THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508260513
SECTION: FOOTBALL '95 PAGE: Z18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COLLEGE FORECAST
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Norfolk State's ``End Zone Express'' was virtually unstoppable last year, averaging 34.5 points per game.
The defense rarely stopped anybody, setting a dubious school record of its own in allowing 31 points a game.
It made for some exciting outcomes, like the 50-48 thriller over Winston-Salem State.
It also made first-year head coach Darnell Moore queasy. Dennis Winston, the Spartans' defensive coordinator a year ago, was one of Archie ``Gunslinger'' Cooley's last hires. In Moore's debut as head coach and Winston's debut as defensive coordinator, the Spartans were trounced by Virginia State, 54-6.
After numerous philosophical differences between Moore and Winston, the two agreed on one simple point: They couldn't agree on much else and should part ways.
In Winston's place is James Garland, former defensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo.
``I spent a lot of time talking to him on the phone and was considering him as a positions coach,'' Moore said. ``We talked a lot of football and the more we talked, the more impressed I was with his knowledge and his confidence in what he wants to get done.''
At Buffalo, Garland's defensive unit prided itself on stopping the run. Garland hopes that carries over to the Spartans.
``The CIAA, except for maybe two teams, is a run-oriented league,'' Garland said, noting that the Spartans gave up an average of 237 yards on the ground. ``Our goal is to limit teams to an average of 130 yards rushing.''
Garland inherited a defensive squad returning eight starters. But only four are slated to start when the Spartans open Saturday against Virginia State in a matchup of two of the favorites to win the CIAA title.
The game will be telecast locally on WAVY-TV and nationally on cable by Prime Network.
Much of the defensive unit's new blood comes from intense recruiting. Many of the newest Spartans - such as free safety Theo Roach and outside linebacker Sunnil Motley - are expected to play key roles.
``My goal is to put the best 11 out there, focusing on foot speed, tackling and getting to the ball,'' Garland said.
That will undoubtably leave incumbents on the sidelines.
``Some are responding to the challenge,'' Garland said of the returning starters whose jobs are in jeopardy. ``Some aren't. The guys who are stepping up still have a chance.''
Whether new or returning, Garland is stressing that the defensive unit put its trust in the game plan.
``They've got to know where they fit into the scheme,'' Garland said. ``They've got to know where their help is. And they've got to believe in each other.''
Maybe they should take lessons from the offense.
There has been minor tinkering - left tackle Kenny McDaniel has moved to left guard and sophomore Cornelias Biagas is in at left tackle - but the bottom line is 10 starters return offensively.
An 11th, tight end Ronald Boone, broke his elbow in last year's opener and missed the season. His return is a welcome sight for quarterback Aaron Sparrow, last year's CIAA Offensive Player of the Year.
``He's a big target,'' said Sparrow, who threw for a school-record 3,212 yards in 1994. ``He's what, 6-foot-5? I can definitely see him going across the middle. Plus, he's my roommate.''
Boone will be part of an active four-man receiving corps that includes Darius Blount, Marty Conner and All-American candidate James Roe, who caught 77 passes for 1,454 yards and 17 touchdowns.
``Boone will help spread out the defense,'' Roe said. ``You can't just pick up the wide receiver on his side. You've got to put someone on him. That'll give the rest of us more of a cushion.''
If Sparrow is given enough time, he should be able to pick defenses apart. He was sacked 28 times a year ago. But the offensive line came together near the end of last season.
``We had our problems now and then,'' Sparrow said. ``But overall, we're much improved.''
After the preseason loss of tailback Jeff Henderson last season, the Spartans ran sparingly, averaging just 51 yards rushing per game.
John Quinerly returns at tailback, but Moore expects the duties to be shared with junior college transfer Jerry Davis.
``Jerry has to learn the system,'' Moore said. ``But he brings 4.3 speed to the mix.''
A key ingredient in that mix is Roe, who is being looked at closely by NFL scouts.
``I can't believe there's a better receiver in college ball at any level,'' Moore said. ``People want to know how fast he is. He's fast enough that he's not going to be caught from behind.''
If the Spartans beat Virginia State in their opener, the same might be said of Norfolk State. MEMO: Special Section ILLUSTRATION: Photos
PAUL AIKEN/Staff
Aaron Sparrow threw for 3,212 yards in '94 and was named CIAA
Offensive Player of the Year.
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
James Roe caught 77 passes for 1,454 yards and 17 TDs a year ago.
NFL scouts have taken notice.
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