THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609070470
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 69 lines
Like Superman's ``S,'' the No. 1 is worn with pride by Norfolk State senior wide receiver Darius Blount.
``Kermit Buggs and Arthur Jimerson wore No. 1 and they were legends at Norfolk State,'' Blount, an alumnus of Maury High, said of the former all-CIAA picks. ``I wanted to be a big-play guy.''
During a season in which Blount is projected to be the key among a veteran group of receivers, it's truly his chance to be numero uno.
``I think he was overlooked and underrated by most fans and most opponents,'' coach Darnell Moore said of the 6-foot, 170-pound receiver. ``All everyone ever talked about in preparing for us was (James) Roe and (Aaron) Sparrow.
``People don't understand Roe was able to do what he did because they were unable to double-team him because of what Darius did.''
What Blount did was establish himself as a pivotal member of ``Wings'' - Norfolk State's corps of talented receivers.
As a sophomore, Blount was the team's second-leading receiver with 800 yards.
Last year, he had 20 less catches than in 1994, but still accumulated 597 receiving yards.
Going into this season, he was named to the preseason all-CIAA squad and he does not hesitate on discussing his aspirations for next year.
``I think it would be obvious for me to want to play on the next level,'' Blount said, hoping to follow Roe's path to the NFL. ``That's a big encouragement knowing that he's made it and he's trying to give me pointers on some of the things I need to work on.''
Roe, a member of the Baltimore Ravens, has emphasized a couple of ``musts'' to Blount: coming off the ball hard on every play and being persistent on running plays.
Blount is said to have good hands and a great ability to run patterns.
However, like Roe, the big question regarding Blount is his speed. He is said to run 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.
``He doesn't have breakaway speed but enough to get open and enough to do something after the catch,'' quarterback Robert Morris said.
But before Blount finishes his college career, he has some business to handle.
``I want to break one of James Roe's records and I want to break 1,000 yards,'' said Blount, who had five catches for 125 yards and one touchdown in last week's 24-15 loss to Virginia State. ``I can't let `Nonie' have all the records. I want to have one for myself.''
Many of Roe's records are out of Blount's reach: career yards (4,468), career games with a touchdown (26) and career receptions (239). The one record within Blount's grasp is consecutive games with a touchdown.
Blount's 6-yard touchdown reception from Morris in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's loss gave him touchdowns in five straight games. If Blount scores in the next 10 games, he will tie Roe's Division II mark of 15.
But regardless of breaking or tying a Roe record, Blount has come a long way in the last five years.
He did not achieve a satisfactory score on his SAT in 1991 and came to Norfolk State as a walk-on two years later.
``When I first came in as a walk-on, I felt I had to prove myself as a receiver,'' said Blount, a social work major, who had 175 yards on 12 catches as a freshman. ``I was the fourth receiver on the depth chart. Right now, I think I have proven myself to be one of the best receivers in the league.''
Maybe before season's end, he will prove himself to be No. 1. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``I wanted to be a big-play guy,'' said NSU's Darius Blount, who
chose to wear the storied No. 1. by CNB