THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050549
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 67 lines
Norfolk State was hoping senior Calvin Williams could be the glue to an otherwise new offensive line. But those thoughts crumpled when Williams suffered medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament injuries in Saturday's 24-15 loss to Virginia State, ending the senior's season.
``It really affected us but though we are inexperienced, we protected Robert (Morris),'' Williams' replacement, guard Winston Stewart, said of the Spartans' quarterback.
With the addition of Stewart, a redshirt freshman from Cox High, the Spartans' line consists of all sophomores.
Joining Stewart at guard is David Fabrizius. At center is Cornelias Biagas, who missed all of last season after being injured in the season opener. At tackle are Eric Musgrove, who switched from defensive tackle, and transfer Michael Early, who played his first college game Saturday.
Whew.
``Overall, we did a pretty good job,'' offensive line coach Jonathan Cannon said. ``There's a few things we have to correct and they will be corrected.''
Norfolk State had the ball almost four minutes longer than the Trojans, ran 11 more plays and had 14 more total yards. However, Cannon was concerned with other numbers: the five sacks allowed for 34 yards and the four holding penalties.
``We have to work on a lot of little things and I think that comes from being inexperienced,'' Cannon said.
INJURY REPORT: Losing a starter in the opener is nothing new for the Spartans. They have lost a one to injury in the Virginia State game for four straight years.
In 1993, running back Jeff Henderson began the trend when he injured his knee and missed the rest of the season. The following year, he reinjured his knee and missed most of his senior season.
Also in 1994, tight end Ronald Boone broke his arm in the opener and sat out the remainder of the season. Biagas then injured his back against the Trojans last season.
``People lose somebody all the time,'' coach Darnell Moore said. ``That's part of football.''
Moore pointed out that Virginia State had three starters come out of Saturday's game, including quarterback Rodney Granger, a Norcom High alumnus.
But as far as the Spartans are concerned, the season-ending injuries don't stop at Calvin Williams.
Sophomore slot back Clarence Henderson injured his anterior cruciate ligament during Saturday's game and is expected to be lost for the season.
Fullback Christopher Williams had surgery on his left knee last week and also is expected to miss the season. He injured his knee during a contact drill.
Moore stated during the preseason that the team, particularly the defense, would be OK if it stayed away from injuries. His thoughts a month later:
``Losing the game was bad but the total injuries concerned me more. Injuries can decimate a team, but we have to play with what and who we have healthy.''
Linebacker Andre Nixon, who was feared to miss the opener after sustaining partially torn ligaments during camp, started against Virginia State and was in on five tackles.
GOOD CROWD: Saturday's announced crowd of 28,758 was the biggest Labor Day Classic draw between Norfolk State and Virginia State. The attendance was the largest Foreman Field crowd since Virginia Union defeated the Spartans 30-23 in October 1990 before a crowd of 29,317. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Senior Calvin Williams was felled by knee injuries in the opening
loss to Virginia State. by CNB