THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140466
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Norfolk State defensive coordinator James Garland was pleasantly surprised when Chris Hall showed up at his office door the other day. Typically, college football players show up unannounced to grouse about a lack of playing time or to discuss a personal problem.
Hall wanted to know how he could improve his play at strong-side linebacker. Following his performance against Bowie State in a 27-12 victory, it was an unusual request.
Hall was all over the place. He caused a fumble by Bowie State quarterback Darrell Foote in the first quarter that was recovered by teammate Jacento Scott. He snuffed a draw play by Topper Ellis, also in the first quarter, for a 1-yard loss.
In the third quarter Hall dropped running back Andrew Smith for a 3-yard loss. Forced into a passing situation, Foote was intercepted on the next play by Donald Broussard.
What could Hall improve upon? Garland was quick with an answer: pursuit.
``One thing about Chris is, he's real enthusiastic and wants the play to come to him and is real active when it does,'' Garland said. ``He's not as active when it's away from him. But you're going to make big plays when you pursue plays. That's why Jacento recovered the fumble Chris caused. He didn't give up on the play.''
Head coach Darnell Moore is just happy to have a healthy Hall back in the lineup. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hall injured a knee prior to last season's opener and missed the first five games. He returned for the Spartans' sixth game against Hampton, but turned an ankle in the first quarter and missed three more weeks.
``We had him for all of about a game and a half,'' Moore said. ``We've already gotten more play out of him this season. I've always expected big things from him. He's explosive. And that's some of what we were missing last year.''
Even Moore was surprised, however, to hear Hall had stopped by Garland's office for pointers.
``More often than not, kids think they played better than they actually did,'' Moore said.
ON THE TROJAN HORSE: Virginia State is off to a 2-0 start, and quarterback Rodney Granger, impressive in the Trojans' season-opening 41-22 victory against Norfolk State, was even more dazzling in a 47-18 thrashing of Johnson C. Smith.
Granger, from Portsmouth's Norcom High School, threw touchdown passes of 18, 19, 20 and 15 yards to four receivers - Tony Lanier, Gary Warren, Jovelle Tillman and Darren Thornton.
Virginia State coach Lou Anderson says he noticed a difference in Granger in spring workouts, a difference that carried over into the fall.
``He began to understand exactly what we wanted to get done,'' Anderson said. ``He started seeing things you see as a coach and hope a player sees.''
Although Granger threw for 301 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run, Winston-Salem State's Richard Huntley was named CIAA offensive back of the week following a 303-yard rushing performance in a 47-21 loss to Division I-AA North Carolina A&T.
``I don't know how they go about selecting it,'' Anderson said, ``but Huntley had a great day. Hopefully Rodney will get one before the season ends.''
THE HUNT IS ON: Huntley's assault on the Division II rushing record book was in high gear in his performance against North Carolina A&T.
Huntley jumped six spots on the all-time Division II chart and ranks sixth with 4,872 yards. With eight games remaining - the Rams host Elizabeth City State on Saturday - Huntley needs 1,448 yards to surpass Johnny Bailey as Division II's all-time leading rusher. That's an average of 181 yards per game. Huntley is averaging 237 yards through two games this season.
Bailey also leads all NCAA divisions in career yards. Huntley ranks 25th in all divisions.
Don't be surprised if Huntley is a first-round NFL draft pick. Every NFL team has sent a scout to eyeball the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder. They could have saved themselves a trip and just asked A&T coach Bill Hayes for a synopsis.
``I've never seen a running back run for 300 yards,'' Hayes said. ``I've coached some great running backs and I've played against some great ones, but I've never seen a running back with that kind of ability. He's got the quickest feet I've ever seen.''
AROUND THE CIAA: Norfolk State's Jerry Davis, who ran for 154 yards in his Spartans debut, was named CIAA newcomer of the week.
Other weekly award winners include Huntley (offensive back), Winston-Salem State's John Robinson (offensive lineman), Virginia Union's David Parson (receiver), N.C. Central's James Grant (defensive lineman), Fayetteville State's Peter Steele (defensive back) and Elizabeth City State's George Moody (coach). by CNB