THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996 TAG: 9609010275
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 58 lines
Although it's hardly fair to compare a quarterback making his first start to a two-time CIAA offensive player of the year, Robert Morris' debut as Norfolk State's starter Saturday night did evoke memories of Aaron Sparrow's Labor Day Classic exploits.
Alas, those are among the few memories of Sparrow that Spartans fans would just as soon forget.
An admittedly nervous Morris suffered through a 16-of-35, two-interception night in Norfolk State's 24-15 loss to Virginia State, eerily similar to the 12-of-34, four-interception performance Sparrow turned in during last year's Classic.
``It didn't go the way I planned,'' a dejected Morris said after he'd tossed up just two fewer passes than he attempted all last season.
Signs that Morris might struggle were evident from Norfolk State's first offensive play, when Morris dropped back and launched a pass some 10 yards over the head of a wide-open Reggie Bureau.
Too much adrenaline?
``That's exactly what it was,'' Morris said.
Morris was also wild-high on his next attempt. He finished the first half having completed five of nine passes, but he clearly was still struggling to find his rhythm.
His second half was even more problematic. With the game slipping away, Morris began forcing the ball into tight coverages, with typically disastrous results. Morris' two second-half interceptions in Spartans territory led to 10 Virginia State points.
It wasn't until the Spartans were 17 points down midway through the fourth quarter that the junior began finding his rhythm. He completed seven of 10 passes (including one touchdown) in one stretch, all to Darius Blount.
``As the game went on, I started feeling more and more comfortable,'' Morris said. ``It's going to come together.''
Such a shaky outing from his quarterback was precisely what Norfolk State quarterback Darnell Moore sought to avoid in his team's debut. Besides simplifying the offense, Moore chose to emphasize the running game, particularly tailback John Quinerly.
Quinerly produced splendidly, churning out 94 first-half yards (119 for the game) and catching a 2-yard touchdown pass.
But without a consistent passing game complementing Quinerly, the Spartans were unable to achieve the offensive balance Moore says will be crucial to his team's success this season.
Morris' task was complicated further by Virginia State's ability to shut down All-CIAA tight end Ronald Boone by having a linebacker tie him up on the line.
``They were taking away the inside (routes), and we needed our outside guys to run things to free me up,'' Boone said. ``We started doing that in the second half.''
But while Boone finished with just two receptions for 18 yards, the junior said there's no reason to start questioning the Spartans' new offense - or, for that matter, its new quarterback.
``What happened happened,'' Boone said. ``I don't blame (Morris) for what he did. It was his first game. He'll come around. Hopefully, it'll be next week.'' by CNB