THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 31, 1996 TAG: 9608310712
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 71 lines
The adages are being uttered: defense wins titles; the road goes through the defending champion and so on and so forth.
But Norfolk State's defense is only concerned with one axiom tonight against Virginia State - whichever team allows the least points wins.
``We know we can stop them,'' senior linebacker Sunnil Motley said of Norfolk State's opponent in the sixth annual Labor Day Classic at Foreman Field. Virginia State averaged more than 38 points a game last season, second in the nation.
``Last year, we had them stopped, but we were on the field so much we got tired.''
Virginia State has won the last four games between the teams, which covers Darnell Moore's stint as an assistant and head coach for Norfolk State. And while he promises no victory tonight, Moore anticipates seeing the strongest Spartan defensive unit of his tenure this season.
``There isn't an offense that we're going to face that's going to put fear in our hearts,'' Moore said. ``I have confidence in our young men that they're more confident and fearless than they've been in the past.''
Moore expects that confidence and fearlessness to be displayed most prominently in defensive lineman John Green.
Moore suspects the 6-foot-5, 330-pound senior will draw a double-team on most plays because of his size and quick feet. Green is the only Spartan named to the all-CIAA preseason team.
``I'm really excited to get Virginia State in the dog pound and give it to them,'' Green said during the Spartans' final preseason workout.
Behind Green are senior linebackers Motley and Robert Johnson.
Moore believes each could benefit from the double-teams opponents will use on Green.
With the loss of the highly regarded trio of Aaron Sparrow, James Roe and Kenneth McDaniel on offense, Motley feels the defense has to become more productive.
``We have to produce a lot of turnovers and get the ball back to the offense,'' Motley said.
Like Norfolk State, Virginia Stateis known for its air game, sometimes lining up five receivers. Such a move tonight could provide an overwhelming challenge for the Spartans' young secondary.
``I'm not going to say I feel any pressure,'' sophomore strong safety Robert Weaver said.
``I say it's a challenge to step it up another notch.''
At right cornerback, the Spartans are going with another sophomore, Theo Roach.
But based on last year's performances and numbers, Moore feels comfortable with the unit he's putting on the field.
``If you look at the statistics from last year, we improved in every major category,'' Moore said.
Norfolk State's opponents got 1,146 fewer yards, 44 less first downs and 51 fewer points in 1995 than the previous season. And this was from a unit that did not have a defensive coordinator during spring workouts.
But from day one this season, the Spartans had a veteran calling the defensive plays.
George Moody is Norfolk State's defensive coordinator after being the head coach at Elizabeth City State for three years.
Another good sign for the defense is the possible return of Andre Nixon.
The senior linebacker sustained partially torn ligaments in his left knee last week and was feared to be out a couple of weeks. However, Nixon has practiced since Monday and could see some action tonight. ILLUSTRATION: Mike Heffner
The Virginian-Pilot
Color
Norfolk State cornerback Theo Roach listens to new defensive
coordinator George Moody, Elizabeth City State's former head coach. by CNB