THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411130191
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Long : 143 lines
Norfolk State threw an end-of-season party Saturday afternoon and invited the perfect guests: the Kentucky State Thorobreds.
In what can best be described as part football game, part celebration of a turnaround season, the Spartans hammered the Thorobreds, 60-7, in front of 7,840 at Indian River High. Norfolk State finished the season 7-3, its best season since 1991 and a complete turnaround from last season's 3-7-1 record.
``In my entire college career, this is the most fun I've ever had,'' senior linebacker James Walton said.
Walton made 14 tackles and had two sacks, at least on the score sheet. His third sack came with 3:17 left when he caught a scrambling Darnell Moore on the sideline and held him as the coach was doused with water from a giant bucket.
The fun didn't stop there. Just when the laughs from Moore's bath were dying down, the Spartans' Carlos Robertson picked off a Tyron Coker pass near midfield and began sprinting down the sideline. When a Kentucky State defender approached, Robertson flipped the ball to teammate Lydell Finley, who scored one final touchdown.
``We wanted to go out with a bang, and I think we did,'' Finley said.
It was more like an explosion. The Spartans dominated from start to finish.
``We did everything we wanted to do,'' offensive tackle Chris Patterson said. ``We ran a lot. We threw the ball a lot. It was a perfect game.''
And Kentucky State was a perfect opponent. The Thorobreds (1-9-1) had been outscored 116-8 in their previous two games, and were Thoro-ly outclassed Saturday.
``They're not on our level,'' offensive tackle Jonathan Mason said.
Kentucky State upset Norfolk State 26-24 last year but never threatened Saturday. The Thorobreds drove to the Norfolk State five on their first possession but were turned away on downs. Norfolk State took over and scored on its next five possessions.
It was senior day, so backup Johnnie Harrell started at quarterback. He gave way to Aaron Sparrow after eight plays, however, and Sparrow soon began slinging the ball all over the field.
The junior from Portsmouth was slowed by knee, ankle and elbow injuries and was not his usual mobile self.
``He could still throw the ball, though,'' Patterson said.
Sparrow completed 20 of 30 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns. It was the seventh time this year he's thrown for more than 300 yards.
As usual, Sparrow's main target was junior James Roe, who tied his own team record with 12 catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns.
Sparrow also connected with Darius Blount for two touchdown passes. Receiver-turned-tailback Brian Rountree scored another and the defense accounted for three.
The first defensive score came late in the second quarter when freshman defensive end Yacento Scott tipped a Roman Lori pass, gathered it in, and took off. Scott, a converted fullback, looked like a tailback as he sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown.
The defense struck again early in the fourth quarter when DeShawn Anderson blocked a Kentucky State punt and George Bowser fell on the ball in the end zone. Robertson's interception provided the final defensive highlight.
The defense has been criticized all year for doing little. But on Saturday, they turned in their best game.
``We just decided we were going to go after them,'' Walton said. ``We blitzed 60 to 70 percent of the time.
``We wanted to goose-egg them, but we came out a little flat in the second half and that's the one series they scored.''
It wasn't enough to spoil anybody's good time.
``We had fun out there,'' Sparrow said. ``And it's all about having fun.''
CHESAPEAKE - Norfolk State threw an end-of-season party Saturday afternoon and invited the perfect guests: the Kentucky State Thorobreds.
In what can best be described as part football game, part celebration of a turnaround season, the Spartans hammered the Thorobreds, 60-7, in front of 7,840 at Indian River High. Norfolk State finished the season 7-3, its best season since 1991 and a complete turnaround from last season's 3-7-1 record.
``In my entire college career, this is the most fun I've ever had,'' senior linebacker James Walton said.
Walton made 14 tackles and had two sacks, at least on the score sheet. His third sack came with 3:17 left when he caught a scrambling Darnell Moore on the sideline and held him as the coach was doused with water from a giant bucket.
The fun didn't stop there. Just when the laughs from Moore's bath were dying down, the Spartans' Carlos Robertson picked off a Tyron Coker pass near midfield and began sprinting down the sideline. When a Kentucky State defender approached, Robertson flipped the ball to teammate Lydell Finley, who scored one final touchdown.
``We wanted to go out with a bang, and I think we did,'' Finley said.
It was more like an explosion. The Spartans dominated from start to finish.
``We did everything we wanted to do,'' offensive tackle Chris Patterson said. ``We ran a lot. We threw the ball a lot. It was a perfect game.''
And Kentucky State was a perfect opponent. The Thorobreds (1-9-1) had been outscored 116-8 in their previous two games, and were Thoro-ly outclassed Saturday.
``They're not on our level,'' offensive tackle Jonathan Mason said.
Kentucky State upset Norfolk State 26-24 last year but never threatened Saturday. The Thorobreds drove to the Norfolk State five on their first possession but were turned away on downs. Norfolk State took over and scored on its next five possessions.
It was senior day, so backup Johnnie Harrell started at quarterback. He gave way to Aaron Sparrow after eight plays, however, and Sparrow soon began slinging the ball all over the field.
The junior from Portsmouth was slowed by knee, ankle and elbow injuries and was not his usual mobile self.
``He could still throw the ball, though,'' Patterson said.
Sparrow completed 20 of 30 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns. It was the seventh time this year he's thrown for more than 300 yards.
As usual, Sparrow's main target was junior James Roe, who tied his own team record with 12 catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns.
Sparrow also connected with Darius Blount for two touchdown passes. Receiver-turned-tailback Brian Rountree scored another and the defense accounted for three.
The first defensive score came late in the second quarter when freshman defensive end Yacento Scott tipped a Roman Lori pass, gathered it in, and took off. Scott, a converted fullback, looked like a tailback as he sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown.
The defense struck again early in the fourth quarter when DeShawn Anderson blocked a Kentucky State punt and George Bowser fell on the ball in the end zone. Robertson's interception provided the final defensive highlight.
The defense has been criticized all year for doing little. But on Saturday, it turned in its best game.
``We just decided we were going to go after them,'' Walton said. ``We blitzed 60 to 70 percent of the time.
``We wanted to goose-egg them, but we came out a little flat in the second half and that's the one series they scored.''
It wasn't enough to spoil anybody's good time.
``We had fun out there,'' Sparrow said. ``And it's all about having fun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Norfolk State wide receiver Darius Blount grabs a touchdown pass
from Aaron Sparrow over Kentucky State defensive back Greg Jones in
the third quarter.
Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Kentucky State's Kelmar Visor chases Norfolk State tailback Brian
Rountree, who scored a touchdown Saturday for his late father.
by CNB