DATE: Wednesday, November 5, 1997           TAG: 9711050486

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: PAUL WHITE

                                            LENGTH:   68 lines

MEAC ROUNDUP

Defensive failings on third-and-long killing the Spartans

It's too bad Norfolk State doesn't play in the Canadian Football League, where teams punt after two downs. Because here in the good ol' USA, the Spartans have been getting killed defensively in third-down situations.

Howard converted six of nine first-half third-down opportunities against the Spartans during Saturday's 32-24 Howard victory at Price Stadium, including one third-and-11, a third-and-14, a third-and-17 and a third-and-25. And the Bison's final touchdown, coming courtesy of Ted White's MEAC-record 59th TD pass, came on third-and-six.

Obviously, the Spartans must be doing something right to force so many third-and-long situations. But their inability to close out a series has obscured their otherwise solid work defensively, head coach Darnell Moore said.

``We didn't make plays,'' he said. ``Guys simply have got to make the plays.''

Hampton U. closing in on a share of MEAC title

Hampton (7-1, 4-0 MEAC) can clinch at least a share of the MEAC title Saturday with a win at Bethune-Cookman, coupled with a loss by second-place South Carolina State (7-1, 3-1) at Howard.

The Pirates were idle Saturday; Bethune-Cookman scored a touchdown in the final 18 seconds to cap a furious rally and nip North Carolina A&T 26-25 for its first conference victory of the season. The Wildcats trailed 25-7 with 11:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Second-half strategy pays dividends for NSU

Norfolk State decided to get its tight end involved in the passing game during Saturday's second half, and it worked splendidly as Scott Bess caught six passes for 60 yards after the break.

Heading into Saturday's game, Norfolk State tight ends had caught only five passes all season.

``We went to an unbalanced line, and once we got our running game rolling, we were able to hit the tight end over the middle,'' Moore said. ``We knew that would be open.''

S.C. State tackle sets mark for career sacks

The career touchdown-pass mark wasn't the only MEAC record to fall last weekend. South Carolina State defensive tackle Chartric Darby finished Saturday's 37-17 victory over Delaware State with an all-time best 34.5 career sacks.

The previous standard was 34 by former Bulldog Anthony Cook.

Big game of the week: Southern at Florida A&M

The sexiest matchup involving a MEAC team Saturday takes place in Tallahassee, where Florida A&M hosts unbeaten SWAC leader Southern.

Southern (8-0) is the top-ranked team in the Sheridan Black College Poll and is ranked No. 6 in the latest Sports Network Division I-AA poll.

Southern has beaten the Rattlers three straight times. The Rattlers check in at No. 14 in the Division I-AA poll.

Hampton (No. 12) and South Carolina State (No. 19) are the MEAC's other Top 25 teams.

Liberty (7-1), ranked No. 22, will visit Norfolk State for the Spartans' homecoming game. It is the first meeting between the two schools, and the fourth ranked opponent Norfolk State has faced this season.

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