartans.
``That does make it a tad more difficult,'' center Stephen Edmonds said. ``They knew we weren't trying to run the ball at all.''
Moore has pledged to run the ball more, and last week, against Virginia Union, the Spartans rushed for a season-high 168 yards.
At this point, though, the linemen say it's all the same to them.
``To be honest, pass blocking is easier on us,'' Edmonds said.
And with so much practice, they've become pretty good at it.
``It's harder on the defense,'' Mason said. ``They've got to pin their ears back and come on every play. That gets them tired out.
``By the fourth quarter, they're not offering much of anything.''
That's exactly how things played out against Winston-Salem State. With plenty of time to throw in the fourth quarter, quarterback Aaron Sparrow picked Winston-Salem apart in the final quarter, leading Norfolk State to a 50-48 victory.
The following week, against Hampton, Sparrow faded back to pass 60 times. He was sacked six times, but several Hampton defenders were openly frustrated at their inability to get to him.
``That was our best game,'' Mason said. ``Hampton was supposed to be the best there is, best there's ever been and best there will ever be.''
Cannon said he's willing to concede some sacks, because Norfolk State throws so often.
``But when we go back to throw 60 times and they sack us six, that's just one of out 10,'' he said.
``With pass blocking, you've got to have heart, and take pride in keeping a guy off the quarterback. These guys have really stepped up.''
And limped up. After the Virginia State debacle, the line made strides the following week in a 26-24 win over N.C. Central. It seemed much of the momentum would be lost, however, when tackle Ken McDaniel - considered the team's best lineman - strained a knee ligament in the game.
Instead, the line held together. Mason moved from guard to tackle, and Stanley Edmonds moved in at guard. Calvin Williams, a converted defensive tackle, manned the other guard spot and Chris Patterson, a transfer, hit his stride at tackle.
``It all started coming together then, when Ken got hurt,'' said Mason. ``We had to pull together.''
McDaniel returned against Hampton, and will be back in the starting lineup Saturday against Johnson C. Smith. He's staying at guard, leaving Mason at tackle.
Why pop the hood when things are running smoothly?
``I've got to hand it to them, they've really come around,'' Moore said. ``Especially when you look back to that first game.'' ILLUSTRATION: BILL TIERMAN/Staff
Getting offense: Norfolk State linemen, left to right, Chris
Patterson, Stan Edmonds, Jonathan Mason, Stephen Edmonds, Ken
McDaniel and Calvin Williams have turned from the team's biggest
question mark into an exclamation mark.
by CNB