THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509220235
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 35 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
GEORGE MOODY, head football coach at Elizabeth City State University, has plenty to smile about these days.
Last week the Vikings upped their record to 3-0 with a dramatic last second upset over Winston-Salem State, a team which CIAA coaches predicted would win the conference.
Moody, an amiable guy to begin with, joked with campus security as he walked up the bleachers at Roebuck Stadium to talk about the first three weeks of the season. He watched his team on the practice field with the knowledge that they were ranked 20th in the nation among NCAA Division II teams.
``The only good thing about being ranked is when it's at the end of the season,'' Moody said with a laugh and a puff on his cigarette. ``But don't get me wrong. We earned it and we deserve it.''
ECSU knocked off the Rams when quarterback Kenny Crump tossed a 15-yard swing pass to running back Aaron Murchison. Murchison rambled 15 yards and reached the end zone with just four seconds to play for the 22-19 win.
Crump led the Vikings offense down the field 86 yards in 46 seconds for the winning score. He was flawless, completing all of his passes during the drive.
Moody attributes ECSU's early season success, ironically, to its defense. Defensive coordinator Stanley Whitehurst changed jobs just two weeks before the season started. Last year he was the offensive coordinator. After three games, the Vikings had the best defense in the CIAA.
``The defense has really stepped it up two notches,'' Moody said. ``We have some veteran guys out there. Whitehurst's personality is obvious in the defense. They're reckless. They go at you.''
The Vikings have also had their skill players around long enough for them to learn Moody's system. Murchison is a junior, as well as Crump and running backs Malcolm Mackey and Abe Jones. Running back Lamont Avent is a sophomore, but saw action last year.
``I call it `OJT' - On the job training,'' Moody said. ``For two years they have taken the lumps. Now they know the system.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Coach George Moody says his team deserves to be ranked 20th in its
division.
by CNB