THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996 TAG: 9611020586
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 33 lines
Norfolk State's ``Interception Squad'' will face a severe test today when the Spartans meet Howard University and its vaunted air attack, featuring Ted ``Sweet Flight'' White.
The Spartans have picked off 17 passes this season, the primary reason NSU is plus-7 in turnovers. Four of those interceptions have been returned for touchdowns.
But White, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore, is the most talented quarterback the Spartans will face.
White has thrown for 1,709 yards and 21 touchdowns, three shy of the Bison single-season record of 24, set by Jay Walker in 1993.
White ranks second in Division I-AA in passing efficiency (174.3 rating) and seventh in total offense (258.7 yards per game).
``We're going to need some big pressure from our front four,'' said NSU coach Darnell Moore. ``It will be an interesting matchup in terms of passing. But if we can maximize our possession time and limit theirs, then we'll force them to do some things they might not want to do.''
This is the third of four games the Spartans have against competition from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the league the Spartans hope to join seven months from now when they move from Division II to Division I-AA.
NSU already has beaten MEAC members Bethune-Cookman 41-29 and Delaware State 27-23.
The Bison, however, boast a 5-2 record with their only losses a 55-27 setback at Marshall, the top-ranked I-AA team and a 21-20 defeat to Florida A&M, which leads the MEAC standings. by CNB