THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411060327
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
With its high-powered offense sputtering and its All-American candidate quarterback battered and being taped back together on the sideline, Norfolk State was saved by an unlikely source late in Saturday's game against Lane College.
Its defense.
The Spartan defense, the most generous in the CIAA, shut out Lane in the second half Saturday and helped Norfolk State (6-3) escape with a 28-26 victory in front of a homecoming crowd of 25,599 at Foreman Field.
The clincher came with 30 seconds left when freshman cornerback Lydell Finley forced a fumble on Lane's Laderrick Means, turning the ball over to Norfolk State.
``I was looking at the quarterback's eyes and I knew he was throwing to (Means) all the way,'' Finley said. ``I just broke on the ball. Luckily, I got a good hit and he coughed it up.''
To say the defense was outstanding would be a stretch - the Spartans gave up 343 yards of offense. But consider: they usually give up 459.
What's more, 14 of Lane's 26 points were scored by its defense. Lane's offense scored just 12.
``We've had a long season,'' linebacker Richard Montgomery said. ``We were due to have a good game.''
And Lane (1-7) seemed to be the perfect opponent to have one against.
But contrary to expectations, the Dragons were no pushovers. They did, however, have a penchant for turnovers, losing five fumbles.
``Good thing they did,'' Norfolk State coach Darnell Moore said.
Any hopes of a homecoming rout were dashed late in the second quarter when Lane cut a 28-12 Spartan lead to 28-20 at halftime.
Then late in the third quarter, Spartan quarterback Aaron Sparrow was sacked and re-injured a bruised elbow. Sparrow, who has broken virtually ever Norfolk State passing record this year, left the game for about five minutes, the first time he's been off the field injured all season.
Johnnie Harrell replaced Sparrow and on the second play from scrimmage, with Norfolk State in the shotgun formation, a low snap skidded past him. Harrell tried to pick it up but booted it backwards toward the end zone, where Lane's Sean Harris fell on it for a touchdown.
Suddenly, it was 28-26 and Norfolk State, with Sparrow on the sideline, was just hanging on.
``That was my worst fear,'' Moore said. ``And it came true.''
Moore was worried about Sparrow getting hurt Saturday because backup Ryan Weiss - his only other experienced quarterback - left the team earlier in the week.
But Sparrow, who threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns, returned during the next series. He was limping, with his elbow heavily taped.
``Elbow, knee, ankle, you name it,'' Sparrow said afterward.
Sparrow tossed three touchdown passes to James Roe in the first half and rushed for another. But he also threw three interceptions, one of which was returned 85 yards for a touchdown by Lane's Eric Robinson. Another interception ended a Norfolk State drive that could have put the Spartans up two touchdowns at halftime.
Instead Norfolk State was up just one touchdown, and wouldn't get another score all afternoon. The offense, which piled up 306 yards in the first half, managed just 62 yards in the second.
Blame Sparrow's injury, but also credit a Lane defense that blitzed effectively.
``They were very aggressive,'' Moore said. ``And they have some lineman who could play anywhere.''
Norfolk State's defense also toughened, allowing just 114 yards in the second half.
``They definitely helped us,'' Sparrow said.
Lane was at times it's own worst enemy, however. In addition to losing five fumbles, the Dragons were penalized 16 times for 133 yards.
Norfolk State had 11 penalties, for 73 yards.
It wasn't pretty, but as Moore pointed out, a win is a win.
``There's a W column and an L column,'' he said. ``They don't have a U column for ugly.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Norfolk State's Yacento Scott, right, nails Lane's Steven Savoy,
forcing a fumble. The Spartans' defense allowed just 12 of the
Dragons' 26 points.
Photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Lane defenders sandwich Norfolk State tight end Aaron Hawkins
Saturday, forcing a fumble. The 1-7 Dragons put up a fight.
by CNB